How Much Does an LLC Cost in Connecticut

Written by: Mary Gerardine

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How Much Does an LLC Cost in Connecticut

The minimum Connecticut LLC cost is $120, which covers the processing fee for filing your Certificate of Organization.

Having said that, the total cost of forming a Connecticut LLC will depend on several factors, including your personal preferences and business needs.

In our How Much Does an LLC Cost in Connecticut article, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the different costs associated with launching and maintaining an LLC.

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Connecticut LLC Cost

In the table below, you can find a summary of the main requirements of forming a Connecticut limited liability company (LLC) and their associated fees.

                                                         
RequirementFee
Certificate of Organization$120
Registered Agent$0-$150+
LLC Name$0-$70
Operating Agreement$0+

Connecticut LLC Filing Fee ($120+)

To form your LLC in Connecticut, you will be required to submit a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State.

This submission comes with a $120 filing fee; keep in mind that you will need the following information in order to complete it:

  • The legal name of your LLC
  • Your LLC’s principal office and mailing address
  • The names, addresses, and email addresses of your LLC’s managers and/or members
  • The name and signature of your LLC’s organizer

Keep in mind that you can complete the filing process either online or by mail, but not both, as that can lead to duplicate submissions and potentially delay the approval of your LLC.

If you are registering a foreign LLC, the cost remains the same; having said that, you will need to file a Foreign Registration Statement instead.

Having said that, if you choose to use an LLC formation service, the cost will be a little higher as it will include a small service fee in addition to Connecticut’s state filing fee.

The fees for an LLC formation service can range significantly, but can start from as low as $29, increasing if you decide to purchase any additional offerings.

Note: For more details on the formation process, you can check out our Connecticut LLC Formation guide.

Connecticut Registered Agent ($0-$150+)

As part of filing your Certificate of Organization, you will be required to appoint a registered agent.

This is a person or business entity that you must assign to receive tax, legal, and governmental correspondence on behalf of your Connecticut LLC. Your registered agent will need to be available during normal business hours in order to receive service of process.

Keep in mind that your registered agent will be required to sign the relevant section in your LLC’s Certificate of Organization in order to officially accept their appointment.

While you can act as your own registered agent at no extra cost, it’s often recommended to hire a professional service so you avoid any potential penalties or legal issues caused by non-compliance with state regulations.

Hiring a third-party service can also be a great way of ensuring that your personal information remains private.

The cost of a registered agent service will depend on the provider you choose, but will generally be around $100.

Note: Keep in mind that your registered agent’s business address needs to be a physical location; PO Boxes will not be accepted.

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Naming Your Connecticut LLC ($0-$70)

When forming your Connecticut LLC, you’ll be required to pick a suitable name that’s available to use.

There are two potential costs to be aware of when naming your LLC.

Reserving Name

You can reserve your preferred business name prior to submitting your certificate of organization with the secretary of state.

To do this, you can either file online or print the Application For Reservation Of Name form and mail it to the Secretary of State. A $60 filing fee will need to be paid regardless.

Before deciding on a name for your LLC, it’s important to verify its availability. You can do this by performing a Business Registry Search on the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website.

Note: The reservation will be effective for a period of 120 days from the date of filing with the Secretary of State, with the filing date being considered day 1 of the 120 days.

When choosing a name for your LLC, it’s essential to select one that corresponds to an available domain. This is because a matching domain ensures consistency between your LLC’s name and its online presence, which helps to strengthen its brand recognition and credibility.

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Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate your business under a name that differs from your LLCs official one, you’ll need to obtain a Doing Business As (DBA) name — which is also known as a Trade Name in Connecticut.

The first step in this process is to ensure the desired name is not already in use.

To do this, you will need to conduct a business entity search the records of the city clerk’s office in the jurisdiction in which your business will be located.

For instance, if your business is in Stamford, you will need to check the Stamford City Clerk’s database.

This is because businesses in Connecticut that want to use a DBA are required to register it with the city where the company is located.

The cost for this process typically ranges from $5 to $10, with the specific amount dependent on the city where the registration is filed.

It should be noted that DBAs in Connecticut do not expire and do not require renewal.

Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement ($0+)

While not mandatory, it’s good practice for LLCs to have an operating agreement.

This document defines the roles and responsibilities of the members or managers in your LLC and will help prevent and solve any business disputes that may arise later on.

While you can opt to hire an online service or business attorney to draft this document for you (which typically costs at least a few hundred dollars), it’s actually quite straightforward to do it yourself at no extra cost.

It’s also important to note that this doesn’t actually need to be filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State — it’s purely an internal document.

Additional Connecticut LLC Formation Costs

On top of the more common fees outlined above, there are a number of additional formation costs that LLCs in Connecticut may encounter depending on their circumstances.

We’ve summarized some of these additional costs below:

Expedited Connecticut LLC Filing

The Connecticut Secretary of State offers expedited filing services for businesses that require quick processing of their LLC formation filings.

