Connecticut Business Entity Search (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’d like to form a new business in the state of Connecticut, you’ll need to conduct a name search on the Secretary of State’s website first. This ensures that another business entity in the state isn’t already using the name.

Irrespective of whether you are registering a corporation, LLC, LLP, or for-profit corporation, you’ll still need to conduct a name search. This ensures that your business registration is not declined due to the legal name being too similar to another existing entity.

The following step-by-step guide will show you how to conduct a business entity search in Connecticut.

Business search by entity name

Refer to the Connecticut Business Records Search page.

Enter the name of the business you are looking up. If you have additional information on the business, you may filter the results based on:

Click “Search.”

If there are matching results, either an exact match or partial match, the following information will come up next to each business entity:

After clicking on the name of the business, you’ll have access to the following additional information:

Business search by the file number

Refer back to the same webpage.

Enter the business’s file number. As before, if you want to narrow down your search by adding additional info in the search, you may do so.

Click “Search.”

As with the previous search type, you may click on the business of your choice and access detailed information about the organization.

Connecticut search results

The information that you’ll have access to after using the above-mentioned search methods includes:

Copies of documents and certificates

Once you’ve completed the name search on the Connecticut SOS website, you will probably want to obtain copies of business documents. Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Amendment, and annual reports are the most requested documents.

It is only the Connecticut Secretary of State – Commercial Recording Division that is allowed to issue these business documents. The copies may be certified or uncertified. Uncertified copies are simply photocopies of the business’s documentation.

Certified copies, on the other hand, are complete with a stamp, endorsement, and certificate stating that they are true copies.

The following documents may be certified by the Connecticut Secretary of State:

To obtain the above-mentioned documentation, you can contact the state’s office using the details below:

The Secretary of State keeps documents on record for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and statutory trusts. Plain copies are $45 per document, while certified copies are $55 per document.

Business name availability

Conducting a name search prior to submitting formation documents or attempting to register your business is necessary. This is because you need to ensure that the name is indeed available before you submit your company’s formation documents. Additionally, a name search is required to ensure that your business name is not only unique but distinguishable from other registered businesses in the same state.

If another entity is using your chosen name in the state and you attempt to pursue registration, you could face the legal ramifications of such actions. Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to do a business name availability, check on the Connecticut Business Records Search page, and check out the status of the businesses that are listed in the search results. If you’re still not sure whether or not you can register that chosen name, reach out to the state’s office and ask for clarification.

If the name you have in mind is available for business registration, but you’re not quite ready to register the name, you may reserve the name with the state. Complete the Name Reservation Application Form and submit it to https://service.ct.gov/business.

Domain name availability

A domain name is a unique part of your business’s brand and also establishes authority. So while it is a requirement to have a suitable business name that is distinguishable and unique, it’s also equally essential to have a catchy and memorable domain name.

One of the best ways to check if your preferred domain name is still available is to conduct a domain name search on a professional website like namechk.com. Namechk.com filters your options and also offers alternatives when it comes to domain names in the event that your selected one is already in use.

Fictitious business name search

Another important aspect to consider when registering a business name is considering a trade name. A trade name is known by many other names such as assumed, fictitious, or DBA name. However, it all means the same thing.

A trade name is used when you do not want to conduct business under your legal entity name but prefer to use another name. In that case, as long as you register the fictitious name, you will be able to legally operate under that name.

The first step is searching city records to ensure that the name isn’t taken. The fictitious name must not be filed with the Secretary of State but must be filed with the city where the principal place of business or office is located. Therefore, you need to file your DBA with the city clerk.

Additionally, when registering a fictitious business name, ensure that it does not include a business entity suffix or restricted words such as university or attorney. It should also not include any words that imply that it is organized for any other purpose other than what the business is formed for.

Words like savings, trust, and banks should not be included in your fictitious business name. To file the Connecticut fictitious name, you’ll need to complete the Trade Name Form and have it mailed to your city clerk.

A filing fee of $10 is applicable.