Business Entity Formation/Management

It is important that new business owners put thought into choosing a business name.  Most importantly, the name a business owner chooses should be unique; no other business should have the same name.  If a name is already in use and is legally protected, for example through a trade mark or service mark, the new business owner is not legally able to use the name.  Be sure to verify name availability.

Suggested Resources:

The Connecticut Secretary of the State (SOTS), in collaboration with the CT Data Collaborative, offers a Connecticut Business Registration Database that houses details on all business entities that file with SOTS (corporations, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies).  All entities that register with the Secretary of the State must have a unique name in that more than one business can not share or have a similar name.

NOTE:  Sole proprietors and general partnerships register with the town clerk in the town in which the business is based and are excluded from registering with the Secretary of the State. 

The Secretary of the State also registers and administers state level trade and service marks. For a fee, the agency accepts search requests.  Online searching is available. The agency offers additional information and forms in the following link.

Contact the agency:

(860) 509-6002 - business filing questions

(860) 509-6006 - trademark questions or crd@ct.gov 

Agency website:  https://portal.ct.gov/sots