How to File the Certificate of Incorporation for a Connecticut Nonprofit

Last Updated: November 21, 2023 By TRUiC Team

Filing the Certificate of Incorporation is a critical step in starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Connecticut. Whether you have been running a charity for a while or are just starting out, your nonprofit organization will need to fill out the Certificate of Incorporation and file them with the State of Connecticut. This will allow you to file for 501(c)(3) status and reap the benefits of having an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Want to form a nonprofit elsewhere? Check out our other How to Start a Nonprofit guides.

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Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Connecticut is easy, just follow these easy steps to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation for nonprofit corporations:

If you are starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Connecticut, you have come to the right place. After reading the comprehensive guide for Connecticut nonprofit formation, follow this guide to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

What is covered in this guide:

Information you will need to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation for nonprofit corporations
How to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation for nonprofit corporations
Connecticut Nonprofit Formation FAQ

Information you will need to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation for nonprofit corporations

To become a nonprofit corporation in Connecticut you must file Form CIN-1-1.0, the certificate of incorporation for nonprofit corporations.

Here are the sections that you will need to complete.

Filing Party

Enter the name and address of the person who should receive confirmation of the filing.

Section 1: Name of Corporation

Enter the name you have selected.

For help with selecting a name for your nonprofit read our comprehensive guide on how to name a Connecticut nonprofit.

Section 2: Membership

Select the appropriate box depending on which statement accurately reflects your organization. If you select Option D, include an attachment that clearly explains how each class is designated.

Section 3: Registered Agent & Registered Office

The registered agent can be any entity registered to do business in Connecticut or any person who is a resident of the state. Your organization cannot act as its own registered agent.

Any person or business you designate as the registered agent must explicitly consent to act as the registered agent for your organization and verify their consent by signing Form CIN-1-1.0.

Enter the information of the registered agent in either Section A or B.

For more information read our guide: What is a registered agent? and The Connecticut Registered Agent Guide.

Section 4: Purpose

Describe the purpose of your nonprofit organization and additional provisions. Attach an additional sheet of paper if necessary.

In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, the organization’s purpose must explicitly be limited to one or more of the following:

Charitable
Religious
Scientific
Literary
Testing for public safety
Fostering national/international amateur sports competition
Preventing cruelty to animals/children

NOTE: You can read the IRS guidelines on their website.

Section 5: Other Information

Use this section of the articles of formation to formally state what the assets of the organization will be used for, and what will happen to the assets if the organization is dissolved.

To be eligible for 501(c)(3) status, you must convince the IRS that the organization’s assets will always only be used for the purposes approved under 501(c)(3) rules. To this end, you must include provisions ensuring that in the event your organization is dissolved, the assets of the organization will be used towards tax-exempt purposes.

Section 5 of this sample document provides an example of these provisions required for 501(c)(3) eligibility.

Section 6: Corporation Email Address

Provide an email address for your nonprofit. This email will be used to send you a reminder to file your Annual Report. If your nonprofit does not have an email address, write NONE on the form.

Section 7: Execution

When the incorporators sign and date the form they are affirming everything written in the form. They are also affirming that the registered agent listed has already consented to be the registered agent for this nonprofit organization.

The incorporators are the people who complete, sign, and submit the Articles of Incorporation. These people do not need to be a part of your organization.

How to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation

There are two ways to submit your Nonstock Certificate of Incorporation:

Online:

File the Nonstock Certificate of Incorporation through the state's CT Business One Stop portal.

By Mail:

Submit two copies of the Nonstock Certificate of Incorporation (the original plus a copy) to the mailing address found below.

Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470

In Person:

Submit two copies of the Nonstock Certificate of Incorporation to the office address found below.

Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106

The filing fee is $50.

Personal checks or money orders must be made out to the "Secretary of the State"
Accepted credit cards for online filing include Visa and MasterCard

Connecticut Nonprofit Formation FAQ

How long does it take to process Form CIN-1-1.0?

If you file online or by mail it typically takes about 3-5 business days. You can choose to pay an optional expedite fee of $50 to cut down on the processing time.

How do I contact the Secretary of State for more information?

You can call for information at (860) 509-6003 or visit them at their website.