Connecticut LLC Name Search [2023]

Why is Doing a Connecticut LLC Name Search Important?

Decided to form a limited liability company in Connecticut? The first thing to do for a Connecticut business is to come up with a business name! However, you can’t just pick any name, there are a few requirements that you need to meet when choosing your Connecticut business name.

The LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other LLC names or business names registered in Connecticut. Our article today will talk about important Connecticut business name guidelines that all businesses in the state must follow as well as how you can perform a Connecticut business name search to check if the business name you want is available.

Connecticut Business Name Guidelines

While the Connecticut state offers certain flexibility over business owner’s choice of business names, there are still a few requirements that you’ll need to comply with. One such requirement is that the business name must be distinguishable from other businesses registered in the state. The business name ideas must also comply with Connecticut naming requirements below: .

• Company name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.)
• Company name cannot include words that would confuse the Georgia LLC with a government agency such as the FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.
• Restricted words like Bank, Attorney, and University may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your limited liability company.

Connecticut Business Name Search

To check availability of Connecticut business names, you can perform a Connecticut business name search via Connecticut’s Business Records Search. To perform an effective business name search, you just need to type your desired LLC name without the identifiers like LLC, limited liability, or corporation as the site will extract the names of all entities registered.

It is recommended to perform a Connecticut business name search before registering your LLC or you might run the risk of having your Connecticut LLC application rejected.

The Connecticut business entity search can be performed via the following criteria:

• Search by Name
• Business ID
• Filing Number

Connecticut Entity Name

Searching for LLCs with their trade name is the most commonly used search method for obvious reasons, especially if your intention is to check name availability. All you need to do is to enter the desired trade name into the search bar and click on Search for the database to begin generating entity names related to what you’ve typed.

When performing a search for Connecticut business names, you don’t need to include phrases like LLC, Corp, or other naming designations as the site will generate results for every type of entity as long as it is registered with the state.

Search by Business ID

Another method to search for businesses via the Business Database is by searching the company registration ID. You can perform the Connecticut business search the same method as searching by name, but instead of typing in the name, just key in the registration ID and click on “Search” for the page to begin generating results.

Search by Filing Number

Just like how each Connecticut business entity has a unique business ID, they also have an associated filing number that you can run the Connecticut business search with. To search by filing number, simply key in the filing number and tap on Search.

Connecticut Corporation Search Name Status

With so many businesses opening up in Connecticut, it is completely understandable if you find it tricky to come up with a unique business name that’s not already taken by another. One way to come up with an idea for your business name is actually through the state’s business entity database. You can do a business entity search to check if there are any expired names available that you can use.

For example, if you’re planning to open a fresh mart, you just need to type in “Fresh Mart” into the search bar and the site will give you a list of business names with the word “Fresh Mart” in them. From there you can check for names that are still active or expired.

There’s a high chance you might actually find a name you like that’s available. Nonetheless, we recommend giving the connecticut secretary of state a call to confirm the name’s availability before submitting the application. They can be reached at (860) 509-6200

Trademark Search

Although you might find that your desired business name is available in the Connecticut database, it might not necessarily be available for use as it could have a registered trademark associated. This is why it is important for business owners to also do a trademark search through the Trademark Electronic Search System before deciding on a company name. This simple step will prevent costly litigation and future headaches.

When running a trademark search, you should perform it on your desired business name, associated slogan, and logos through both Connecticut Trademark Search and the US Patent Trademark Office’s electronic records to confirm that you’re not going to use something that’s federally registered.

One thing to note is that just because your desired company name is trademarked doesn’t mean you definitely cannot use it. You may still be able to use the name but you need to know who is using the name, the industry they’re in, as well as where they’re located to avoid inadvertently infringing on their intellectual property rights.

Reserve Business Entity Name

Searched through the Connecticut business entity database and decided on a name? Then it’s time to reserve that name to prevent another from taking it up. You can reserve the name for 120 days with the Connecticut Secretary of State Business Services Division that handles all LLC naming questions and requests.