If you’re interested in utilizing this service, you’ll need to complete the Expedited Service Request form and submit it to the Secretary of State alongside a $50 processing fee.

To ensure your request is processed efficiently, we recommend following these steps:

  • Print or Type Your Contact Information: Clearly provide the name and address of the requesting party, as this is where correspondence regarding your expedited filing will be directed
  • Business Name: Include the name of the business involved in the request to facilitate accurate processing
  • Customer ID (If Applicable): Submit your Customer ID to authorize the Secretary of State’s office to debit the necessary fee from your account
  • Delivery Method: Choose between Mail (for documents to be mailed by 4:00 PM the next business day, allowing for postal delivery time) and Pick Up (for collecting documents in person before 4:00 PM the next business day; uncollected documents will be mailed, requiring additional postal delivery time)

Note: “Expedited Service” means that your request will be processed within 24 hours of receipt. Having said that, the timeframe does not cover mailing time, and payment of the expedited service fee does not guarantee that your filing will be accepted.

Local Business Licenses

In order to comply with the local-level regulations of your city and county, your business may be required to obtain some local business licenses.

While very few municipalities impose a general licensing requirement for businesses operating within their limits, your LLC might need a municipal license if it’s involved in certain activities.

For example, in New Haven, individuals who wish to operate as street vendors must secure a Street Vendor’s License from the city.

The fees for this license will depend on the vending duration, with an annual license priced at $200. Shorter durations are available, ranging from $60 for a single day to $240 for four days.

Certificate of Legal Existence

A Connecticut Certificate of Legal Existence is a document often required to open a business bank account, or by lenders in order to check that your LLC is properly registered and legally authorized to conduct business in the state.

You can obtain your Certificate of Legal Existence online from the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website by paying a $55 fee.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

You may need certified copies of your business documents if you’re dealing with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, or are involved in legal proceedings.

You can request plain copies of your business documents from the Connecticut Secretary of State’s office at a cost of $40 per document. Certified copies are slightly more expensive (i.e., $55 per document.).

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Cost to Maintain an LLC in Connecticut

In addition to the cost of forming an LLC in Connecticut, there are also several ongoing costs you’ll be responsible for paying each year.

We’ve outlined these recurring costs associated with maintaining a Connecticut LLC below.

Annual Report Fee

In Connecticut, all LLCs must file a report with the Secretary of State each year, with the filing period spanning from January 1 to March 31.

You can complete this filing online via the Secretary of State’s website; a $80 processing fee will need to be paid.

After logging into your account, you’ll be provided with step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the Annual Report submission process.

Note: You’ll be reminded of your upcoming due date about a month in advance via email. If no email is available, a postcard will be sent to your business’s registered address.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you decide to take advantage of a professional registered agent in order to handle your legal documents, you’ll be required to pay an annual fee in return for their services. This fee commonly ranges between $45 and $300 depending on the provider and features you select.

While you’re not required to use a professional service, it’s highly recommended.

Taxes

In addition to the federal taxes your LLC is required to pay regardless of the state it’s based in, there are a variety of state-specific taxes in Connecticut you need to be aware of, including:

  • Sales tax
  • Employment taxes
  • Business privilege taxes
  • Property taxes

Additionally, there are various local taxes your LLC may need to pay depending on the municipality or county it’s based in, such as:

  • Sales and use taxes
  • Property tax

Connecticut vs Other States

In comparing Connecticut to other states, it’s noteworthy that while the annual report fee of $80 is on the lower end, the initial formation cost of $120 is higher than the national average.

Having said that, the state distinguishes itself by cultivating a business-friendly atmosphere, which is particularly supportive of sectors like finance, insurance, and advanced manufacturing.

Even so, it’s important to understand that the best state to form your LLC will generally be the one in which you plan to primarily operate your business from.

This is because this makes it far easier to stay legally compliant on a number of levels, including taxation, licensing, and filing requirements, as you’ll only need to deal with one state’s set of rules.

LLC Cost in Connecticut FAQ

How much does it cost for an LLC in Connecticut?

To start an LLC, you will need to pay a minimum cost of $120, which will cover the processing fee of filing your Connecticut LLC Certificate of Organization. Beyond this initial expense, you may need to pay for a registered agent service, which can cost anywhere from $0 to $150. For more information, you can have a look at our How to Start an LLC in Connecticut guide.

Do you have to renew an LLC every year in Connecticut?

Yes. In Connecticut, all LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State in order to remain in good standing. This process typically occurs between January 1 and March 31 each year and comes with a filing fee of $80. For additional details, see our Connecticut LLC Cost article.

What is needed to start a business in Connecticut?

To start a Connecticut business, you will first need to choose the appropriate business structure — such as an LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. You will then need to register your business entity with the Secretary of State, acquire business insurance (if applicable) and open a business bank account. If you want to hire employees, you will also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

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