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In this lesson we will walk you through starting a Connecticut LLC by filing your Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
The Certificate of Organization is the document that, once approved by the Secretary of State’s office, creates your Connecticut LLC.
And the fee to create an LLC is called the “LLC filing fee” or the “Certificate of Organization fee”.
Can I file an LLC online in Connecticut?
Yes, you can file your Certificate of Organization online, or you can file by mail.
In both cases, the LLC filing fee is $120. (see Connecticut LLC Cost to learn about all fees)
Or, you can hire a company to form your LLC instead. Check out Best LLC Services in Connecticut for our recommendations.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Connecticut?
How long it takes to get an LLC in Connecticut depends on whether you file online, or by mail.
If you file online, your LLC approval time takes 2-3 business days.
We recommend filing your Certificate of Organization online because the approval time is much faster. The state will also send you back a copy of your approved Certificate of Organization at no extra charge.
Note: Filing times may take longer due to government delays. For the most up-to-date LLC processing times, check how long does it take to get an LLC in Connecticut.
The instructions on this page are for the online filing only. However, if you are not very “tech comfortable” and prefer to file by mail, you can follow the Connecticut Certificate of Organization by mail lesson instead.
Prior LLC University® lessons
Before filing your Certificate of Organization, make sure you have read the prior lessons:
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(We recommend Northwest. We've reviewed all the top companies in the industry. And Northwest is our #1 pick for prices, customer support, and address privacy. Check out Northwest vs LegalZoom to learn more.)
Forming your LLC at the end of the year? Here’s how to save $80
If you’re forming your LLC towards the end of the year (October – December), but you don’t need your LLC open right away, we recommend waiting until January to form your LLC.
This way, you will save $80 because this pushes the due date of your first Annual Report ahead by more than one year.
For example: If your LLC was formed on November 10th 2026, your first Annual Report would be due in 2027. However, by waiting until January 2027 to form your LLC, then your first Annual Report wouldn’t be due until January 2028.
How to File the Connecticut Certificate of Organization Online
Note: Connecticut previously used an online system called CONCORD for online filings. CONCORD was phased out in June 2021. Since 2021, all online filings are processed through Connecticut’s “One Stop” business center. If you have a CONCORD login, this no longer works. You’ll need to create a One Stop account.
The first step to forming a Connecticut LLC online is to create a One Stop account.
If you already have a One Stop account, login (CT.gov: Login), then go to your Business Dashboard.
Create a “One Stop” Account
- Visit the CT.gov: Account Creation page.
- Enter your contact information and then click “Sign Up”.
- Go to your email, get the confirmation code, and then enter it.
- You can now sign in.
If you’re taken to your profile page, just click this link to go to the online filing: CT.gov: My Dashboard.
(Tip: We use 1Password to save all of our passwords. You might like it, too.)
Filing your LLC documents online
Get started:
- Go to CT.gov: Register Your Connecticut Business
- Click “Register Today“
Important: If you use a pop-up blocker, you will need to turn it off during the online filing.
Are you registering a new business in Connecticut?
Note: The instructions on this page are for forming a new LLC in Connecticut (aka a Domestic LLC). They are not for registering a Foreign LLC in Connecticut, however, the steps will be similar.
Click “Domestic“.
Will your business be any of these common legal structures?
Click “Limited Liability Company (LLC)“.
Notes:
- If you plan to have your LLC taxed as an S-Corporation, you should still select “LLC“. Don’t select “Stock Corporation“.
- Non-profit LLCs can only be formed if the LLC is owned by a company that is already tax-exempt by the IRS.
Did you previously pay to reserve a business name?
An LLC name reservation is not required to form an LLC in Connecticut. Most people select “No” because they didn’t reserve a name.
If you reserved an LLC name ahead of time, select “Yes“.
Business name
Enter your LLC name exactly as you would like it. Include your preferred capitalization, punctuation (commas, periods, etc.) and the designator (the ending).
Remember, Connecticut allows the following designators at the end of your LLC name:
- LLC (most common)
- L.L.C.
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
Tip 1: Your LLC name can use a comma or you can leave it out. For example, “Nutmeg Builders LLC” and “Nutmeg Builders, LLC” are both acceptable.
Tip 2: You can ignore the list of designators at the bottom of the One Stop online filing page.
If you enter a name that is not available, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a new LLC name altogether.
Business email
Enter your best email address. This can be a personal or business-purpose email address.
The Secretary of State will use this email to send notices to your LLC.
NAICS Code
An NAICS Code for an LLC is used by the Secretary of State to classify your LLC’s business activity. It’s used for statistical purposes.
You will tell the state which NAICS Code applies to your business. If your LLC’s activities change in the future, you can update this code on your LLC Annual Report.
You can search using keywords (like “restaurant” or “car wash”), or you can browse through the categories.
If you can’t find an NAICS Code for your business, just choose one that is similar or kind of related.
Tip: If your LLC will run multiple businesses, you just need to enter one NAICS Code. The state doesn’t investigate or enforce NAICS Codes. Again, they are just used for statistics.
Business survey (optional)
This section is optional.
