How much does it cost to start an LLC in Connecticut?

Your total first-year cost reaches $200 when you add the $80 annual report fee due by March 31 of the year following formation. For example, if you form your LLC in July 2026, your first $80 annual report is due by March 31, 2027. Budget for this expense early. Additional costs typically include a registered agent service and optional operating agreement preparation. Exception: professional LLCs in fields like law or medicine must obtain a separate professional license before operating. File your Certificate of Formation online at bizfile.ct.gov for the fastest submission and immediate confirmation. Most online filings are automatically accepted; paper filings have no published turnaround.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Connecticut?

Connecticut says most filings made online through Business.CT.gov are automatically accepted, so expedited service is unnecessary for online filers. Connecticut's filing pages state no turnaround for paper filings. Expedited service is "$50 per transaction" and "is only available for filings submitted online. Expedited service is not applicable for filings by mail." The $50 applies per transaction, so a filing and a certified copy are two charges. File online, since Connecticut says most online filings are automatically accepted.

Do I need a registered agent in Connecticut?

Yes, Connecticut law requires every LLC to designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical Connecticut street address, P.O. boxes aren't permitted. Who is available during standard business hours to receive legal documents and official state correspondence. This requirement is ongoing: your registered agent must remain in place for the entire life of your LLC. For example, a Hartford business owner can list themselves as registered agent using their office address, satisfying the requirement at no additional cost. Exception: if you work remotely, travel frequently, or don't have a consistent Connecticut business address, you must hire a professional registered agent service. Professional services charge a yearly fee and keep your personal address off the registered agent line of the public Connecticut business registry. Update your registered agent information with the Connecticut Secretary of the State immediately whenever changes occur.

Does Connecticut require LLC publication?

No, Connecticut doesn't require LLCs to publish a formation notice in any newspaper. Once the Connecticut Secretary of the State approves your Certificate of Formation and issues your Certificate of Organization, your LLC is legally formed and ready to conduct business, no newspaper step required. This saves Connecticut founders the newspaper charges that apply in states like New York, where mandatory publication is charged at rates the newspapers set. Arizona requires a newspaper notice of a new LLC's formation, run three consecutive times within 60 days, unless the LLC's statutory agent has a street address in a county of more than 800,000 people (currently Maricopa and Pima Counties), where the Arizona Corporation Commission posts the notice online for free. Exception: certain Connecticut professional licenses or local municipal permits may have their own public notice requirements separate from LLC formation. Check with your industry's regulatory board and your local town hall. To confirm your LLC is officially active, verify that your Certificate of Organization appears in the Connecticut Secretary of the State's online business database at ct.gov/sots before conducting business.

What is Connecticut's annual report requirement for LLCs?

Connecticut LLCs must file an annual report by March 31 each year with an $80 filing fee paid to the Connecticut Secretary of the State. For example, if you form your LLC in October 2026, your first annual report and $80 payment are due by March 31, 2027, just five months after formation. The report updates your registered agent's name and address, your LLC's principal office, and basic member or manager information. Filing online through the Connecticut business portal provides immediate confirmation of submission and is the most reliable method. Exception: LLCs that have formally dissolved before March 31 aren't required to file. Connecticut charges no late fee, but an LLC more than one year behind on its report can be dissolved by forfeiture after a notice from the Secretary of the State. Set a recurring calendar reminder each year for the March 31 deadline and pay at bizfile.ct.gov to keep your LLC in good standing.

Can a single person form an LLC in Connecticut?

Yes, Connecticut permits single-member LLCs, and a sole individual can be the only owner, the manager, and, if they have a Connecticut address, the registered agent of their LLC. Filing a Certificate of Formation with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and paying the $120 fee is all that's required to create the legal entity. Single-member LLCs receive the same liability protection as multi-member LLCs. For example, a solo freelance consultant can form a single-member LLC in Connecticut to separate their personal finances from their business income. Draft a written operating agreement even as the sole member to reinforce the legal separation between yourself and the LLC in any future dispute.

How to Start an LLC in Connecticut: Complete 2026 Guide

Form your Connecticut LLC with our step-by-step guide, written for first-time entrepreneurs.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in Connecticut costs $120 upfront and has an annual report due March 31 ($80). Processing time: Most online filings auto-accepted. See breakdown below.

