Connecticut Business Name Search: How to Check and Reserve a Name

Before you file your LLC or corporation with Connecticut, you need a name that's legally available and distinguishable from existing registered businesses. This guide walks you through searching the Connecticut business entity database, understanding naming requirements, and reserving your name to hold it while you complete formation.

What You'll Need

To search and reserve a Connecticut business name, gather these resources before you start:

• Internet access and a web browser
• The Connecticut Secretary of the State Business Services Division website
• Your proposed business name (with multiple options if your first choice might be taken)
• A payment method if you plan to reserve the name (fee: $60)
• About 15 to 30 minutes for research and searching

The search itself is free through the Connecticut Secretary of the State. You only pay if you decide to formally reserve the name.

Step-by-Step: How to Search for a Connecticut Business Name

Step 1: Visit the Connecticut Business Records Search

Go to the official Connecticut Secretary of the State business search portal. This free database shows the business entities on the Secretary of the State's records. Use the search options on the page to look up your proposed name.

Step 2: Understand Connecticut Name Requirements Before Searching

Connecticut has specific rules about what you can name your business. Knowing these rules before you search saves time and prevents wasted attempts on unavailable names.

For Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): Your name must include the words "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation such as "LLC" or "L.L.C." Your name must also be distinguishable from all other names already registered or reserved with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Avoid names that are confusingly similar to existing businesses, even if they are not identical.

For Corporations: Corporate names must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or an abbreviation like "Corp." or "Inc." The same distinguishability requirement applies.

Restricted words: If your name suggests a regulated activity like banking, insurance, credit unions, or trust services, Connecticut requires proof of authorization from the appropriate state agency before you can register. Do not use these words unless you have that authorization.

Step 3: Run Your Name Search

Enter your proposed business name into the search box. The database will show you whether the exact name exists, any similar names, and the status of any matching records. Treat any matching record as a possible conflict until the Secretary of the State confirms otherwise.

Run searches on several variations of your name:

• Your full name with "LLC" at the end
• Your name with "Limited Liability Company"
• Slightly different versions (synonyms, abbreviations, or spelling variants)
• Common misspellings someone might search

This helps you understand the competitive landscape and avoid near-conflicts that could trigger objections from the Connecticut Secretary of the State when you file.

Step 4: Check the Status of Similar Names

If you find a name that is similar to yours, click on the record to see its status. A name that is active or reserved is off limits. If a record shows as dissolved or inactive, ask the Secretary of the State's Business Services Division before assuming the name is free, and do not rely on it for your new business. Always choose a name that is available right now.

Step 5: Verify Your Choice Is Truly Available

Once you find a name that shows no results or only results for unrelated businesses, you have found an available name. Write it down exactly as you plan to file it with the state. Capitalization and punctuation must match what you will put on your formation documents.

Step-by-Step: How to Reserve a Business Name in Connecticut

A name search tells you what is available today, but availability can change. Reserving your name holds it for 120 days while you prepare your LLC or corporation formation documents.

Step 1: Log Into or Create a Business.CT.gov Account

Go to Business.CT.gov, the Connecticut Secretary of the State's online filing portal. If you do not already have an account, you will be prompted to create one. You need to be logged in to file online.

Step 2: Select the Name Reservation Form

Once logged in, select the Application for Reservation of Name. The state lists this same $60 application for both LLCs and stock corporations, so use it for either one:

• For LLCs: Application for Reservation of Name ($60)
• For stock corporations: Application for Reservation of Name ($60)
• For other entity types: the state's Application for Reservation of Name (form BUS-002) is written for all business entities

Step 3: Complete the Reservation Form

Fill in the form with the exact name you want to reserve. The name must be spelled and punctuated exactly as you plan to use it on your formation documents. You will also provide:

• The filing party's name, address and email
• The full legal name and address of the applicant, plus the name and capacity of the person signing
• A signature and the date signed

Double-check all spelling and formatting before submitting. Errors can delay your reservation, so check the form carefully before you submit it.

Step 4: Pay the $60 Reservation Fee

The name reservation fee is $60. You pay online as part of the filing. Check the payment screen or ask the Secretary of the State about accepted payment methods and refunds before you pay.

Step 5: Receive Your Reservation Confirmation

After you pay, the state will confirm your reservation. Connecticut holds the name for 120 days. Save the confirmation and note the date, because you will want to file your official formation documents (Certificate of Organization for an LLC, or Certificate of Incorporation for a corporation) before the reservation ends.