You can complete it if you’d like, or you can skip it. Your LLC formation will not be affected either way.
If you want to skip it, select “Prefer not to Answer” in the first list. And then “Opt-out of sharing email address” in the second list.
Business Address
This page asks for both the Principal Office Address and the Mailing Address for your LLC.
Principal Office Address
Enter your LLC’s Principal Office Address.
What is a Principal Office Address?
It’s where the primary business activities take place and/or where your LLC records are kept.
Your Connecticut LLC’s Principal Office Address can be:
- located in Connecticut
- located in any state
- located in any country
- a home address
- an office address
- a mailbox rental address
- a virtual office address
- the address of your Connecticut Registered Agent (if your Registered Agent allows it)
Note: A PO Box address can’t be used in this section. If you hired Northwest Registered Agent, you can use their address for your LLC’s Principal Office Address.
Mailing Address
If you would like to receive mail at an address other than your Principal Office Address, enter that address here. Otherwise, check the box for “Same as principal office address“.
Your LLC’s Mailing Address can be any type of address (in any state or country). Additionally, PO Box addresses are allowed.
Add an agent (Registered Agent)
In this section, you’ll tell the state who the Registered Agent is for your LLC.
Click “Add agent details“. A pop-up window will appear.
If you, a friend, or family member are your LLC’s Registered Agent:
- Select “Individual“.
- Enter their contact information.
- Enter their addresses:
- Business address: Can be in any state or any country
- Connecticut residence address: Must be in Connecticut
- Connecticut mailing address: Must be in Connecticut
Note: For most people, all three addresses will be the same. However, they don’t have to be.
If you hired a Commercial Registered Agent:
- Select “Business“.
- Enter their company name in the search box and then select them from the list below.
- Click “Next” and enter their email address and phone number. Ignore that it asks for a mobile number. Use their office phone number.
- Review and proceed to the next step.
Tip: If you hired a Commercial Registered Agent, please call or email them to get their proper contact information.
If you hired Northwest Registered Agent, enter support@northwestregisteredagent.com and 509-768-2249.
Important: Your LLC Registered Agent will be sent an email and/or text message after you complete your filing. They must click the acceptance link within 72 hours or your filing will be rejected. If a friend or family member is your Registered Agent, tell them to be on the lookout. Commercial Registered Agents typically click the link within 24 hours. If you don’t receive confirmation of this happening, please give them a call.
Principals (Members and/or Managers)
- Related articles: Please read Who can be an LLC Member and LLC Member vs LLC Manager before proceeding.
Your Connecticut LLC must list at least one Principal. A Principal means an LLC Member or an LLC Manager.
Click “Add a principal“.
If your Registered Agent is also a Member or Manager of your LLC, click “Yes” and then select their title on the next page. Otherwise, click “No“.
Select whether the Member or Manager is a person or company.
If they are a company outside of Connecticut, click “Add manually“. Then enter their contact information and select their title. Email address is optional.
If they are a person, enter their name and select their title. Email address is optional. The system will ask whether the Principal has a business address.
- If you say no, it will prompt you for their residential address.
- If you say yes, it will require both a business and residential address.
Tip: If you hire Northwest Registered Agent, you can use their address for all of these fields.
Review and Signature
Review your information for accuracy and check for any typos. If you need to make any changes, click the “Edit” links. If all looks good, proceed to the next step.
Acknowledgement
- Related articles: LLC Organizer vs LLC Member and Registered Agent vs LLC Organizer
The LLC Organizer is the person who submits your filing to the state.
Most people filing their own Certificate of Organization are also the Organizer. If this is the case, agree to the terms, select your name from the list, and go to the next step.
Note: The Filer’s signature isn’t editable on this page. If you want to edit it, please go to your account profile.
Payment
Check the box agreeing to the terms and click “Continue to Payment“.
Enter your billing information and submit your filing to the state.
Congratulations!
Your LLC has been filed for processing!
Now you just need to wait for approval :)
Connecticut LLC Approval Time
The Connecticut Secretary of State will process and approve your LLC in 2-3 business days.
Once your LLC is approved:
- The state will email you an approved Certificate of Organization.
- They’ll also email you an Acceptance Letter.
Note: Sometimes they arrive in the same email, or sometimes you will receive 2 separate emails.
Connecticut Secretary of State
If you have any questions, you can contact the Connecticut Secretary of State at 860-509-6002.
Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8am – 4:30pm Eastern time.
Search your domain name
If you plan on building a website, you can quickly register your domain name. Creating a website with your business name as the domain name can help people find your business online. You can easily search and purchase a domain name through GoDaddy.
Find a domain name
References
CTNext: New Business Resources
CT Data Collaborative: NAICS Code Lookup
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-247e Filing Requirements
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-247f Effective Date and Time
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-251a Liability of Members and Managers
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-247 Formation of Limited Liability Company
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-255f Management of the Limited Liability Company
Connecticut LLC Act: Section 34-247b Signing of Records Delivered to Secretary of the State
Connecticut Secretary of State: New Business Checklist
Information verified on October 27, 2026
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.