Connecticut says most filings submitted through Business.CT.gov are automatically accepted, making expedited service unnecessary for online filers

Connecticut says most filings made on Business.CT.gov are automatically accepted, so expedited service is unnecessary. Its filing pages state no turnaround for paper filings. If you still want expedited handling, Connecticut charges $50 per transaction, available only for filings submitted online.

Source: MyStateLLC 50-state primary-source processing verification, July 2026

Read this guide for another state:

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Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr. That enrolls you by default in annual report filing at $100 plus state fees, charged automatically to your saved payment method and cancellable any time.

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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$120
Processing time	Most online filings auto-accepted
Annual report due	March 31
Annual report fee	$80
State income tax	Yes. Members pay state income tax on pass-through profits. Check the current rate with the state tax agency.

Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State (verified September 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in Connecticut, showing the 7 required steps, $120 state filing fee, $80 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in Connecticut, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State, verified September 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your Connecticut LLC Name
Your LLC name must include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' and be distinguishable from existing Connecticut business names. Search available names using the Connecticut Secretary of the State's business entity database to ensure your preferred name isn't already taken.
How to search Connecticut's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your chosen name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Application with a $30 fee if you need time to prepare your other documents.
2
Designate a Connecticut Registered Agent
Connecticut requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Connecticut address to receive legal documents and state correspondence. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a Connecticut address, or hire a professional registered agent service.
Connecticut registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: A professional registered agent service puts its address, not yours, on the registered agent line of the public filing, and accepts legal papers during business hours.
3
File Connecticut Certificate of Organization
Submit your Certificate of Organization to the Connecticut Secretary of the State online through their business portal or by mail.
What You File in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the formation document is the Certificate of Organization, filed with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division. The state filing fee is $120. Connecticut lets you fill in and file the Certificate of Organization online. The state's published processing time: Most online filings auto-accepted. The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered agent's name, the registered office address, the principal office address, a mailing address, the organizer's name, an email address and the registered agent's consent. Every line of the Certificate of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Most filings made on Business.CT.gov are automatically accepted, so expedited service is unnecessary, per the Connecticut Secretary of the State
- Mail: Not published, Connecticut Secretary of the State states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $50 per transaction, online filings only
Pro tip: File online for faster processing and immediate confirmation of submission - you'll receive your Certificate of Organization electronically.
4
Create an LLC Operating Agreement
This page has not confirmed whether Connecticut law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way: it records who owns what share, who makes decisions and how profits are divided. This document is especially essential for multi-member LLCs.
Connecticut LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs benefit from operating agreements as they demonstrate separation between personal and business activities to courts and creditors.
5
Obtain Your Federal EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly through the IRS website at no cost. Most banks ask for an EIN to open business bank accounts, and the IRS requires one if the LLC hires employees, owes certain employment or excise taxes, or is taxed as a partnership or corporation.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Apply for your EIN immediately after receiving your Certificate of Organization - you'll need both documents to open a business bank account.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Keeping business and personal finances separate helps maintain your LLC's liability protection. Bring your Certificate of Organization, EIN confirmation letter, and operating agreement to open your business bank account.
Business bank accounts for Connecticut LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business banking options - many Connecticut banks offer special programs and fee waivers for new small businesses.
7
Obtain Required Business Licenses
Depending on your business type and location, you may need federal, state, or local licenses and permits. Check with Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection and your local municipality for industry-specific requirements.
Does your Connecticut LLC need a business license? →