The name reservation application must be filed online, by mail, or in person. You’ll need to pay a filing fee of $60 for name reservation and checks must be made out to the “Secretary of State.”

Fee: $60

Mailing Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470

Office Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106

Other Considerations and What To Do Next?

After reserving your desired Connecticut LLC name, you can now start to look into other considerations before officially filing your Connecticut LLC such as running a social media name check and domain name availability to ensure that you have full, unrestricted use of your desired business name on different online platforms.

Check Domain Name Availability

Businesses today are acknowledging the importance of having a business online presence regardless of business type and size. This is because many customers actually check Yelp or Google Review online to see what others say about you before going to your store.

However, this would also mean that more and more .com website domains are being taken up. Here is where your creativity and innovation in coming up with a unique domain name that’s available and easily searchable by customers would come in handy.

You can use tools like Namechkr and GoDaddy sites to help you check your desired name availability. A good thing about using these tools is that they will come up with useful alternatives just in case your desired domain name is already taken up.

Another thing to know is that while the .com domain extension is the most popular, it’s not the only one available. There are several other domain extensions that you can consider using for your website such as .co, .net, and .io. Since more and more .com domain names are taken, these extensions can be quite useful and adopted for your business name should it be unavailable with the .com extension.

Check Social Media Name Availability

After checking the website domain availability, you can do a check on social media handles. Websites are not all you need to maintain a strong online presence, you also need to have a business social media page where customers can connect and leave reviews.

Here are a few important tips for your business social media page:

• You need to maintain an active social media presence regardless of how big or small your business is. As mentioned earlier, social media is a powerful tool that you can use to connect with customers directly, especially for smaller companies. A good sicla media page can boost organic presence online without spending too much money, attract potential customers, and even create awareness among the community on the existence of your business.
• Run a social media handle availability check across multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest even if you don’t intend on using those yet. If you use the same social media handle as another business on another platform, it might cause some unnecessary confusion for your customers.
• To check for social media name availability, you can either run a simple search on each major site to see if they’re still available or use a tool like Namechkr that will perform the search across all platforms at once to save you time.
• You should register an account with your desired name if you do end up finding out that it’s available even if you don’t plan on starting the page yet. Registering an account with the name will ensure that someone else will not take it up before you decide to open up a social media page with that name.

Register Your Connecticut Business Entity

Once you’ve confirmed that your desired business name is available in Connecticut with no associated trademark registered and a suitable social media / domain name, you can proceed to register your business entity with the state.

Of course it is completely possible for you to file your LLC online on your own, you might have to deal with a bunch of paperwork that could easily get you confused or flustered, especially if it is your first time.

This is where companies like ZenBusiness, Incfile, and Northwest Registered Agent step in to help you out and why many business owners decide to hire them for the task. They’ll get the job done while you focus on more important things.

Register Company Tax ID/EIN with the IRS

Every US business will be provided with a unique six-digit tax ID that must be registered with the IRS for tax purposes. You can treat the company EIN like a social security number for your company. Fortunately, the EIN registration process is very straightforward and can be completed online quickly.

Create a Company Logo

A business doesn’t just need a unique business name, it also needs a company logo that accurately reflects the business’ mission and values. A well thought out logo can help businesses deliver the impression they want to their customers.

This is why a memorable logo is just as important as a company’s name – in fact, some may even think a logo is even more important than the name. However, it is also understandable if you can’t think of a suitable logo. This is where Fiverr site becomes useful as it can connect you with freelancers to help you design a logo within 24 hours.

Open a Business Bank Account

Another important thing to do after starting a business is to open a business bank account. While some businesses may have customers transfer or pay to the owner’s personal account, this practice is not encouraged.

It’s always best to separate personal and business finances. Doing this will not only eliminate any future confusion, it could also help you build business credibility which can be useful when applying for business loans in the future.

Bottom Line

The first step to starting a business is to come up with a suitable business name that reflects your company’s values and services. In addition to ensuring your desired business name is distinguishable from others, you also need to check that the name you want fits Connecticut’s naming requirements.

After reserving the name, you can proceed to check for social media and domain name availability. Once everything is set, you’ll be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.