Advanced Manufacturing in Connecticut

The State of Connecticut requires all businesses to hold some form of business registration which is dependent on the business structure and if the company has employees. In addition, some professions or trades require licensing. Use our license database look-up to determine if a license is required and the administering agency.

Business Formation Verification

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships require a tradename certificate with the Town Clerk in the town in which the business is based. Currently there is no centralized look-up and requires you to contact the town directly.
Corporations, LLCs, LLPs and LPs file with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Search Connecticut Business Registration Data.

Professional or Trade License Verification

The Connecticut eLicense web portal provides real-time access to over 600 credential types issued and regulated by the following State agencies. These credential types include licenses, registrations, permits, or certifications for individuals, organizations and facilities.
- To view a list of the licenses administered by the agencies click on the agency link provided below.
  * Consumer Protection
  * Public Health
  * Agriculture
  * Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
  * Office of Early Childhood & Youth Camp
  * Developmental Services
  * State Fire Marshal
  * Revenue Services
Additional agencies offer their own verification systems. Use the links below:
* Insurance
* Banking

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

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Verify that the name has not been protected on the federal level through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Contact the office at 800-786-9199 Agency website: www.uspto.gov.

Additionally, assistance is available through official patent and trademark depository libraries. Although Connecticut no longer has a library, New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have one or more libraries. For a complete listing of depository libraries and links to their web sites visit www.uspto.gov.

Additional Resources:

Ask the librarian of a local library for business databases such as Dun & Bradstreet
Check in the town clerk's office for business registrations

Each licensing agency in Connecticut is prepared to receive and process complaints from consumers concerning licensed personnel/businesses.

Here are a few common agencies:

Department of Consumer Protection
File a Complaint
- Home improvement contracts
- Prescription errors
- Underage liquor sales
- Defective new cars (lemon law)
- Charities
- Sweepstakes
- Tainted food
- Many others
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Complaint details
- Auto Dealer and Repairers
Connecticut Department of Banking
Complaint details
- Sales Finance/Vehicle Loan
- Vehicle or Boat Reposession
- Small Loan Company
- Securities
- Check Casher
- Student Loan Servicer
- Credit Report
- Credit Card/Prepaid Card
- Rental Security Deposit
- Debt Adjuster
- Judicial Foreclosure
- Money Transmitter
- Mortgage
- Debt Negotiator
- Identity Theft
Connecticut Department of Insurance
Complaint details
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Complaint details
Connecticut Department of Labor
Complaint details

The following details provide guidance for an existing business wishing to make changes to their existing business filings. If changing the business structure, it is recommended that legal counsel be sought.

If you are forming a subsidiary, please review the separate item addressing that topic.

Secretary of the State
(860) 509-6002 or crd@ct.gov
Agency website: https://portal.ct.gov/sots
- Forms to complete the following tasks are available on the agency website at the following link: form or online
  - Change of business address
  - Change of agent and agent address
  - Add or remove manager, member, partner, officer - Interim Notice of Change
  - Change of name or any other particular of your filings - Amendments (this can not be filed online)
    - LLC - domestic (formed in CT) or foreign (formed outside of Connecticut)
    - Corporation- domestic or foreign stock or nonstock
    - LLP - domestic or foreign
  - Changing the structure requires the business to dissolve the existing business and then create a new structure.
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
800-382-9463(instate only), (860) 297-5962 or drs@po.state.ct.us
Agency website: https://portal.ct.gov/drs
- Change of address
- Change of business name or DBA
- Change business structure
- Updating members, officers, partners
- Add new business location
- Add new tax type to existing registration - refile form REG-1 or complete online application
Connecticut Department of Labor
860-263-6550
Agency website: www.ctdol.state.ct.us
- Compose a letter stating the reason for the change and include previous registration information. Fax to 860-263-6567 or mail to Attention: Employer Status, Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109.
  
  If changing business structure and/or Federal Employer Identification Number with the IRS, re-file form UC-1A. Compose a letter stating the change and reason.
Internal Revenue Services (IRS)800-829-4933
Agency website: www.irs.gov
- Change business name
- Change business address (see below)
- Change business structure
  
  Compose a letter stating the change including the current Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and apply for a new EIN. If changing the business structure, the business must dissolve. Mail the letter to Internal Revenue Service, EIN Operation, Holtsville NY 00501 or fax to 631-447-8960.
Additional Agencies
Each agency handles changes differently. For more information contact the individual agencies directly.

The following information is a guideline for dissolving (closing) an existing business.

Secretary of the State
860-509-6002 or crd@ct.gov

Dissolving a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or limited partnership requires the business to file Articles of Dissolution.

This step can should be completed online.
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
1-800-382-9463 (Connecticut only), 860-297-5962 or drs@po.state.ct.us

The agency provides details on how to notify them about closing a business.
Connecticut Department of Labor
860-263-6550

Compose a letter stating the reason for change, include registration information. Fax to 860-263-6567 or mail to Attention: Employer Status, Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109.
Internal Revenue Services (IRS)
800-829-4933

Instructions are availabe online or contact the agency directly for further instructions. Online select Business and then Closing a business.
Additional Agencies
Each agency handles changes differently. For more information contact the individual agencies directly.