Connecticut LLC Name Search
Before establishing your Connecticut LLC, it’s important to perform a thorough Connecticut LLC name search with the state.
Our guide will walk you through ensuring your chosen name is available and compliant with the state's regulations.
Recommended: Northwest ($29 + State Fees) will register your business name when you form an LLC.
Check LLC Name Availability in Connecticut
1. Do a Connecticut Business Name Search
You can use Connecticut’s Business Records Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like "LLC." This will return all entities using the same or similar names.
If your business name is several words, you can even search just the first two words to ensure you pull up all possible similar names. However, be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available.
Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow Connecticut Naming Guidelines
When forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Connecticut, there are several important guidelines to adhere to when selecting your company name.
Note that these rules do not apply to trade names.
Specific Words or Abbreviations
Firstly, the name of your limited liability company is required to include certain words or abbreviations. It should contain either the word “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, or “Limited.”
Alternatively, words or abbreviations with similar meaning in another language are also acceptable. However, the name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for a purpose different from what is allowed by section 33-645 and its articles of organization.
Uniqueness Requirement
Secondly, the chosen name needs to be unique. It must be distinguishable from the names of other entities recorded by the Secretary of the State. This includes names of corporations, both non-profit and for-profit, limited partnerships, other limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships, whether domestic or foreign.
Exception to the Uniqueness Requirement
There are specific circumstances where an LLC can apply to use a name that isn't distinguishable from others recorded by the Secretary of State. These include:
- The other LLC, limited partnership, corporation, or limited liability partnership consents to the use of the name in writing and commits to changing its name to something distinguishable.
- The applying LLC provides a certified copy of the final court judgment establishing its right to use the desired name in the state.
Furthermore, an LLC can use the name of another domestic or foreign LLC if it has merged with the other LLC, reorganized the other LLC, or acquired all or most of the assets, including the corporate name, of the other LLC.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Connecticut Business Name
If you're set to establish an LLC in Connecticut, you should know that Connecticut does not require you to reserve a business name before submitting your Certificate of Organization. This process allows you to register your business name and start your LLC all at once.
Whether you're ready to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, we're here to guide you through every step.
Register Your Connecticut LLC Name
In Connecticut, registering your LLC name is a straightforward process. You will officially register your business name while filing the Connecticut Certificate of Organization. This key document marks the formal commencement of your business in the state.
The Connecticut Secretary of State’s website provides comprehensive instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Keep in mind: If you opt for a professional LLC formation service, they will handle both the registration of your LLC name and the establishment of your LLC, making the process simpler. To learn more, see our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your Connecticut Business Entity Name
Connecticut’s Secretary of State Business Services Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days.
To reserve a business name, you must file an Application for Reservation of Name online, by mail, or in person. Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your application to avoid rejection. When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to the "Secretary of State.”
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Connecticut Reservation of Name
OPTION 1: Reserve Online With the State of Connecticut
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: File by Mail or In Person
Download FormFee: $60
Mailing Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Office Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services.
Find out which is best for you.
Other Considerations
While reserving the name for your LLC is straightforward, there are some other things you should think about when choosing the best name for your business. You may want to do a Trademark and Social Media search for your name to see if it's available for use across the internet. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.
Trademark Search
Conducting a trademark search of your business name and associated slogans or logos before registering can help prevent costly litigation in the future. Discovering that another entity has trademarked your business name does not automatically disqualify you from using it.
However, it is important to know who is using the name, what industry they operate in, and where they are located to be sure you do not inadvertently infringe upon anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To complete this step:
- Search Connecticut’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state.
- Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s electronic records to find any federally registered trademarks associated with your business name.
Social Media Search
Just as important, or more so, than finding a domain name that fits your business is ensuring that your business name is available for use across social media platforms. You can do this by simply searching your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
Having a name for your business is an important first step for creating a successful LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name using Connecticut's Business Entity Search, you'll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online. Reserving your name with an Application for Reservation of Name will help you stand out from the competition. With your name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.
FAQs
To perform a Connecticut LLC name search, navigate to the Connecticut Secretary of State's online business database. Enter your chosen LLC name into the search field, then review the results to ensure that the name is unique and not already in use.
A Connecticut LLC name search is necessary to confirm the uniqueness of your proposed LLC name. It ensures that the name isn't already taken by another business in the state, helping to prevent potential legal conflicts or trademark infringements.
A Connecticut LLC name search should ideally be done during the initial planning stages of your LLC. If a considerable amount of time has passed since your last search and the name isn't registered, another search is recommended before finalizing your registration.
In Connecticut, an LLC's name must be distinct from existing entities, must end with "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C.," and cannot use words that could mislead people into thinking the business is a government agency or has a purpose it does not.
Not exactly. But, upon verifying that your preferred LLC name is available through the Connecticut LLC name search, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Connecticut Secretary of State and paying the requisite fee.