Start a Free LLC in Connecticut

5 Steps on How to Form an LLC in Connecticut

To register an LLC in Connecticut, choose a distinguishable business name, appoint a Connecticut registered agent, and file your Certificate of Organization online through the Connecticut Business One Stop portal or by mail with the Secretary of the State, along with the mandatory $120 filing fee. To better understand, follow these detailed steps to start an LLC in Connecticut.

Step 1: Select a Business Name for Your LLC in Connecticut

Before you can register your LLC in Connecticut, you need to choose a business name that meets Connecticut's naming requirements. Adding a comma, swapping "and" for "&," or changing a single word usually isn't enough to make a name count as distinct.

To choose a Connecticut LLC name, keep these things in mind:

• Designator required: The name must contain "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," "LLC," "Limited Liability Co.," "Ltd. Liability Company," or "Ltd. Liability Co."

• Must read as your own entity: No wording that implies a purpose the LLC isn't actually organized for.

• Restricted words need clearance: Terms like "bank," "trust," "insurance," or "university" require the matching license or state approval before the name is accepted.

Before you file anything, check your proposed LLC name through the Connecticut Business Records Search.

• Simply enter the business name you want to use and click the “Search” icon.

• If any identical or similar business names appear, review the results carefully.

• If no conflicting names appear, you can proceed with your preferred name, subject to state approval.

That's the process to follow when checking whether a Connecticut business name is available. If your chosen Connecticut LLC name isn't available, Swyft Filings' free business name generator can suggest alternatives to reserve as backups.

Step 2: Appointment of Connecticut Registered Agent

The next step in how to form an LLC is appointing a registered agent. Every Connecticut LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a Connecticut street address.

Here are the basic requirements for a Connecticut registered agent:

• Age: At least 18 years old.

• Physical location: Must be an actual street address in Connecticut, including street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code.

• No P.O. Boxes: Post office boxes cannot be used as a registered agent address.

• Availability: Someone must be available at the address during normal business hours to accept legal mail or service of process.

• Public record: The agent's name and address are listed on public state filings and become part of the official state record.

• Consent required: The registered agent must accept the appointment as part of the Certificate of Organization filing.

Step 3: File Your Connecticut Certificate of Organization

This is the filing that actually creates your Connecticut LLC. Once you have chosen your name and appointed a registered agent, you officially register your LLC with the Connecticut Secretary of State by filing the Certificate of Organization, under Connecticut General Statutes § 34-247, the Connecticut Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.

*Wondering how to file your Certificate of Organization in Connecticut? You have two options:*

a) Online

Start an LLC online in Connecticut by creating an account and filing through the Connecticut Business One Stop portal. The filing fee for the Certificate of Organization is $120, and online filings are typically approved in 2–5 business days.

b) Mail

Download and complete the Certificate of Organization (Domestic LLC) form. Enclose a $120 check or money order made payable to "Secretary of the State" and send it to:

Commercial Recording Division,

Connecticut Secretary of the State,

P.O. Box 150470, Hartford,

CT 06115-0470

Mail filings generally take 1–2 weeks to process once they reach Hartford, though backlogs can extend that timeline.

Step 4: Get Your EIN Directly From the IRS

Once your Connecticut LLC is officially formed, the next step is to obtain an Employer Identification Number. For most LLC owners, applying for an EIN is straightforward and can be done directly through the IRS. You generally do not need to pay a third-party service to obtain one.

An EIN is generally necessary if your Connecticut LLC:

• Has employees.
• Is taxed as a corporation or partnership.
• Needs to file certain federal tax returns.
• Operates a business bank account that requires an EIN.
• Is subject to certain federal excise tax requirements.

Step 5: Create a Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement

Once your Connecticut LLC is formed, it's a good idea to put an Operating Agreement in writing. Connecticut law does not require you to file an Operating Agreement with the Secretary of State. However, having one in writing can help establish clear rules for ownership, management, and decision-making before disagreements or lender requirements arise.

Here's what a solid Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement typically covers in detail:

• Company basics: The Connecticut LLC's legal name, principal business address, and a statement of its purpose.

