Connecticut LLC Cost 

The minimum Connecticut LLC cost is $120, which covers the processing fee for filing your Certificate of Organization.

However, the total cost of forming a Connecticut LLC can vary based on your personal preferences and business needs.

In our Connecticut LLC Cost article, we break down everything you need to know about the costs associated with starting and maintaining an LLC in the state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Connecticut LLC Cost

Below is a summary of the main requirements for forming a Connecticut limited liability company (LLC) and their associated fees.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Organization	$120
Registered Agent	$0-$150+
LLC Name	$0-$70

Connecticut LLC Filing Fee ($120+)

To officially form your LLC in Connecticut, you must submit a Certificate of Organization to the Secretary of State, which you can do either online or via mail. 

In order to submit this filing, you’ll need to pay a $120 fee as well as provide the following information:

• The legal name of your LLC
• Your LLC’s principal office and mailing address
• The names, addresses, and email addresses of your LLC’s managers and/or members
• The name and signature of your LLC’s organizer

For foreign LLCs registering in Connecticut, the filing fee is the same but you'll need to submit a Foreign Registration Statement instead.

If you choose to use an LLC formation service, expect the cost to be slightly higher due to the service fee that will be added on top of Connecticut’s state filing fee.

The fees for an LLC formation service can vary, starting from as low as $29 depending on the provider you choose. 

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024.

Connecticut Registered Agent ($0-$150+)

As part of filing your Certificate of Organization, you'll need to appoint a registered agent. This is an individual or business entity assigned to receive tax, legal, and governmental correspondence on behalf of your Connecticut LLC.

Your registered agent must sign the relevant section of your LLC’s Certificate of Organization in order to officially accept the role.

You can serve as your own registered agent at no cost, but hiring a professional service is often recommended to avoid potential penalties or legal issues that could arise from non-compliance with state regulations.

Additionally, hiring a third-party service can also keep your personal information private, as your own address won’t appear in public records.

The cost of a registered agent service is typically around $100 annually, though this will ultimately depend on the service provider and specific package that you select. 

Note: Your registered agent’s address must be a physical location in Connecticut; PO boxes are not acceptable.

Connecticut LLC Name ($0-$70)

When forming your Connecticut LLC, you must choose a name that’s both available and complies with state requirements.

Even though this is free, there are two potential costs that can be associated with naming your LLC. 

Reserving a Name

Before filing your Certificate of Organization, you can reserve your preferred business name for up to 120 days. 

To do this, you can file online or submit the Application For Reservation Of Name form by mail to the Secretary of State — both of which cost $60.

You can (and should) verify that your desired LLC name is available by conducting a Business Registry Search on the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website before filing a name reservation.

In addition, we also strongly recommend conducting a quick domain search in order to ensure that you’ll have a business website URL that’s similar to your desired name. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate your business under a different name than the one it's currently legally registered as, you’ll need to obtain a Doing Business As (DBA) name, which is also known as a Trade Name in Connecticut.

The first step to obtaining a DBA name for your LLC is to check that the name isn’t already in use — this is done by searching the city clerk’s office records in the jurisdiction where your business is located.

For example, if your business is in Stamford, you’d check the Stamford City Clerk’s database. Registration of the DBA is done with the city, and fees typically range from $5 to $10, depending on the location in question. 

Note: DBAs in Connecticut do not expire, meaning that they don’t require renewal.

Optional Connecticut LLC Formation Costs

Besides the standard fees, you may encounter additional formation costs depending on your LLC’s specific circumstances.

You can find more detailed information on each of these potential additional costs in the sections below:

Connecticut LLC Operating Agreement

While not mandatory, having an operating agreement for your LLC is highly recommended. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of your LLC’s members or managers, which can help to prevent potential disputes in future.

You can draft this document yourself at no cost or hire an online service or attorney, which could cost several hundred dollars.

Note: This document is for internal use only and so does not need to be filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State.

Expedited Connecticut LLC Filing

If you need quicker processing, the Connecticut Secretary of State offers expedited filing services for a fee of $50. 

In order to request this faster processing service, you’ll need to submit an Expedited Service Request form to the Secretary of State alongside the fee indicated above.

Note: Expedited requests are processed within 24 hours (not including mailing time).

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and industry, it may be required to obtain certain local business licenses in order to operate legally.

For example, New Haven requires street vendors to obtain a Street Vendor’s License, which varies in cost based on its duration (e.g., an annual license costs $200).

Certificate of Legal Existence

A Connecticut Certificate of Legal Existence may be needed if you want to open a business bank account or secure funding from lenders; this is because acts as a verification of your LLC’s registration and legal standing.

You can request this certificate online from the Connecticut Secretary of State for $55.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you want to obtain any copies of your LLC’s business documents for legal or financial purposes, you can request them from the Connecticut Secretary of State.

The fee for this is $40 for plain copies and $55 for certified copies.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Connecticut LLC

After forming your Connecticut LLC, you’ll have certain maintenance costs to consider each year. 

We’ve included the two most common ones below. 

Annual Report Fee

Every year, all Connecticut LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and March 31. You’ll need to submit this annual report online and pay an $80 filing fee.

Keep in mind that you will receive a reminder via email around a month before the due date for this. If no email is provided, a postcard will be sent to your registered business address.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you use a professional registered agent service, you’ll need to pay an annual fee that typically ranges between $125 and $300 depending on the provider in question and the services offered. 

It’s worth noting that, even though this isn’t a legal requirement, it’s strongly recommended — especially for new business owners. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Connecticut Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Connecticut LLC vs Other States

Connecticut's initial formation fee of $120 is higher than the national average, though its annual report fee of only $80 is midrange.

Connecticut is also known for its business-friendly environment, particularly in industries like finance, insurance, and advanced manufacturing.

Regardless, you should note that the best state to form your LLC in will be the state you plan to operate from. This is because this will ensure that you do not have to pay registration and maintenance fees in more than one state.