Step 6: File Your Formation Documents Within 120 Days

Your name reservation lasts 120 days. Within this window, you must file your actual LLC or corporation formation documents. If you do not file within 120 days, your reservation expires and the name becomes available to other businesses again. Do not wait until the last minute.

Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Including the Required Legal Designation

Connecticut law requires that LLC names include "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation (LLC, L.L.C.). Forgetting this word will cause the Connecticut Secretary of the State to reject your name during formation. Search for your name WITH the abbreviation, not just the business name alone.

Mistake 2: Choosing a Name Too Similar to an Existing Business

"Distinguishable" does not mean completely different. Connecticut law prohibits names that are confusingly similar to existing registered names, even if they are not word-for-word identical. For example, "Blue Sky Consulting LLC" and "Blue Sky Consulting Group LLC" might be ruled too similar. If your search finds a business with a nearly identical name, assume it is unavailable and choose a different name.

Mistake 3: Waiting Too Long to File After Reserving

Your 120-day reservation window goes quickly, especially if you are also researching registered agents, forming an operating agreement, or applying for licenses. Mark your 120-day deadline on a calendar and file at least 1 to 2 weeks before it expires, so you have time to fix any filing errors or issues.

Mistake 4: Not Checking for Trademark Conflicts

Availability in the Connecticut Secretary of the State database does not mean the name is legally safe to use. A federal trademark holder or another business in a different state could challenge your use of the name later. Before you finalize your choice, do a quick search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website (www.uspto.gov) to make sure your name does not conflict with a registered trademark. This search is free and takes 10 minutes.

Mistake 5: Using a Post Office Box for Your Registered Agent Address

Connecticut requires that you appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent. The agent's business address must be a usual place of business in Connecticut that is customarily open during normal business hours. A post office box does not qualify. If you do not have a physical Connecticut business location, consider hiring a professional registered agent service or use the home address of a co-owner who lives in Connecticut.

Tip 1: Brainstorm Multiple Name Options

Have a second, third, and fourth choice name ready before you start searching. If your first choice is taken, you can quickly move to your backup instead of starting over. This approach also helps you find a name that truly resonates with your brand.

Tip 2: Keep Your Search Notes

Write down which names you searched, the dates you searched them, and whether they were available. This creates a paper trail that can help if there is ever a dispute about who chose the name first or when you began your formation process.

Tip 3: Combine Searching and Reservation

You do not have to wait weeks between searching and reserving. Once you confirm a name is available through the free search, you can reserve it the same day. The sooner you reserve, the sooner your 120-day window begins, and the sooner you can move toward filing your formation documents.

Expected Results

After searching, you should know:

• Whether your proposed name is available in the Connecticut business database
• What similar names exist and whether they could cause a conflict
• The exact spelling and formatting Connecticut requires for your name

After reserving, you will receive:

• Confirmation of your reservation from the state
• A reservation that lasts 120 days
• The authority to proceed with filing your LLC or corporation formation documents

The state does not publish a standard approval time for name reservations. Most filings made on Business.CT.gov are accepted automatically, so expedited service is usually unnecessary; if the option is offered at the end of an online filing, it costs $50 per transaction (24 hours, online only).

Next Steps After Reserving Your Name

Once your name is reserved, you have 120 days to file your official formation documents. Here is what comes next:

• File your LLC formation documents (Certificate of Organization) or corporation documents (Certificate of Incorporation). For LLCs, the filing fee is $120. For stock corporations, the Certificate of Incorporation is $250, followed by a $150 Organization and First Report.
• Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, even if you are a sole proprietor. This is free and takes 15 minutes online at www.irs.gov.
• Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services if you will be selling taxable goods or services. The registration fee is $100. Visit portal.ct.gov/drs to apply.
• Register for any industry-specific licenses your business needs (health permits, contractor licenses, professional certifications, etc.). Use the Business.CT.gov New Business Checklist to identify requirements for your industry.
• Hire a registered agent if you have not already. Your registered agent is required before you file formation documents.

You do not need to complete all of these steps before filing your formation documents, but you should begin the process within your 120-day window so everything is ready when you launch.

Important Disclaimer

This article is informational and educational only. It is not legal or tax advice. Connecticut business formation law is complex, and name registration rules can change. Before you rely on the information in this article to make business decisions, consult with a qualified Connecticut business attorney and a CPA or tax professional. An attorney can review your name choice, help you file formation documents correctly, and advise you on registered agent requirements and operating agreements. A tax professional can explain Connecticut business tax rules and sales tax obligations specific to your business type.

For official guidance, visit the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division or call their office during business hours.