Filed with
Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division
Document
Certificate of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Connecticut LLC
Connecticut LLC name checker →The name must contain "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC" ("Limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "Company" may be abbreviated "Co."). It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Connecticut register.
Check it against Connecticut's naming rules with our name checker before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Connecticut LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Connecticut, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Certificate of Organization
Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division →The Certificate of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division, which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Connecticut operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Connecticut business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Connecticut requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Connecticut sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Connecticut LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →Connecticut LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and March 31 each year.
Worth knowing in Connecticut
- Connecticut's Business Entity Tax ended for tax periods beginning after December 31, 2018.
- An LLC behind on annual reports cannot get a Certificate of Legal Existence and may be administratively dissolved after more than one year in default.
- The Certificate of Organization requires a six-digit NAICS code, an entity email address and at least one member or manager.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division and pay the state fee, act as your Connecticut registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Connecticut?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Connecticut, and file a Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Connecticut?
Connecticut charges a filing fee for the Certificate of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399, with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. See our Connecticut LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Connecticut LLC have to file an annual report?
Connecticut LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and March 31 each year.
What is the Certificate of Organization?
The document filed with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Connecticut, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Connecticut?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Connecticut and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
