How to Start an LLC in Connecticut
Learn how to start an LLC in Connecticut: Certificate of Organization, state filing fee, registered agent requirements, EIN, and annual report deadlines — all in one guide.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Connecticut LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $120 (online) / $120 (by mail)
Processing time: Typically 3–5 business days online; mail processing varies
State agency: Connecticut Secretary of the State
Annual report due: Annually between January 1 and March 31
State tax rate: No state-level LLC franchise tax; pass-through income taxed at individual rates (6.99% top marginal rate)
How to start an LLC in Connecticut
To start an LLC in Connecticut, you file a Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, pay the $120 state filing fee, and designate a registered agent with a Connecticut address. Most online filings are processed in 3–5 business days. You'll also need an operating agreement and, in most cases, a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Why form an LLC in Connecticut
Connecticut doesn't impose a separate franchise tax on LLCs, which keeps ongoing costs lower than in states like California. Pass-through income flows to members and gets taxed at individual rates, so the business itself doesn't pay state income tax. The state also has a well-developed small business support network, including the Connecticut Small Business Development Center.
Connecticut's economy skews toward financial services, insurance, and professional services — sectors where the LLC structure's liability protection and flexible management are a natural fit. If your business operates in one of those industries, forming here makes practical sense.
How to form a Connecticut LLC
Forming a Connecticut LLC takes six steps. Each one builds on the last, and skipping any of them can create problems down the road — especially the registered agent and EIN steps, which catch people off guard.
- Choose a business name that includes 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' and is distinguishable from names already on file with the Connecticut Secretary of the State
- Designate a registered agent with a physical Connecticut address — this can be a person or a registered agent service
- File a Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and pay the $120 filing fee
- Create an operating agreement — Connecticut doesn't require you to file it with the state, but you should have one in place before you start doing business
- Apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS — free and available online
- Get any business licenses or permits your industry or municipality requires
Connecticut LLC name requirements
Your LLC name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' It also needs to be distinguishable from every other business name already registered with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Before you file, search the state's business name database to check availability.
Connecticut doesn't require you to reserve a name before filing, but name reservation is available if you want to lock in a name while you prepare your paperwork. Names can't include words that imply the business is organized for a purpose other than what's stated in your Certificate of Organization.
Registered agent requirements
Every Connecticut LLC needs a registered agent — a person or business with a physical Connecticut address who can receive legal documents and official state notices on your behalf. A P.O. box doesn't qualify. The agent's name and address go directly on your Certificate of Organization.
You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Connecticut street address and are available during business hours. Many business owners use a registered agent service instead — it keeps your personal address off public records and makes sure nothing gets missed if you're traveling or working remotely.
Certificate of Organization
The Certificate of Organization is the document that officially forms your LLC in Connecticut. You file it with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and pay the $120 state filing fee. Online filing is the fastest option and typically processes in 3–5 business days.
The Certificate needs to include your LLC's name, its mailing address and principal office address in Connecticut, the name and address of your registered agent, and a statement of purpose — either a specific description or a general statement that the LLC will engage in any lawful business.
Operating agreement
Connecticut doesn't require you to file an operating agreement with the state, but you should have one before your LLC does any business. The operating agreement is the internal document that spells out how your LLC is owned and managed — member contributions, profit and loss allocation, voting rights, and what happens if a member wants to leave.
For single-member LLCs, an operating agreement is especially worth having. Without one, a court has less evidence that your LLC is a genuinely separate entity — and if that separation breaks down, your personal finances are fair game for business debts.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. Connecticut LLCs with employees need one. LLCs without employees still need an EIN if they're taxed as a corporation or have more than 1 member. Even single-member LLCs with no employees benefit from getting one — it keeps your Social Security number off business documents.
Apply online at irs.gov — it's free and you get your EIN immediately. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM ET. You'll need a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (your SSN or ITIN) for the responsible party to complete the application.
Connecticut LLC annual report
Connecticut LLCs need to file an annual report with the Secretary of the State each year between January 1 and March 31. The annual report keeps your LLC in good standing and updates the state on your registered agent, address, and member information. Missing the deadline can put your LLC at risk of administrative dissolution.
The annual report filing fee is $80 for most LLCs. Filing online through the Connecticut Business One Stop portal is the fastest option. Mark the deadline on your calendar when you form — it's one of the requirements that catches new business owners off guard in their first year.
Professional LLCs in Connecticut
Connecticut allows licensed professionals — including attorneys, physicians, accountants, and architects — to form a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC). A PLLC follows the same basic formation process as a standard LLC, but all members must hold the required state license for the profession the PLLC is organized to practice.
If you're in a licensed profession, talk to a legal professional about whether a PLLC or a standard LLC is the right structure for your practice. The distinction matters for liability and licensing compliance.
FAQ
To start an LLC in Connecticut, choose a business name that includes 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company,' designate a registered agent with a Connecticut address, and file a Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. The state filing fee is $120. Online filings typically process in 3–5 business days.
After filing, create an operating agreement and apply for a federal EIN through the IRS. You'll also need to file an annual report each year between January 1 and March 31 to stay in good standing.
- Connecticut allows a single person to form an LLC — there's no minimum member requirement beyond 1 organizer to file the Certificate of Organization. A single-member LLC in Connecticut is taxed as a sole proprietorship by default for federal tax purposes, though you can elect a different tax classification.
The state filing fee to form an LLC in Connecticut is $120. This covers the Certificate of Organization filed with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. There's no separate publication requirement in Connecticut, so the $120 state fee is the primary formation cost beyond any registered agent or professional service fees.
Yes. Every Connecticut LLC is required to designate a registered agent — a person or business with a physical Connecticut street address who can receive legal documents and official state notices on the LLC's behalf. The registered agent's name and address are listed on the Certificate of Organization and become part of the public record.
No. Connecticut doesn't require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the state. But having one is strongly recommended. Without an operating agreement, your LLC's internal rules default to Connecticut's LLC statutes — which may not reflect how you actually want to run your business. For single-member LLCs, an operating agreement also helps reinforce the liability protection the LLC structure provides.
It depends. A Connecticut LLC with employees needs an EIN. Multi-member LLCs and LLCs taxed as a corporation also need one. Single-member LLCs with no employees and no corporate tax election can use the owner's Social Security number instead — but getting an EIN is still worth doing. It keeps your Social Security number off business documents and is required to open a business bank account at most banks.
Connecticut LLC annual reports are due each year between January 1 and March 31. The filing fee is $80. You file through the Connecticut Secretary of the State's online portal. Missing the deadline can result in your LLC losing good standing with the state, which can eventually lead to administrative dissolution if left unresolved.
To form a corporation in Connecticut, you file a Certificate of Incorporation with the Connecticut Secretary of the State rather than a Certificate of Organization. Corporations have different tax treatment, ownership structure, and compliance requirements than LLCs. If you're deciding between an LLC and a corporation, a tax professional can help you figure out which structure fits your situation.
