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What does "doing business as" mean?
Trade Names, Sole Proprietorship, or "Doing Business As"
A trade name is a fictitious name under which business is transacted, sometimes referred to as “doing business as” or “d/b/a.” A trade name can be registered by: (1) one individual; (2) a group of individuals; or (3) a business organization registered with the Secretary of the State.
A trade name is not a business organization and provides no liability protection itself. It does not protect that business name from use by someone else. A trade name merely provides public notice that an individual or individuals are conducting business under an assumed name or that a business organization is conducting business under a name that is different than the name under which it is registered with the Secretary of the State.
Where to file
A trade name is filed with the local town clerk where the business is primarily transacted. For individuals, this is the address you provide on the trade name application.
Domestic businesses (formed with the CT Secretary of the State), file in the town of your “business address” on file with the Secretary. That is also the address you should list on the trade name application.
Foreign businesses (formed elsewhere but registered with the CT Secretary of the State), use the business’s principal location in CT or, if none, the town of your resident agent.
Fees to file
When you deliver the trade name application to the town clerk, you must pay a $20 filing fee payable to the town clerk.
Trade name forms
The forms below should be used for a trade name filed on or after January 1, 2025. The forms must be hand signed by the applicant(s) and notarized by the town clerk or another notary.
Trade Name Applications (Natural Persons)
Use this form for applications filed by one or more individuals (natural persons). The term “natural persons” is used here to highlight that these are filed by individuals, not business entities (artificial persons).
- Trade Name Application (Natural Persons) (PDF)
- Trade Name Application (Natural Persons - Addendum) (PDF)
Trade Name Applications (Business Organizations)
Use this form if you are filing a trade name for a business organization registered with the Secretary of the State. Please verify your business name, business ID/ALEI (authoritative legal entity identifier) and active status using our Business Search tool. The name, business ID, and address should match exactly what you see on business.ct.gov. The status of the business organization must be active. If the business organization has another status, contact the Secretary of the State Business Services Division to resolve the business status at bsd@ct.gov.
Trade Name Cancellation (All Filer Types)
Use this form to cancel a trade name that was previously filed.