[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.