How to Start an LLC in Connecticut (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Connecticut, you file a Certificate of Organization online with the Connecticut Secretary of the State at Business.CT.gov, and pay $120.

Maya Does that $120 include anything else?

Dan Yes. It includes appointing your registered agent.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Connecticut for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. What's the first thing to do?

0:29 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Include limited liability company, L.L.C., or LLC. The name also has to be distinguishable from names on record.

Maya Does adding LLC or Inc. make my name different?

Dan No. Adding LLC or Inc. doesn't make a name different.

Maya How do I check mine?

Dan The state has a free business name checker. And you can reserve a name for 120 days for $60.

0:56 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Connecticut?

Dan A Connecticut resident, or a business authorized in Connecticut. The agent signs to accept the appointment.

Maya Can my LLC be its own agent?

Dan No, it can't.

Maya What about privacy?

Dan An individual agent has to give a Connecticut home address, and it's public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $50.

1:25 Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

Maya Where do I file?

Dan On Business.CT.gov. It's $120, and it's the same price on paper.

Maya What does it ask for?

Dan The name, a principal office, at least one member or manager, an email address, and a six-digit NAICS code.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. One more thing on speed: most online filings are accepted automatically.

Maya So I won't need to rush it?

Dan There's a $50 online expedite, but it's rarely needed.

1:57 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does the Secretary of the State collect it?

Dan No. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee. You keep it with your records.

Maya And if mine is just a handshake?

Dan Connecticut law counts even an oral or implied agreement. So put yours in writing.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:22 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Certificate.

Maya How long does it take?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya Any beneficial ownership report?

Dan No. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

2:49 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What's due each year?

Dan An annual report, filed online, for $80.

Maya When?

Dan Between January 1 and March 31, starting the year after you form.

Maya Is the date fixed, not tied to my formation month?

Dan It's the same window for everyone. And the state emails a reminder about a month ahead.

Maya What if I'm late?

Dan There's no late fee. But an overdue LLC can't get a Certificate of Legal Existence.

Maya And if it drags on?

Dan More than a year behind, and the state can dissolve it by forfeiture. Reinstating costs $120.

3:26 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $120 to form. Then $80 a year for the annual report.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya First year, then?

Dan $120 to form, and the first $80 report comes the year after. A name reservation would add $60.

3:48 The reinstatement math

Maya Let me compare two choices. What's the cost of filing on time?

Dan $80 for the annual report.

Maya And the cost of letting it go more than a year?

Dan Reinstatement is $120.

Maya So the report is the better deal.

Dan By a lot. And a report filed on time keeps you out of forfeiture altogether.

4:10 Picking your registered agent

Maya Could I be my own agent?

Dan If you're a Connecticut resident, yes. But you give your Connecticut home address, and it's public.

Maya Could my LLC do it?

Dan No. The LLC can't be its own agent.

Maya And a business?

Dan A business authorized in Connecticut can do it. That's the commercial agent route.

Maya Does changing agents cost anything?

Dan $50.

4:33 What overdue means

Maya Let me press on the annual report. You said no late fee.

Dan Right. There's no late fee on the report itself.

Maya So what's the catch?

Dan An overdue LLC can't get a Certificate of Legal Existence.

Maya So no fee, but a real consequence.

Dan Right. The state won't issue that certificate while you're overdue, and more than a year of that can lead to dissolution by forfeiture.

Maya And the way back?

Dan Reinstating costs $120.

Maya So the $80 report on time is the simplest path.

Dan It is, and the state emails a reminder about a month ahead.

5:09 What the Certificate needs

Maya Let me go through the Certificate item by item. What do I need ready?

Dan The LLC's name, and a principal office.

Maya Then?

Dan At least one member or manager, plus an email address.

Maya And the odd one?

Dan A six-digit NAICS code. It describes the business.

Maya Does the registered agent appear on it?

Dan Yes. The $120 fee includes appointing the registered agent.

Maya And the agent's part?

Dan The agent signs to accept the appointment.

5:39 Name reservation

Maya When would I reserve a name?

Dan If you're not ready to file yet. It holds the name for 120 days.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan $60.

Maya Is it required?

Dan No. You can search the free business name checker and just file.

Maya Remember, adding LLC or Inc. doesn't make a name different.

Dan That's the one to watch when you search.

6:01 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent. File the Certificate of Organization on Business.CT.gov for $120. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The $80 annual report, between January 1 and March 31, starting the year after you form.

6:24 The 3 best ways to file in Connecticut

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Connecticut. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $120 state fee, checkout comes to $319.

Maya What does that include?

Dan Your Certificate of Organization filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan In Connecticut, Mainstay files it by March 31 every year. You pay only the $80 state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan CT Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the state fee, also $319 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Connecticut Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $80 state fee is the same either way.

7:50 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and in Connecticut, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time.

8:14 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent, file the Certificate of Organization online for $120, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $80 annual report by March 31 every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Connecticut LLC.