A Connecticut registered agent acts as an official point of contact for a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or nonprofit.
A registered agent is responsible for accepting important correspondence like service of process.
Recommended: Get free registered agent services for a year when you form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent ($29 plus state fees).
What Is a Connecticut Registered Agent?
A registered agent primarily acts as your business’s main point of contact with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Your registered agent will be responsible for receiving important tax notifications and compliance information.
A registered agent’s most important role is to accept service of process. Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.
Business owners must appoint a registered agent when they form an LLC or corporation.
Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?
Before you decide to hire a Connecticut registered agent service — also called a commercial registered agent — it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Privacy: Your registered agent’s address will be listed on the public record — not your personal or office address. This is especially important if your business operates out of your home.
- Focus on Growth: A professional registered agent service will send you regular compliance reminders and notify you of any requirements needed to keep your organization in good standing. You, on the other hand, will be focusing on growing your business.
- Discretion: When a business owner acts as their own registered agent, service of process could be delivered to your home or in front of employees or customers at your office.
- Convenience: Hiring a registered agent service allows you to keep a flexible schedule. A registered agent is required to be available at their given address during normal business hours.
- National Support: If you think you may want to grow your organization nationally, a national registered agent service will be able to continue service there.
Disadvantages
We aren’t sure there are any real disadvantages to hiring a registered agent service. The only downside is that hiring a commercial registered agent service costs money, but the time you will save can outweigh that cost. And after all, time is money.
What Is the Best Registered Agent Service in Connecticut?
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent’s competitive prices and great customer service are also a solid choice for Connecticut businesses.
Northwest’s online form system only requires customers to provide information once, which then auto-populates in every form that asks for that info. They also scan every document locally — not just certain documents — to make sure that you never miss a filing. Their discount on multiple-state service is also a nice perk.
On top of all that, Northwest’s customer service is praised for being personable, knowledgeable, and timely in their responses.
Are you forming an LLC?
Northwest Registered Agent to form your LLC for $29 and get one full year of registered agent services free.
Just looking for a registered agent?
Northwest Registered Agent offers registered agent services for $125 per year.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Connecticut?
You can be your own registered agent. Your friend can be your registered agent, too. Really, anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet these three requirements:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical address in Connecticut.
- They’re always available during regular business hours at the address you provide.
Should I Be My Own Registered Agent?
Being your own registered agent will work for a handful of business owners. A registered agent needs to be organized, available, and aware. Most importantly, they need to have the time to be all of these things too.
If you miss a filing deadline or lose a document, you could put your compliance status at risk and the state could revoke your LLC or corporate status.
Many business owners choose to hire a professional registered agent service so they can focus on growing their business without the fear of missing a notice or deadline.
Is a Registered Agent Liable?
A registered agent is ONLY liable for any losses incurred by failing to notify the business of service of process documents in a timely manner. The registered agent may have to pay damages to the court in this situation.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Connecticut
In Connecticut, LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations elect their registered agents on the formation document for each type of business entity.
Consent to Appointment
Your registered agent must consent to their appointment by signing your business’s formation documents.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your LLC
Complete the Certificate of Organization - LLC. Your registered agent information will go into Article 4.
The cost to file the LLC Certificate of Organization is $120.
File by Mail
Submit your LLC Certificate of Organization to the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
File In Person
Submit your LLC Certificate of Organization at the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
File Online
Form your LLC on the Connecticut CT Business One Stop website.
You will need to set up an account with CT Business One Stop to file online.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your Corporation
Complete the Certificate of Incorporation - Stock Corporation. Your registered agent information will go into Article 6.
The cost to file the For-Profit Certificate of Incorporation is $250.
File by Mail
Submit your For-Profit Certificate of Incorporation to the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
File In Person
Submit your For-Profit Certificate of Incorporation at the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
File Online
Form your corporation on the Connecticut CT Business One Stop website.
You will need to set up an account with CT Business One Stop to file online.
Elect a Registered Agent for Your Nonprofit
Complete the Certificate of Incorporation - Nonstock Corporation. Your registered agent information will go into Article 7.
The cost to file the Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation is $50.
File by Mail
Submit your Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation to the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
File In Person
Submit your Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation to the address below:
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
File Online
Form your nonprofit on the Connecticut CT Business One Stop website.
You will need to set up an account with CT Business One Stop to file online.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Connecticut
To legally change your Connecticut registered agent, simply fill out the Change of Agent form and submit it to the Connecticut Secretary of the State along with the filing fee.
This can be done online or by submitting your completed form to one of the addresses below:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
In Person
Business Services Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
The filing cost is $20 for nonprofits and $50 for both LLCs and corporations.
Consent to Appointment
Your new registered agent must consent to their appointment by signing the Change of Agent form.
Connecticut Registered Agent FAQ
Who can be a registered agent?
In the state of Connecticut, anyone may serve as your registered agent as long as they’re a state resident and available at their listed address during standard business hours during the week. We do, however, recommend all LLCs, registered nonprofits, and corporations use a registered agent service.
How much does a Connecticut registered agent cost?
Although using a registered agent service can cost between $50 and $300 per year, it could save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
How much does it cost to change my registered agent?
Changing your Connecticut registered agent with the Secretary of the State costs $20 for nonprofits and $50 for both LLCs and corporations.
Does registered agent mean owner?
No. A business owner can be a registered agent, but a registered agent is not necessarily a business owner.
Can anyone be a registered agent?
Anyone can be a registered agent as long as they meet these requirements:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical address in Connecticut.
- They’re always available during regular business hours at the address you provide.
Should I be my own registered agent?
If you plan on having a lot of free time to handle administrative work and you plan to always be at the address you provide during business hours, day after day, week after week, then it would be ok to be your own registered agent. Most business owners can't make that commitment, but there are always unique cases.
If you plan to hit the ground running and grow your business like nobody’s business, then we HIGHLY recommend hiring a registered agent.
Is a registered agent liable?
A registered agent is ONLY liable for any losses incurred by failing to notify the business of service of process documents in a timely manner. The registered agent may have to pay damages to the court in this situation.
What is service of process?
Service of process is the action of informing an individual or entity that there's a pending lawsuit against him or her, or in this case, against one's company.
What is a statutory agent?
A statutory agent is another name for a registered agent.
What is a resident agent?
A resident agent is another name for a registered agent.
What is a service of process agent?
A service of process agent is another name for a registered agent.
