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.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
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.
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
One of the first steps to starting an LLC in Connecticut is to reserve a name for your company. Doing so can help ensure that no one else can register a similar or identical name, and can also assist in establishing your brand and reputation over time.
To reserve an LLC name in Connecticut, you can begin by conducting a search of the state’s records to determine whether your desired name is already in use by another business. The Connecticut Secretary of State website provides a database of all registered business names, which you can search for free.
If no one else is already using the name, you can begin the process of reserving it for your own LLC. To do so, you will need to file a Reservation of Name form with the Secretary of State’s office. This form can be downloaded from the website or obtained from the office itself.
The form will require you to provide your own contact information, as well as a detailed description of your intended use for the name. It may also ask you to specify a period of time for which you want to reserve the name, which can be up to 120 days.
There is a fee associated with reserving a name in Connecticut, which can range from $60 to $200 depending on the length of time you choose and whether you are requesting expedited processing. Payments can be made by check, money order, or credit card, and should be mailed to the office alongside your completed form.
Once your Reservation of Name has been processed and your payment received, you will be notified in writing that your name has been successfully reserved. This document can then act as proof that the name is yours to use in Connecticut, and can be presented to prospective investors, lenders, or partners as needed.
Overall, reserving an LLC name in Connecticut can be a fairly straightforward process, provided you take the time to conduct a thorough search and fill out the necessary paperwork correctly. By choosing a name that is both distinctive and meaningful, you can help establish your brand and differentiate yourself from other businesses in your industry.
F.A.Qs
A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.
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.
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.
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
