Connecticut LLCs are relatively inexpensive — especially when you consider that an LLC can protect your personal assets and help grow your business. That’s why forming an LLC is the best choice for most small businesses.
The cost to form an LLC in Connecticut is $120. This covers the primary cost of officially registering your LLC with the state.
Read our LLC Cost in Connecticut guide below to learn more about LLC costs and other fees associated with all Connecticut businesses.
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Northwest ($29 plus state fees)
How Much Is an LLC in Connecticut?
Connecticut LLC Filing Fee: $120
To form an LLC in Connecticut, you'll need to file the Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State. The Connecticut Secretary of State charges a $120 fee to process and record this document which can be filed online. A Certificate of Organization can also be filed by mail or in person by completing the PDF version.
You can complete this process yourself with our How to Start an LLC guide or use an LLC formation service.
Registered Agent Fee
Every Connecticut LLC must appoint a registered agent. Your Connecticut registered agent must be a resident of Connecticut and must be available to receive service of process during normal business hours at a designated street address.
You can be your own registered agent in Connecticut, or you can use a registered agent service for a minimal cost.
Recommended: Get free registered agent services for one year when you form an LLC with Northwest.
Connecticut Annual Report Fee
Connecticut requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. The filing fee is $80.
The annual report can be filed online at Business One Stop for $80. Simply log in to your account and follow the directions provided.
Cost to Register a Foreign LLC in Connecticut: $120
LLCs registered in another state that want to expand into the state of Connecticut must register as a foreign LLC in Connecticut.
The cost of registering a Connecticut foreign LLC is $120. You can register a foreign LLC in Connecticut by filing a Foreign Registration Statement. Filing can be done online, by mail, or in person.
Business Licenses and Permits
Your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Connecticut, depending on your industry and geographical location. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.
Learn more about state and local licensing in our Connecticut business license guide.
Other Connecticut Business Filing Fees
There are fees associated with other, optional business filings in Connecticut.
"Doing Business As" (DBA) Name
When an LLC is registered with the state, the LLC’s name is also officially registered. Some business owners choose to also file for a DBA name, known as a trade name in Connecticut.
Under Connecticut law, anyone who does business under an assumed name must file a Trade Name Certificate in the town clerk’s office in the town where their business is being conducted. The filing fee is $10.
Learn more in our Connecticut DBA guide.
Certified Document Copies
You can get Certified Copies of your Connecticut business documents by completing a Request for Copies to the Secretary of State
Plain copies of each document cost $40. Certified copies of each document cost $55.
Certificate of Legal Existence
Known in Connecticut as a Certificate of Legal Existence, you can obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence by signing into your account at CT.gov and requesting one. You may also complete and submit a Request for Certificates / Legal Existence on FORM CXC-1-1.0 to the Secretary of State. Short form certificates cost $40, while express and long form certificates cost $55.
A Certificate of Legal Existence is often required by banks and lenders.
Recommended: Learn more about LLC formation services in our Best LLC Services review.
How to Start an LLC in Connecticut
Forming an LLC yourself is easy; just follow the five steps below.
Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Connecticut
Step 1: Name Your Connecticut LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File a Certificate of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN
Step 1: Name Your Connecticut LLC
When you name your Connecticut LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:
- Is available for use in the state of Connecticut
- Meets Connecticut naming requirements
- Is available as a web domain
Check web domain (URL) availability with GoDaddy:
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our free LLC name generator.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Connecticut LLCs are required to appoint a registered agent to receive service of process. Business owners can hire a registered agent service or appoint any Connecticut resident that is 18 years or older and is available during normal business hours at a specified address to receive service of process.
Recommended: Northwest offers one full year of registered agent services with their $29 (plus state fees) LLC formation package.
Step 3: File a Connecticut Certificate of Organization
To form a Domestic LLC in Connecticut, you must file a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State.
This can be done online, by mail, or in person by completing and submitting a Certificate of Organization.
For a closer look at the filing process, check out our Connecticut Certificate of Organization guide.
Step 4: Create an LLC Operating Agreement
There is no mandate in Connecticut state law for an LLC to have an operating agreement. Nevertheless, it is good practice to have one.
An operating agreement outlines the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC, ensuring that all members are on the same page and reducing the risk of conflict down the line.
Learn more in our Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement guide.
Step 5: Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify businesses for tax purposes. Think of an EIN as a Social Security number for your LLC.
To learn how to get an EIN for free, visit our How to Get an EIN Number guide.
Connecticut Business Resources
LLC Cost in Connecticut FAQ
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Connecticut?
The cheapest way to start an LLC in Connecticut is to handle the registration process individually. In order to do this, you will need to follow these steps:
- Name your LLC
- Choose a registered agent: This can be a registered agent service or an individual.
- File the Connecticut Certificate of Organization: The filing fee for this is $120 and can be done online, by mail, or in person.
- Create an LLC operating agreement: This is usually not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended.
- Get an EIN: This is basically your business’s Social Security number (SSN).
How much does an LLC cost per year in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires LLCs to file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year. The filing fee is $80. The Annual Report can be filed online at Business One Stop. Simply log in to your account and follow the directions provided.
For a more in-depth analysis, see our How Much Does an LLC Cost? article.
How much does an LLC license cost in Connecticut?
An LLC is not a business license, but a business entity. Forming an LLC in Connecticut includes a one-time registration fee of $120 and an annual report fee of $80.
You may be required to pay additional fees if you choose to pay for a registered agent service, an LLC formation service, or an LLC attorney.
See our How to Start an LLC in Connecticut for more information on registering your business as an LLC.
Do LLCs pay income taxes in Connecticut?
LLCs are a “pass-through” tax entity. This means that the LLCs profits are “passed through” directly to its owner(s), who then pay income taxes independently.
This is advantageous compared to a corporation’s tax structure because it means that LLC members are not taxed twice.
Having said that, readers should keep in mind that LLCs are very flexible when it comes to how they can be taxed, and — depending on the specifics — they can choose to be taxed as a pass-through entity, a C corp, and an S corp.
For more information, see our How Is an LLC Taxed guide.
What are the tax benefits of an LLC?
The tax benefits of an LLC will depend on how you choose to be taxed, as well as on whether you are operating as a single or multi-member LLC.
Generally speaking, LLCs can choose to be taxed in several different ways, including:
- As a sole proprietorship or general partnership
- As a C corporation
- As an S corporation
See our Single-Member LLC Taxes guide for a detailed overview of the tax benefits of having an LLC as a small business.
Do I need to open a business bank account for my LLC?
Even though you do not necessarily “need” to open a bank account for your LLC, this is generally highly recommended for several reasons.
For one, having a separate bank account can allow you to maintain your LLC’s corporate veil — meaning that you will not risk losing your limited personal liability under the law. A business bank account also offers financial benefits, including the ability to build business credit more quickly and access to larger business loans.
Interested in opening a business bank account? See our review of the best banks for startups in 2023.