• Ownership stakes: Each member's name, contact information, and the amount of money or property they contributed to start the business.

• Member contributions: A more detailed breakdown of exactly what each member put in, including cash, equipment, property, or services, and how that contribution translates into their ownership share.

• Management structure: Whether the Connecticut LLC is member-managed (owners run day-to-day operations directly) or manager-managed (owners appoint one or more managers, who may or may not be members, to run things). Connecticut doesn't default to either, so this needs to be spelled out.

• Voting rights: How decisions get made, whether voting power is distributed equally among members or weighted by ownership percentage, and what threshold (majority, supermajority, unanimous) is needed for different types of decisions.

• Member responsibilities: The specific roles, duties, and day-to-day obligations of each member or manager, so expectations are documented rather than assumed.

• Profit and loss distribution: How and when earnings and losses are split among members. This doesn't have to match ownership percentage exactly, but it needs to be defined somewhere, and this is that place.

• Adding or removing members: The process for bringing in a new member or handling a member's exit, whether through voluntary departure, buyout, or something else.

• Exit strategies: Rules covering how a member can transfer or sell their interest, buyout terms if one member wants to leave, and what triggers those provisions.

• Dissolution: What happens if the Connecticut LLC needs to wind down and how remaining assets get distributed among members after debts are settled.

Once the Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement is drafted, every member should review it, sign and date their copy, and keep it in a secure location alongside the rest of your LLC's business records.

If drafting one from scratch isn't appealing, Swyft can turn a short questionnaire into a custom operating agreement built around how the LLC actually runs.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for an LLC in Connecticut?

Now that you know how to form an LLC in Connecticut, the next step is to stay on top of your post-formation compliance requirements and keep your LLC in good standing.

Confirm What Licenses Your Connecticut LLC Business Needs

Forming the LLC in Connecticut doesn't automatically clear it to operate. Depending on the industry, separate state, county, or town licenses may still apply, and the requirements aren't centralized.

Start with the activity, not the entity type: what exactly will the business sell or do?

• Check state licensing through the Connecticut License Information Center for industry-specific requirements.

• Check locally, since town and city permits often apply on top of any state license.

• Check federally, for regulated industries like transportation, alcohol, or firearms.

If you are unsure where to start, Swyft Filings’ Business License Research service can help. Our team reviews your business details against federal, state, and local licensing requirements and, based on that review, you will receive a customized report with verified requirements and direct application links.

Track Your Annual Report Deadline

This is the one recurring filing every Connecticut LLC has to watch. Every Connecticut LLC must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State.

• Window: Open January 1, due by March 31 every year.

• Cost: $80 for a domestic or foreign LLC, filed electronically.

• First report: Due the year after your LLC is formed, not the year you file.

• Consequence for skipping it: Falling out of compliance puts your LLC's good standing at risk and can eventually lead to administrative dissolution.

Because the LLC annual report must be filed electronically and confirms your registered agent, principal office address, and NAICS code, it's easy to overlook it when working from an older checklist.

Looking for professional help with annual report filing?

Swyft Filings’ Annual Report Filing Package starts at $99 + state fees. We collect and securely store your business information for future filings, identify and complete the correct state-specific forms, manually review your information before submission, and file your report directly with the appropriate state agency. You’ll also have dedicated support available to help answer your questions.

Open a Business Bank Account

Once your Connecticut LLC is formed and you have your EIN, open a dedicated business bank account. Keeping business and personal finances separate isn't a state filing requirement, but it's an important practice; it makes bookkeeping easier and helps demonstrate that the LLC operates as a separate legal entity from its owners, which matters if your liability protection is ever challenged.

Most Connecticut banks will ask for your EIN confirmation letter, a copy of your filed Certificate of Organization, and sometimes your Operating Agreement to open the account. For a detailed reference, consider reading "How to Open a Business Bank Account in 2026."

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Connecticut?

DIY vs. Swyft Filings: Connecticut LLC Formation Differences

Starting an LLC in Connecticut yourself is possible, but it takes time, research, and follow-up. Here’s how forming a Connecticut LLC on your own compares with using Swyft Filings:

*Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about forming an LLC in Connecticut and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*