Connecticut Incorporation Fees and Filing Requirements
Forming a corporation in Connecticut costs $250 to file the Certificate of Incorporation with the CT Secretary of State. Learn about annual report fees, registered agent requirements, expedited filing options, and every other cost you'll need to plan for.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Connecticut incorporation fees at a glance
Filing fee: $250 (stock corporation Certificate of Incorporation; additional organization tax applies if authorized shares exceed 20,000)
Processing time: Standard processing time varies; 24-hour expedited processing available for an additional $50 fee
State agency: Connecticut Secretary of the State (SOTS) — Business.CT.gov
Annual report due: $150 per year for domestic stock corporations; $50 per year for domestic nonstock corporations; filed online at Business.CT.gov
State tax rate: [STATE_TAX_RATE]
Connecticut corporation filing fees and requirements
Forming a corporation in Connecticut starts with filing a Certificate of Incorporation with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and paying a $250 base state fee. Beyond that initial cost, you'll need to budget for ongoing requirements — including a $150 annual report fee each year — plus a registered agent, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and any applicable business licenses.
Certificate of Incorporation and initial filing fees
The Certificate of Incorporation is the core formation document for a Connecticut corporation. You file it with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, and the base state fee is $250 for a domestic stock corporation. That fee covers the filing itself — it does not include any optional services or registered agent costs.
One detail that catches people off guard: if your corporation authorizes more than 20,000 shares, Connecticut charges an additional organization tax on top of the $250 base fee. Most founders forming a small business keep their authorized shares at or below that threshold to avoid the extra cost. Your Certificate of Incorporation must include your corporate name (with a designator like "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Company"), the number of authorized shares, and your registered agent's information.
Base filing fee: $250 (domestic stock corporation)
Additional organization tax: applies if authorized shares exceed 20,000
Filing agency: Connecticut Secretary of the State (Business.CT.gov)
Required contents: corporate name with designator, number of authorized shares, registered agent name and address
Name reservation
Name reservation is optional — you don't have to reserve your corporate name before filing. If you want to lock in a name while you're still preparing your formation documents, you can file an Application for Reservation of Name (Form BUS-002) with the Connecticut Secretary of the State for a $60 fee. Check name availability first through the Connecticut Business Registry at Business.CT.gov.
Name reservation fee: $60
Form: Application for Reservation of Name (BUS-002)
Filing agency: Connecticut Secretary of the State
Required: No — you can secure the name by filing the Certificate of Incorporation directly
Expedited filing
Connecticut offers 24-hour expedited processing for corporate filings through the Commercial Recording Division of the Secretary of the State. The expedited fee is $50 per transaction, charged on top of the regular statutory filing fee. So if you're filing a Certificate of Incorporation with expedited service, you'd pay $250 plus $50, for a total of $300 in state fees.
Expedited processing time: 24 hours
Expedited fee: $50 per transaction (added to the regular filing fee)
Handled by: Commercial Recording Division, Connecticut Secretary of the State
Annual report requirements and fees
Connecticut requires domestic corporations to file an annual report with the Secretary of the State each year to keep their business information current. The annual report does not include financial statements — it's a factual update on your business. All annual reports must be filed online through Business.CT.gov.
The annual report fee depends on your corporation type. Domestic stock corporations pay $150 per year. Domestic nonstock corporations pay $50 per year. Missing the annual report deadline can put your corporation's good standing at risk, so it's worth tracking the due date each year.
Annual report fee (domestic stock corporation): $150
Annual report fee (domestic nonstock corporation): $50
Filing method: online only at Business.CT.gov
Purpose: update factual business information; no financial statements required
Registered agent requirement
Every Connecticut corporation must appoint and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Connecticut. The registered agent receives official legal and government correspondence on behalf of your corporation — things like service of process and state notices. Connecticut doesn't charge a separate state fee for the registered agent requirement, but if you use a registered agent service, you'll pay that provider directly.
Employer Identification Number
Every corporation needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You'll use your EIN to open a business bank account, file federal and state taxes, and pay employees. Applying for an EIN is free — you can apply online at irs.gov/ein and get your number the same day.
Corporate bylaws
Connecticut corporations are required to adopt corporate bylaws. Bylaws are your corporation's internal rulebook — they cover how directors and officers are elected, how meetings are held, and how major decisions get made. You don't file bylaws with the state, but you do need to have them in place and keep them with your corporate records. There's no state fee for adopting bylaws.
Business licenses and permits
Forming a corporation in Connecticut doesn't automatically mean you're licensed to operate. Depending on your industry, location, and the type of business you're running, you may need federal, state, or local licenses and permits before you open your doors. Connecticut doesn't have a single general business license — requirements vary by business type and municipality. Check with your local town or city clerk and the relevant state agencies for your industry.
FAQ
It depends on your corporation type and how many shares you authorize. For a domestic stock corporation, the base state fee is $250 to file the Certificate of Incorporation. If you authorize more than 20,000 shares, an additional organization tax applies. Add $150 per year for the annual report, $60 if you want to reserve your name in advance, and $50 if you need 24-hour expedited processing.
You file the annual report online through Business.CT.gov. Connecticut requires all domestic corporations to file electronically — there's no paper option. The annual report fee is $150 for domestic stock corporations and $50 for domestic nonstock corporations. The report updates your corporation's factual information on file with the state and does not require financial statements.
Connecticut doesn't charge a separate state fee for the registered agent requirement. Every corporation must appoint a registered agent with a physical Connecticut address, but the cost depends on who you use. If you appoint an individual (like yourself or a colleague), there's no fee. If you use a registered agent service, you pay that provider directly — fees vary by provider.
Yes. Connecticut offers 24-hour expedited processing through the Commercial Recording Division of the Secretary of the State. The expedited fee is $50 per transaction, added on top of the regular filing fee. For a Certificate of Incorporation, that means $250 plus $50, for a total of $300 in state fees.
Yes. Connecticut has separate fee schedules for domestic stock corporations and domestic nonstock corporations. Stock corporations pay $250 to file a Certificate of Incorporation and $150 per year for the annual report. Nonstock corporations pay a lower flat fee to form and $50 per year for the annual report. If you're forming a for-profit business, you'll almost always be filing as a stock corporation.
The state filing fees and formation process are the same for both. The difference is a federal tax election. A C Corporation is taxed as a separate entity. An S Corporation passes income through to shareholders, who report it on their personal tax returns. You make the S Corp election with the IRS after forming your corporation in Connecticut — it's not a separate state filing. A tax professional can help you figure out which structure fits your situation.
We charge you the state fee at cost and pay it directly to the Connecticut Secretary of the State on your behalf when forming your corporation. The state fee is set by Connecticut law — it's not a Bizee charge. You'll see the exact state fee broken out separately from any Bizee service fees when you get started.
