Connecticut LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Connecticut’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting an LLC in CT or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Connecticut

Time needed: 10 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in forming an LLC. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in Connecticut’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $60 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Connecticut. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to Business Services Division Connecticut Secretary of the State P.O. Box 150470 Hartford, CT 06115-0470.

Check Name Availability
Reserve Name Online
Download Reservation form

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

How To Do a Connecticut LLC Online Name Search

As a part of the registration process, it is important to have a suitable name for your LLC in accordance with the requirements of the State. When you are selecting a name for your LLC in Connecticut, you need to see if the chosen name is available for registration in the State of Connecticut or not. The name of your LLC should be unique and abide by the naming guidelines issued by the Secretary of the State of Connecticut.

Steps to Search the Name of Your LLC in Connecticut

Before you start your LLC in Connecticut, you must know if the name of your LLC is available. You can check and file the LLC name online. Here’s how to do that.

Access Connecticut Business Registry Search Tool

The State of Connecticut website provides a Connecticut Business Registry Search tool to help you decide the uniqueness of your proposed business name. This tool is of great help in deciding whether your proposed business name is available for usage in the territory or not. Keep a list of backup names ready, so you can select the name in a few attempts.

Connecticut Name Search 1

Enter the name

After you navigate to the search page, you will find three different types of search filters that you can execute to find a relevant name for your business. You can perform the search either by the “Name”, “Business ID” or “Filing Number”.

Connecticut Name Search 2

Perform the Search:

Search the availability of the chosen name on the website. If the proposed business name is already in use, the page will display the relevant details of the competing business. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters before filing it with the Authorities.

If you wish to take your business online by setting up a website, you should also check if a similar domain name is available for your business. Next, if you also intend to use a Trademark for the distinct identity of your business, you can run a search on the Trademark Database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Connecticut

To reserve an LLC name in Connecticut you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Connecticut Secretary State by mail, in person or online by paying a filing fee of $60.

So, how exactly do you reserve an LLC name in Connecticut? The process is thankfully straightforward and can be easily completed online through the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s website. Before you begin, it’s important to have a few potential names in mind in case your first choice is already taken. Connecticut requires that an LLC name be distinguishable from all existing business entities registered in the state, so having alternatives on hand can save you time and hassle.

Once you’ve settled on a name, you can check its availability by conducting a quick search on the Secretary of the State’s website. By entering your desired LLC name, you can see if it’s already in use by another business entity. If the name is available, you can proceed with the reservation process by completing the necessary forms and paying the required fee.

Reserving an LLC name in Connecticut typically involves filing an Application for Reservation of Name form, which includes basic information such as your desired LLC name, the intended use of the name, and your contact details. The filing fee is minimal, making it a small investment to secure your preferred business name for a period of 120 days.

When you reserve an LLC name in Connecticut, you not only prevent other businesses from using it during the reservation period but also gain the peace of mind knowing that your brand identity is protected as you navigate the process of forming your LLC. This temporary reservation gives you the necessary time to complete the remaining steps of LLC formation, including preparing and filing your articles of organization, appointing a registered agent, and drafting an operating agreement.

It’s important to note that reserving an LLC name is just the first step in establishing your business in Connecticut. While it provides a measure of protection for your brand identity, it does not legally establish your LLC. To fully form your LLC, you will need to complete all the required steps outlined by the Connecticut Secretary of the State, which includes submitting your articles of organization, paying the necessary filing fees, and complying with any additional registration requirements.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Connecticut is a crucial step in the process of starting a business. By securing your desired name early on, you can avoid potential conflicts with other businesses and establish a strong foundation for your brand identity. So, if you’re ready to take the next step in forming your LLC, don’t hesitate to reserve your business name and set your entrepreneurial journey in motion.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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