One of the first and most important steps of any new business is finding the perfect name for your Connecticut LLC.

Checking the LLC name availability in Connecticut is an important step in the business formation process. It ensures your business name is distinguishable from the names of other Connecticut businesses so that you do not violate anyone’s intellectual property rights.

Our Connecticut LLC Name Search guide will show you how you can find available business names in Connecticut, and how to reserve and register your business name.

How to Search for a Connecticut LLC Name

Below are the four steps that you need to follow in order to conduct an LLC name search in Connecticut.

Step 1: Follow the Connecticut LLC Naming Guidelines

The first step is to ensure that your chosen name complies with the requirements of Connecticut’s LLC naming guidelines as listed below:

• Choose a unique name for your business. The name must include certain words or phrases to identify the type of company, such as “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC.”
• The name must also be distinguishable from any existing entity on record with the Secretary of State.
•  Additionally, the name of your LLC cannot include any restricted words, such as “bank,” “insurance,” or “attorney.”
• It’s also important to remember that LLC names cannot be the same as any existing trademarks.
• You can search the Connecticut Secretary of State’s database to see if your desired name is already taken.
• Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to reserve it with the Secretary of State.

Selecting a name is just one of the several requirements when forming an LLC. To avoid improper or incomplete LLC formation documents, we recommend using the assistance of an LLC formation service.

Step 2: Look Up Connecticut LLC Name Search Availability

The next step is to conduct a Connecticut LLC name search. Below are a few ways to do a business name search in Connecticut.

• LLC Name Search: Search the Connecticut Taxable Entity Search to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your business or trademark on any search engine to check businesses with similar names. This will also ensure your trademark is unique, meets the state’s requirements, and frees you from any legal hassles in the future.
• Domain Name Search: If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name. Having a URL that matches your business name is important since this is how your potential and existing clients can find your business.

To determine the availability of your chosen URL, use a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy.

Step 3: Reserve Your Connecticut LLC Name

• Once you’ve chosen a name for your LLC, you’ll need to reserve it with the Secretary of State. This is done by completing an  Application for Reservation of Name Form, which is available on the Secretary of State’s website. The form asks for the proposed LLC name and the name and address of the applicant.
• You can reserve a name for a period of 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Request with the Secretary of State.
• This request must include the proposed LLC name and the name and address of the applicant. The fee for filing a Name Reservation Request is $60.
• Once the Secretary of State has approved your Name Reservation Request, you will be required to file a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay the filing fee of $120.
• The Certificate of Organization must include certain information, such as the name of the LLC, the name and address of the registered agent, and the purpose of the LLC.

LLC owners sometimes choose to brand their businesses with a DBA. Most sole proprietors and general partnerships use a DBA to create a brand other than their surnames.

Step 4: Register a Connecticut LLC Trade or Service Mark

Doing a name search on the federal trademark database will tell you whether another business or person has already “marked” your name.

Registering a Connecticut LLC Trade or Service Mark is a straightforward process. The first step is to file an application with the Secretary of State’s office. This can be done either in person or by mail. The application must include the following information:

• The name of the LLC Trade or Service Mark
• A description of the goods or services associated with the mark
• The name and address of the applicant
• A copy of the mark itself, which can be a drawing, logo, or slogan
• Payment of the filing fee

Once the application is filed, the Secretary of State’s office will review it and determine if the mark is eligible for registration. If the mark is approved, the applicant will receive a Certificate of Registration. This certificate serves as proof that the mark has been registered and is legally protected.

It is important to note that registering a mark does not guarantee exclusive rights. In fact, it is possible for multiple parties to register the same mark. Therefore, businesses should take steps to protect their marks by monitoring use of the mark in the marketplace, enforcing their rights when necessary, and taking legal action to protect their marks from infringement.

Connecticut Secretary of State Contact Information 

Mailing Address:

30 Trinity St.
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470

Physical Address:

165 Capitol Ave.
Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106

Telephone: (860) 509-6200

Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.