Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.
Starting a Connecticut LLC, step-by-step
Starting a Connecticut LLC costs $120. And it takes 3 days to get an LLC in Connecticut.
Here are the 5 steps to forming an LLC in Connecticut:
- Choose an LLC Name
- Select a Registered Agent
- File a Certificate of Organization
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
If you want to form your LLC yourself, follow our free guide below.
If you want someone to take care of it for you, we recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(We recommend Northwest. We've reviewed all the top companies in the industry. And Northwest is our #1 pick for prices, customer support, and address privacy. Check out Northwest vs LegalZoom to learn more.)
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Connecticut?
It costs $120 to start an LLC in Connecticut.
And then it costs $80 per year.
What are these fees for?
- The $120 is to file the Certificate of Organization – the document that creates an LLC.
- The $80 per year is for your Annual Report – a mandatory filing that keeps your LLC in good standing.
To learn more about LLC Costs, see LLC Costs in Connecticut.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Connecticut?
If you file your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 7-10 business days (plus mail time).
But if you file online, your LLC will be approved in 2-3 business days.
Please see How long does it take to get an LLC in Connecticut to check for any delays.
Here are the steps to forming an LLC in Connecticut
1. Search your LLC Name
Search your Connecticut LLC Name to make sure it’s available in the state.
You need to do this because two businesses in the state can’t have the same name.
First, search your business name and compare it to existing businesses in Connecticut. You can make sure the LLC Name you want is unique from existing businesses using the Business Records Search.
Second, familiarize yourself with the Connecticut LLC naming guidelines (so your Connecticut LLC gets approved).
We’ll explain both in more detail here: Connecticut LLC Name.
2. Choose a Connecticut Registered Agent
The next step is to choose a Connecticut Registered Agent.
A Connecticut Registered Agent is a person or company who accepts legal mail and state notices on behalf of your Connecticut Limited Liability Company.
Who can be an LLC Registered Agent?
You have 3 options for who can be the Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member
- A Registered Agent Service
The Registered Agent for your LLC must have a physical street address in Connecticut. PO Boxes aren’t allowed.
And the Registered Agent’s name and address will be listed on public records.
If you don’t have an address in Connecticut, or you want more privacy, you can hire a Registered Agent Service for your LLC.
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent
Our favorite feature about Northwest is they’ll let you use their office address throughout your LLC filing. This way, you can keep your address off public records.
They’ll also scan any mail sent to your LLC and upload it to your online account.
Northwest has excellent customer service, and they’re who we trust to be our own Registered Agent.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
3. File Connecticut LLC Certificate of Organization
To start an LLC, you need to file the Connecticut Certificate of Organization.
This gets filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
The Connecticut Certificate of Organization costs $120 if you file online.
This is a one-time fee to create your LLC.
If you want to file this yourself, see our step-by-step guide: Connecticut Certificate of Organization.
Or, you can hire a company to do it for you.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
4. Create a Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement
A Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement serves as a “companion” document to the Certificate of Organization.
The Certificate of Organization creates your LLC, and the Operating Agreement shows who owns the LLC.
Additionally, some banks require an Operating Agreement when you open an LLC bank account.
And having an Operating Agreement will be very helpful if you ever end up in court. Reason being, it helps prove that your LLC is being run properly.
That’s why we recommend that all LLCs have an Operating Agreement – including Single-Member LLCs.
Furthermore, an Operating Agreement is an “internal document“. Meaning, you don’t need to file it with the state or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Just keep a copy with your business records.
You can download a free template below.
Then, learn how to fill it out by watching our step-by-step Connecticut Operating Agreement video.
5. Get an EIN for your LLC
The next step is to get a Connecticut EIN Number from the IRS for your LLC.
Note: An EIN Number is also called a Federal Tax ID Number or Federal Employer Identification Number.
An EIN Number is used to:
- identify your LLC for tax purposes
- open a business bank account
- apply for business licenses and permits
How much does an EIN cost?
Getting an EIN Number from the IRS is completely free.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you apply online, it takes 15 minutes.
If you apply by mail or fax, it can take 1-3 months.
How can I get an EIN?
US Citizens/US Residents: If you have an SSN or ITIN, you can apply for an EIN online. Follow these instructions: Apply for an EIN online.
Non-US Residents: You can’t get an EIN online, but you can still get one by fax or by mail. Follow these instructions: How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.