Watch: How to Start an LLC in Connecticut (2026): Step-by-Step Guide

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It reports what each Secretary of State publishes for forming an LLC, with the sources this page cites. It cannot tell you what your own filing needs: fees and forms change between our reviews, several occupations cannot use an ordinary LLC at all and must use a professional entity, and your city or county may require a registration of its own. Confirm the current fee and form with the filing office named on this page before you send anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Your total first-year cost reaches $200 when you add the $80 annual report fee due by March 31 of the year following formation. For example, if you form your LLC in July 2026, your first $80 annual report is due by March 31, 2027. Budget for this expense early. Additional costs typically include a registered agent service and optional operating agreement preparation. Exception: professional LLCs in fields like law or medicine must obtain a separate professional license before operating. File your Certificate of Formation online at bizfile.ct.gov for the fastest submission and immediate confirmation. Most online filings are automatically accepted; paper filings have no published turnaround.
: Connecticut says most filings made online through Business.CT.gov are automatically accepted, so expedited service is unnecessary for online filers. Connecticut's filing pages state no turnaround for paper filings. Expedited service is "$50 per transaction" and "is only available for filings submitted online. Expedited service is not applicable for filings by mail." The $50 applies per transaction, so a filing and a certified copy are two charges. File online, since Connecticut says most online filings are automatically accepted.
: Yes, Connecticut law requires every LLC to designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical Connecticut street address, P.O. boxes aren't permitted. Who is available during standard business hours to receive legal documents and official state correspondence. This requirement is ongoing: your registered agent must remain in place for the entire life of your LLC. For example, a Hartford business owner can list themselves as registered agent using their office address, satisfying the requirement at no additional cost. Exception: if you work remotely, travel frequently, or don't have a consistent Connecticut business address, you must hire a professional registered agent service. Professional services charge a yearly fee and keep your personal address off the registered agent line of the public Connecticut business registry. Update your registered agent information with the Connecticut Secretary of the State immediately whenever changes occur.
: No, Connecticut doesn't require LLCs to publish a formation notice in any newspaper. Once the Connecticut Secretary of the State approves your Certificate of Formation and issues your Certificate of Organization, your LLC is legally formed and ready to conduct business, no newspaper step required. This saves Connecticut founders the newspaper charges that apply in states like New York, where mandatory publication is charged at rates the newspapers set. Arizona requires a newspaper notice of a new LLC's formation, run three consecutive times within 60 days, unless the LLC's statutory agent has a street address in a county of more than 800,000 people (currently Maricopa and Pima Counties), where the Arizona Corporation Commission posts the notice online for free. Exception: certain Connecticut professional licenses or local municipal permits may have their own public notice requirements separate from LLC formation. Check with your industry's regulatory board and your local town hall. To confirm your LLC is officially active, verify that your Certificate of Organization appears in the Connecticut Secretary of the State's online business database at ct.gov/sots before conducting business.
: Connecticut LLCs must file an annual report by March 31 each year with an $80 filing fee paid to the Connecticut Secretary of the State. For example, if you form your LLC in October 2026, your first annual report and $80 payment are due by March 31, 2027, just five months after formation. The report updates your registered agent's name and address, your LLC's principal office, and basic member or manager information. Filing online through the Connecticut business portal provides immediate confirmation of submission and is the most reliable method. Exception: LLCs that have formally dissolved before March 31 aren't required to file. Connecticut charges no late fee, but an LLC more than one year behind on its report can be dissolved by forfeiture after a notice from the Secretary of the State. Set a recurring calendar reminder each year for the March 31 deadline and pay at bizfile.ct.gov to keep your LLC in good standing.
: Yes, Connecticut permits single-member LLCs, and a sole individual can be the only owner, the manager, and, if they have a Connecticut address, the registered agent of their LLC. Filing a Certificate of Formation with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and paying the $120 fee is all that's required to create the legal entity. Single-member LLCs receive the same liability protection as multi-member LLCs. For example, a solo freelance consultant can form a single-member LLC in Connecticut to separate their personal finances from their business income. Draft a written operating agreement even as the sole member to reinforce the legal separation between yourself and the LLC in any future dispute.

Sources

3 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Connecticut sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so.

business.ct.gov/business-servicesConnecticut Secretary of the State: business entity filings
business.ct.gov/-/media/businessonestop/fee-schedule-revised-712020.pdfConnecticut LLC filing fees
cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_613a.htmConnecticut statute: Annual Report

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$39 with Northwest, plus your $120 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($120 state fee, no service fee)

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Connecticut LLC Name

Designate a Connecticut Registered Agent

File Connecticut Certificate of Organization

What You File in Connecticut

Processing Times

Create an LLC Operating Agreement

Obtain Your Federal EIN

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses