Connecticut Registered Agent
If you want to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), you will need to appoint a Connecticut registered agent.
This can be an individual or a registered agent service. Most small business owners use a registered agent service. This is because services can:
- Protect your privacy and reduce risk
- Give you the freedom of being absent from your registered office address during normal business hours
- Store your important legal documents online
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Connecticut
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Your Connecticut registered agent will receive important legal correspondence from the Secretary of State and other federal agencies (e.g., annual report reminders, tax notifications, etc.).
Connecticut registered agents are also responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business in the event of a pending lawsuit.
In Connecticut, you must appoint a registered agent. This can be a registered agent service or an individual, as long as:
- They’re at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical street address in Connecticut.
- They’re always available during regular business hours at their business address.
Connecticut Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Working with a third-party service provider will allow you to operate with more flexibility on a day-to-day basis. This is because you will not be responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business.
- Privacy: If you use a third-party service, your provider’s name and address will become publicly available (rather than your own).
- Legal compliance: Most services offer additional features that can help you keep your business compliant (e.g., reminders for annual reports, etc.).
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes you can, although this is generally not recommended for most businesses.
This is because acting as your own agent will not save you a significant amount of money (i.e., between $90 and $300 per year) and will come with several drawbacks:
- You will be solely responsible for receiving service of process on behalf of your business — This means that you will need to be physically present in your business address during normal working hours.
- You will need to go through all paperwork sent to you from the Secretary of State independently — This can be quite time-consuming.
- You may not have access to some of the features offered by third-party services — This includes annual report reminders and online documents.
If you are forming a new LLC, it makes sense to hire a formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These types of services charge as little as $29 per formation (plus state fees) and can ensure that your corporate filings do not get rejected.
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Connecticut guide.
Best Connecticut Registered Agent Service
If you're in Connecticut and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Connecticut registered agent services below.
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Best Registered Agent Services |
|
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Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
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LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
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VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Connecticut. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a commercial registered agent service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A premium registered agent service will ensure that you don’t miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Connecticut Business Records Search. Using a registered agent service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about losing an important document.
A registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How Do I Elect a Registered Agent in Connecticut?
For your LLC in Connecticut, you will be required to elect your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Certificate of Organization.
This is also known as the Articles of Organization outside of Connecticut and is the main LLC formation document that you will need to file with the Connecticut Secretary of State in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online with the State of Connecticut's CT.gov Business portal ($150 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested when you file your LLC’s Certificate of Organization in the "Key Contacts" section.
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Certificate of Organization ($150 filing fee required), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy at the Connecticut Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent’s information under Article IV on page 1:
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Connecticut?
If you want to appoint a new agent, you will need to submit a Change of Agent form via the CT.gov Business website.
Alternatively, you can also submit the forms via mail or deliver them in-person:
- Domestic companies (within Connecticut)
- Foreign companies (outside of Connecticut)
This can be done online, by mail, or in person.
Mail:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
In Person:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
Consent to Appointment
Your new registered agent also will need to consent to their appointment. They can do this by signing the Change of Agent form (for paper filings). For online filings, the authorizer must acknowledge that the agent has consented to their appointment.
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Connecticut guide.
Connecticut Registered Agent FAQs
Yes, you can, as long as you are 18 years old, have a physical address in Connecticut, and will always be available for contact during normal business hours.
Having said that, we recommend avoiding this approach if possible. This is because being your own Connecticut registered agent can be quite time-inefficient and will also give you less flexibility.
A registered agent — also known as a statutory agent or a resident agent — is an individual or third-party service that acts as your business’s point of contact with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
Agents are also responsible for receiving service of process in the event of a pending lawsuit.
See our What is a Registered Agent article for more information.
It can do; this will depend on how your business is registered.
For example, Connecticut LLCs and corporations are required to appoint a registered agent to receive service of process, whereas sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not.
This is because LLCs and corporations are incorporated entities (i.e., separate from their owners).
A registered agent acts as an LLC’s point of contact with the SOS and will also be responsible for receiving service of process in the event of a pending lawsuit.
This can be an individual or a business entity (e.g., a registered agent service, etc.).
You can become your own agent by filling in your own details in Section 4 of your LLC’s Certificate of Organization.
This is the main formation document that you will need to file with the Secretary of State in order to officially form your LLC.