To form an LLC in Connecticut, file a Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State through Business.CT.gov, appointing a registered agent in the same filing. The state fee is $120, with an optional $50 for expedited online service, and every Connecticut LLC then files an $80 annual report each year (as of October 2026).
Connecticut’s process is almost entirely online, and the paperwork is short. The steps below cover the name, the agent, the filing itself and what to set up afterward: an operating agreement, an EIN, tax registration and any licenses your trade needs.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Connecticut (2026)
Here are our top picks for forming an LLC in Connecticut, ranked. Mainstay Filing comes first for its flat yearly price; the two Connecticut registered agent services below it are options if you only need an agent.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | CT Registered Agent.org | Connecticut registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Connecticut Registered Agent.co | Connecticut registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Connecticut. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. CT Registered Agent.org
CT Registered Agent.org is a Connecticut registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Connecticut Registered Agent.co
Connecticut Registered Agent.co is a Connecticut registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Connecticut LLC at a glance
| Topic | Connecticut (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services |
| Online portal | Business.CT.gov (account required) |
| Formation document | Certificate of Organization |
| Filing fee | $120 |
| Expedited service | $50 per online transaction (not available for mailed filings) |
| Annual report | $80, filed online every year |
| Name reservation | Optional; $60 |
| Registered agent | Required; appointed in the Certificate of Organization |
| Publication | Not required |
Fees come from the state’s domestic LLC forms and fees and annual report fees pages. Mainstay Filing’s Connecticut LLC costs page puts those state fees next to its service pricing.
How do you name a Connecticut LLC?
Include “Limited Liability Company” or an accepted abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the name, and make sure it’s distinguishable from every business already registered with the Secretary of the State.
A practical workflow:
- Brainstorm with the namechk business name generator to get a long list quickly.
- Search each favorite in the state’s online business search. Our Connecticut business name search guide explains how to search for close variations.
- Look for federal trademark conflicts in the USPTO database.
- Check that the domain and social handles are available on namechk.
If you need to hold the name while you get organized, an Application for Reservation of Name costs $60 and can be filed online.
Who can be your Connecticut registered agent?
Connecticut appoints the agent inside the Certificate of Organization itself (the state’s forms page calls it a statutory agent), so decide this before you file. The agent receives lawsuits and official notices on the LLC’s behalf at a Connecticut address, which means it should be a street address where someone is reliably present during business hours.
An owner who lives in Connecticut can serve, as can a friend, an attorney, or a business that provides agent services. The trade-off with doing it yourself is privacy and availability: the address is public, and missing a served lawsuit can lead to a default judgment. Mainstay Filing includes a year of registered agent service in its formation package if you’d rather not handle it. Our Connecticut registered agent guide goes further into the requirements.
How do you file the Certificate of Organization?
Log in to Business.CT.gov (or create an account) and choose to form a new business. The online form walks you through:
- The LLC’s name
- The principal office address and mailing address
- The registered agent’s name, address and acceptance
- At least one manager or member, with addresses
- An email address for official notices, including annual report notices
- The organizer’s signature
The fee is $120. Connecticut offers expedited handling for $50 per transaction, but only online; the option appears at the end of the filing process. Paper forms are still available for filings that aren’t offered online, though expedited service doesn’t apply to mailed paperwork.
Do you need an operating agreement in Connecticut?
Connecticut doesn’t collect operating agreements, but you should still sign one. It’s the private contract that controls how your LLC works: ownership shares, contributions, voting, distributions, management authority and the exit process if a member leaves.
Multi-member LLCs need one to avoid relying on the state’s default rules. Single-member LLCs benefit too, because a written agreement helps show that the business is a separate legal entity.
How do you get an EIN and register for Connecticut taxes?
Apply for an Employer Identification Number on the IRS website. It’s free, and banks generally require it before opening a business account.
Next, register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services through its myconneCT portal if you’ll collect sales tax, withhold wages or owe other state taxes. Employers also register with the Connecticut Department of Labor for unemployment insurance.
One less federal task: FinCEN’s beneficial ownership page says U.S.-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting under the final rule effective August 2026.
When does a Connecticut LLC file its annual report?
Every Connecticut LLC files an annual report online, and the fee is $80. The report confirms the LLC’s addresses, agent and principals.
Connecticut LLC reports follow a calendar-year schedule: file between January 1 and March 31. The state’s annual report due date page also explains how to log in to Business.CT.gov, open your business, and see when the last report was filed and when the next one is due. The Secretary of the State also emails the address on file about a month before the due date (or mails a postcard if there’s no email). An overdue report blocks you from getting a certificate of legal existence, which banks and lenders often ask for.
What licenses does a Connecticut LLC need?
Connecticut doesn’t have a general statewide business license. Many occupations, from contractors to food businesses, are licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection or another state agency, and your town may have its own permits and zoning rules. Check both before opening your doors.
What does a Connecticut LLC cost?
| Item | State fee (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization | $120 |
| Expedited service (optional, online only) | $50 |
| Reservation of Name (optional) | $60 |
| Annual report | $80 per year |
The minimum to form is $120, and the minimum ongoing state cost is the $80 annual report. Licenses and permits are extra and depend on your industry and town.
Connecticut LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Secretary of the State charges $120 to file a Certificate of Organization, as of October 2026. Expedited online service adds $50, and an optional name reservation costs $60. After formation, each Connecticut LLC files an $80 annual report every year, which is the main recurring state cost.
How much is the Connecticut LLC annual report?
The Connecticut LLC annual report costs $80 and must be filed online through Business.CT.gov, according to the state’s annual report forms and fees page. LLC reports are filed between January 1 and March 31 each year, and your business record online shows the next due date.
Can I file a Connecticut LLC by mail?
Connecticut directs most filings to Business.CT.gov, where you need an account. Paper forms remain available for filings that aren’t offered online, but expedited service is only available for online filings. Filing online is generally the simplest way to submit a Certificate of Organization.
Can I be my own registered agent in Connecticut?
Yes. A Connecticut resident with a Connecticut street address can serve as the LLC’s registered agent, including an owner. The agent must be available to accept legal papers during business hours, and the address becomes public, which is why many owners appoint a professional registered agent instead.
Does Connecticut require an operating agreement?
Connecticut doesn’t require you to file an operating agreement with the state. It’s still strongly recommended, because it governs ownership, management and what happens when a member leaves. Without one, Connecticut’s default LLC rules apply, which may not match what the members intended.
Can I expedite a Connecticut LLC filing?
Yes, but only online. Connecticut charges $50 per transaction for expedited service, and the option appears at the end of the online filing process on Business.CT.gov when it’s available for that filing. Expedited handling isn’t offered for paper forms sent by mail, so owners in a hurry should file the Certificate of Organization online.
Does Connecticut require newspaper publication for a new LLC?
No. Connecticut has no publication requirement for new LLCs. Once the Secretary of the State accepts the Certificate of Organization, the LLC exists. The remaining steps are internal or tax-related: an operating agreement, an EIN, state tax registration through myconneCT if needed, and any licenses or local permits.
What happens if a Connecticut LLC misses its annual report?
An LLC with an overdue annual report can’t obtain a certificate of legal existence from the Secretary of the State, which can make it difficult to open accounts, get financing or close deals. Connecticut doesn’t charge a late fee, but an LLC more than a year in default can be administratively dissolved, so file the $80 report between January 1 and March 31.
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