What do I do after my LLC is approved?
After your Connecticut LLC is approved, there are some additional steps.
Open an LLC business bank account
You’ll want to open a business bank account for your LLC.
This makes accounting and record-keeping much easier for your business finances.
Having a separate bank account for your LLC also maintains your personal liability protection. This is because it keeps your business finances separate from your personal finances.
Get Connecticut business licenses and permits
Good news, Connecticut doesn’t have a state general business license.
However, you do have to register with the Department of Revenue and get a Connecticut State Tax Identification Number.
This state tax ID is required to do business in the state, and is different from your LLC’s federal EIN number.
And depending on where your LLC is located, you may need a local business license or permit.
For example, if you want to start a daycare, you may need a business license from the city or county.
You can learn more on our Connecticut Business License page.
File your Connecticut LLC Annual Report
All Connecticut LLCs must file an Annual Report every year.
The Annual Report keeps your LLC in good standing with the state.
How much does a Connecticut LLC Annual Report cost?
The Annual Report filing fee is $80 per year.
When is the Annual Report due?
Your LLC’s Annual Report is due by March 31st, every year.
When is my first Annual Report due?
Your first Annual Report is due the year after your LLC was approved.
For example, if your LLC was approved on February 15, 2023, your first Annual Report is due by March 31, 2024.
How do I file my LLC Annual Report?
You can file your report online or by mail. We recommend the online filing because it’s easier to complete.
Follow our step-by-step guide here: Connecticut LLC Annual Report.
File and pay taxes
LLCs don’t pay federal taxes. Instead, the LLC Members pay the taxes for the LLC.
Said another way, the owners pay taxes for the LLC as a part of their personal tax return.
How will my LLC be taxed?
By default, a Connecticut LLC is taxed by the IRS based on the number of owners your LLC has:
- A Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship.
- A Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership.
Alternatively, you can ask the IRS to tax your LLC like a C-Corporation or S-Corporation.
Besides federal taxes, there are also state and local income taxes – and sales tax. Learn more in Connecticut LLC Taxes.
How to Start an LLC in Connecticut FAQs
Can I start an LLC online in Connecticut?
Yes, you can file your LLC online in Connecticut. The Certificate of Organization filing fee is $120.
When you start your LLC online, it will be approved in 2-3 business days.
What are the benefits of an LLC?
The first benefit of an LLC is protecting your personal assets. Meaning, if your business is sued, your personal assets – like your home, cars, and bank accounts – are protected.
This protection applies to all LLC owners (called LLC Members). It doesn’t matter if you have a Single-Member LLC or Multi-Member LLC. All of the LLC owners are protected from the business debts and liabilities.
This type of protection wouldn’t apply if you operate as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership. With these types of informal business structures, the owners aren’t protected in the event of a lawsuit. For that reason, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a much more popular business structure.
Another benefit is LLC pass-through taxation. This means the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Instead, the profits “pass through” to the LLC Members. And the Members pay the taxes on their personal tax return.
And Connecticut state income taxes are very similar, since the state honors the federal tax treatment of your LLC.
To learn more, please see How are LLCs taxed.
Is Connecticut a good state to start an LLC?
Whether Connecticut is a good state to start an LLC depends on where you live – and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Connecticut, then you should start your LLC in Connecticut. While many websites talk about tax rates and advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business.
For example, if you form an LLC in Delaware, but live in and conduct business in Connecticut, you’ll also need to register your Delaware LLC in Connecticut (and pay extra fees). And you’ll end up paying Connecticut taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you live in and conduct business in Connecticut, then yes, Connecticut is a good state to start a business. If you don’t live in and do business in Connecticut, then no, Connecticut isn’t a good state to start a business.
Real estate exception: If you’re purchasing real estate outside of Connecticut, you should form your LLC in the state where the property is located.
For more information, please see Best State to Form an LLC.
What is the difference between a Domestic LLC, a Foreign LLC, and a PLLC?
The main differences between Domestic LLCs, Foreign LLCs, and Professional LLCs are where they are formed and their business purpose.
A Domestic Limited Liability Company is an LLC that is formed in its “home state”, meaning, where the business owner lives and does business.
For example, if you live in and do business in Georgia, you would form your Domestic LLC in Georgia.
A Foreign Limited Liability Company is an LLC that is formed in a state that isn’t its home state. In this case, the term “foreign” simply means that the LLC is foreign to its “home state”.
