Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 12:13 pm by TRUiC Team

How to File a DBA in Connecticut

Registering a DBA, known in Connecticut as a trade name, will establish your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.

We’ll show you how to register a Connecticut DBA below.

Or, you can save time and use a trusted DBA service.

Recommended: Register your DBA and establish your brand with LegalZoom. Packages start at $99 (plus state filing fees).

Learn how to file a DBA Connecticut

Register a Trade Name in CT

Registering a Connecticut trade name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Your Connecticut trade name must be unique and must also meet Connecticut’s business name requirements.

Before you file, you will need to search city records to make sure your exact name isn’t already taken. We will provide contact information for city offices in Step 2. You will also need to consider any state naming rules.

Your Connecticut trade name should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
  • Restricted words (e.g. Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your business.
  • Words that imply that the company is organized for anything other than its permitted purpose.
  • Certain words related to banks, trusts, and savings.

We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our free logo generator.

Step 2: Register Your Connecticut DBA

Connecticut trade names are filed with the city where your principal place of business is located.

Filing a DBA With the City Clerk

DBA regulations are managed by the state of Connecticut, which means the steps for getting a DBA are similar from city to city.

We will provide step-by-step directions to get a Stamford city trade name. If you need to file in a different city, contact the correct city clerk for instructions.

These links will lead you to the trade name websites for some of the more populated cities:

For a complete list of city contact information, visit the Connecticut Town Clerks Association website.

How to File a City of Stamford DBA

Trade names can be filed by mail or in-person with the Certificate of Registration of Trade Name form.

Reminder: Stamford city requires that you check their trade name records before filing to make sure your name isn’t already taken.

Recommended: Use a reputable service. LegalZoom offers a hassle free DBA filing package starting at $99 + State Filing Fees.

File a Connecticut Trade Name

File the Trade Name Statement by Mail or In Person

Download Form

Cost:
$10 Filing fee

Filing Address:
City of Stamford Town Clerk
888 Washington Boulevard
Stamford, CT 06901

Manage Your City of Stamford DBA

DBA Questions
Call (203) 977-4054 for general questions about Stamford trade names.

Renew Your Stamford DBA
You do not need to renew your Connecticut trade name.

Change Your Stamford DBA
You can make amendments to your trade name registration by filling out the Certificate of Registration of Trade Name with the updated information and checking the box next to “amend.”

Withdraw Your Stamford DBA
You can cancel your trade name by filling out the Certificate of Registration of Trade Name and checking the box next to “cancel.”

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

After Filing Your Connecticut DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, then there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:

  • Create your Business’s Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that’s best for you.
  • Get your Business Finances in Order - You’ll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business has long lead times or other cash flow irregularities, you can also look into a business credit card.
  • Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business’s assets also need protection. Having the right business insurance will ensure that you’re covered if the worst happens. Most businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

DBA Connecticut FAQ

You can have as many DBAs as you can afford to create and are able to keep track of. Each one comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.

DBAs aren’t required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren’t a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To learn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.

No. An LLC is a business entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.

Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business entity, therefore it can choose to become an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.

A DBA can only have Inc. in the name if the business entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.

Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will not afford you any protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental property. In any case, it is always best to consult an attorney.

Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business’s legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name change.

Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to state. It is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.