Connecticut Corporation Names: Rules, Search, and Registration

Filing fee: [STATE_FEE]

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State agency: Connecticut Secretary of the State

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Connecticut corporation names must follow two layers of rules: general rules that apply to all corporations and Connecticut-specific requirements set by the Secretary of the State. Your name must include a required designator word, be distinguishable from existing registered names, and avoid implying a purpose your corporation isn't authorized to carry out.

The distinguishability requirement is the one that trips people up most often. A name doesn't have to be identical to an existing one to be rejected — it just has to be too similar to cause confusion. Running a name search before you get attached to it saves a lot of rework.

Required designator words

Every Connecticut stock corporation name must include one of the following words or an accepted abbreviation. The Connecticut Secretary of the State will reject a Certificate of Incorporation that omits the required designator.

• Corporation (or Corp.)

• Company (or Co.)

• Incorporated (or Inc.)

• Limited (or Ltd.)

If you're forming a nonstock corporation in Connecticut, the required designators are different. Your name must include one of the following words or an accepted abbreviation: Association (or Assoc.), Corporation (or Corp.), Club, Foundation, or Society (or Soc.).

Distinguishability and prohibited implications

Your corporation name must be distinguishable from any other business name already on file with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. This covers other corporations, LLCs, and reserved names.

Your name also can't imply a purpose your corporation isn't authorized to carry out. For example, a name that suggests banking, insurance, or a licensed profession requires additional state approval or licensure before the Secretary of the State will accept it. If you're unsure whether your name implies a restricted purpose, a legal professional can help you figure out whether it creates a problem.

Before filing your Certificate of Incorporation, search the Connecticut Secretary of the State's business registry to confirm your chosen name is available. The search is free and available through the CT business lookup portal. If the name is taken or too similar to an existing one, you'll need to choose a different name before filing.

If you've found a name you want but aren't ready to file yet, Connecticut allows you to reserve it. A name reservation holds the name for a set period so no one else can register it while you finish your formation paperwork. Check the Secretary of the State's office for the current reservation fee and duration.

Clearing a name through the Connecticut Secretary of the State's registry only confirms it's available for state registration — it doesn't mean the name is free of trademark conflicts. A name can be available at the state level and still infringe on a federally registered trademark.

Before settling on a name, search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to check for existing trademarks. If another business holds a federal trademark on a similar name in your industry, using it can put you on the hook for trademark infringement — even if the state accepted your filing. A trademark attorney can help you figure out whether your name is clear.

Your Connecticut corporation can do business under a name that's different from its legal name. Connecticut calls this a trade name — other states often call it a DBA (doing business as) or assumed name. A trade name lets you market under a different brand without forming a separate legal entity.

To use a trade name in Connecticut, you need to file a Trade Name Certificate with the town clerk in the municipality where your business operates. This is a local filing, not a state-level one. Each town may have its own fee and process, so check with the relevant town clerk's office directly. You'll need to renew the certificate periodically — the renewal schedule varies by town.

Your corporation name is registered when you file your Certificate of Incorporation with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. There's no separate name registration step — the name becomes official once the state approves your filing. Before you file, confirm the name is available, includes the required designator, and doesn't conflict with any existing trademarks.

If you also want to operate under a trade name, file the Trade Name Certificate with your local town clerk after your corporation is formed. Getting both steps done early keeps your branding and legal name aligned from the start.