For example, if you live in and do business in Georgia, you would form your Domestic LLC in Georgia. If you later expand into Florida, you would register your existing Georgia LLC as a Foreign LLC in Florida.
Said another way, LLCs are created at the state-level.
And if you want your LLC to do business in two separate states, you have to form or register an LLC in both states.
This works by forming a Domestic LLC in your home state, and a Foreign LLC in the other state.
What is a Connecticut PLLC?
A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a type of LLC formed for the purpose of providing “professional services”.
In this case, “professional” refers to business types that require special permissions (like a license, registration, or certification from the state) in order to do business legally.
For example, architects, attorneys, and social work counselors, doctors, and veterinarians are required to register their businesses as PLLCs.
You can read more about PLLCs, their availability, and their stricter requirements in: What’s a Professional LLC?
And for more information on Foreign and Domestic LLCs, please see:
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
CONNECTICUT LLC GUIDE
Follow the lessons below to form your Connecticut LLC.
Hi,
I am creating a new LLC in CT and dissolve my previous one. I can use the same name? Or can use the name as DBA?
A lot of people know my business by the name so I want to use the same name on the store front
Hi!
Love your site, super helpful in creating my CT LLC. One problem…I got to the payment screen and it gave me an error message when I hit process. I checked my card and the payment it pending but I haven’t gotten a success email. I tried to process again and now it is spinning circle of death. Do I need to redo everything?
Thanks!
Thanks Elizabeth! Did you end up getting this resolved? If the payment hasn’t been refunded, there’s a chance the filing went through. I’d call the Connecticut Secretary of State in that case to confirm.
Hi if i want to have my business name as an acronym for example L.e.L.e when I register it for the llc should I lead with the full meaning of the acronym and the the short hand in parenthesis or the other way around
Hi Patrick, neither. If your LLC wants to do business under a shortened/abbreviated version of its full, legal name, it will need to register a DBA/Doing Business As (aka Trade Name). For example, if you form an LLC called “Lee Ester, Lee Ester, LLC”, you’d then file a Trade Name called “L.e.L.e.”. Hope that helps.
yes that was a huge help and clarified so much for me. Would I do that at the same time when creating the llc or a separate transaction.
Hi Patrick, you would first form the LLC and wait for it to be approved. Then the LLC would file for the Trade Name.
Hi Matt,
I’ve been finding it difficult to form an LLC anonymously in CT. Whether or not you register as a domestic LLC or foreign LLC, they require the residential address of at least one member or principal. So for single-member LLCs there is no way to protect your privacy. Do you think I could protect my anonymity if I first form a revocable trust and then name the trust as the only member/principal when creating the LLC? Does CT allow this? I’m not trying to dodge any responsibilities by doing so, I just like being private. Thanks for the informative site.
Hi Scarlett, you could have the LLC Member be an out-of-state LLC (i.e. a New Mexico LLC, which doesn’t have an Annual Report requirement) or a Trust. The Connecticut Certificate of Organization and the Annual Report do require a “principal” (see LLC Member vs LLC Manager) to be listed, so it could just be another LLC’s name or a Trust’s name. Either one is allowed. There are no restrictions on who can be members in Connecticut. Hope that helps.
i’m looking at getting into LLC’s for rental property. i would like to use the street address as the name of the LLC, but i can’t form the name before i purchase property which i don’t know if i would even be able to without forming a LLC first and applying for loans through the LLC. any thoughts?
Hi John, if the contract is assignable, you, as buyer, can be “John Doe and/or assigns”. Once you find the property and have an agreement of sale in place, you’d form the LLC (since you have the address now). Then you’d assign the contract to your LLC. Ask the lender if they can work with something like that. Title company, too. Hope that helps.
Hello Matt,
Thanks for the great job explaining the LLC instructions and formation.
My question is are you do the same with Non Profit Organization, or if you know any link you can direct or send to me please.
Best Regards,
Gilbert
HI MATT
YESTERDAY I WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP A PLLC USING YOUR GUIDANCE. IT SEEMED TO GO THROUGH, ATLEAST I GOT AN EMAIL INDICATING SUCH. TODAY I TRIED TO FIND MY INFO ON LINE AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE VANISHED. I’M GOING TO START OVER, FRUSTRATED.
Hi Deb, if the filing went through and you got an email confirmation, then the LLC went into existence. I would not file again.