Connecticut LLC Name Search

How to search for LLC names in Connecticut

Searching for an available LLC name in Connecticut is a required first step before submitting your Certificate of Organization to the Connecticut Secretary of the State. The state's online Business Registry Search tool lets you look up existing entity names, trade names, and reserved names to see whether your proposed name conflicts with one already on file. Finding no exact match does not guarantee your name will be approved — Connecticut requires that new names be "distinguishable upon the record" from all existing registered entities, which means similar or confusingly close names can still be rejected. Running a thorough search early saves you the filing fee and the delay of having your application returned. The database is updated in real time and covers active, inactive, and reserved business names registered with the Secretary of the State.

Step-by-step: using the Connecticut Secretary of the State name search

1. 1. Go to https://business.ct.gov/search/ to open the Connecticut Business Registry Search portal maintained by the Secretary of the State.
2. 2. In the search bar, type your proposed LLC name — start with the distinctive word or phrase and omit designators like 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' to cast the widest net.
3. 3. Review all results, paying close attention to names that are spelled differently but sound alike, use common abbreviations, or swap words (e.g., 'Hartford Tech' vs. 'Tech Hartford') — Connecticut's distinguishability standard covers these variations.
4. 4. Click on any close match to view the entity's status (active, dissolved, withdrawn) and type; dissolved entities can still block your name if the Secretary of the State considers the names indistinguishable.
5. 5. Repeat the search using alternate spellings, shortened versions, and synonyms of your proposed name, then document your results before proceeding to file your Certificate of Organization.

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Connecticut LLC naming rules

• Must include a required designator: 'Limited Liability Company', 'LLC', or 'L.L.C.' — abbreviations 'Ltd.' and 'Co.' alone are not sufficient under Connecticut General Statutes § 34-243c.
• Must be distinguishable upon the record from every other business name registered or reserved with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, including corporations, partnerships, and other LLCs.
• Cannot contain language that implies the LLC is organized for a purpose other than those permitted in its Certificate of Organization (e.g., you cannot name a general goods company 'Connecticut Firearms Manufacturer' without proper licensing).
• Cannot include words that suggest government affiliation, such as 'State', 'Federal', 'United States', 'Connecticut' (as a standalone implying an official body), or similar terms that could mislead the public.
• Words suggesting a regulated profession — such as 'Bank', 'Banking', 'Insurance', 'Trust', 'Cooperative', 'Attorney', 'Lawyer', or 'Engineer' — require written approval from the applicable Connecticut regulatory agency before the Secretary of the State will accept the filing.
• Cannot use obscene, profane, or language that is deceptive or misleading as to the nature or purpose of the business.
• The name may not imply that the LLC is a nonprofit, charitable, or religious organization unless it is actually organized under the corresponding Connecticut statutes.
• If the name includes 'University', 'College', 'School', or similar educational terms, prior consent from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education may be required.

Restricted words in Connecticut LLC names

The following words require special approval from a state agency before you can use them in your Connecticut LLC name:

• Bank / Banking / Banker — requires approval from the Connecticut Department of Banking
• Insurance / Insurer / Reinsurance — requires approval from the Connecticut Insurance Department
• Trust / Trustee — requires approval from the Connecticut Department of Banking
• University / College / Institute of Higher Education — may require approval from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education
• Attorney / Lawyer / Law — may require approval from the Connecticut Judicial Branch or bar authority
• Engineer / Engineering / Surveyor — may require approval from the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers
• Cooperative / Co-op — implies a specific legal structure; requires authorization consistent with cooperative statutes
• Lottery / Casino / Gaming — requires compliance with Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection gaming licensing requirements

How to reserve an LLC name in Connecticut

Connecticut allows you to reserve an LLC name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation application (Form RES-1) with the Secretary of the State. The filing fee is $60. The reservation can be filed online through the Connecticut business portal or by mail. A reservation is not renewable — if you need more time, you must file a new reservation after the 120-day period expires and pay the fee again. Reservations do not guarantee approval of the final filing if other issues arise.

Tips for choosing an LLC name that passes in Connecticut

• Search for both the exact spelling and phonetic equivalents of your proposed name — Connecticut's distinguishability standard captures names that sound alike even if spelled differently.
• After clearing the state registry, run a search on the USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at tess.uspto.gov to confirm your name is not already a federally registered trademark.
• Check domain name availability at the same time you clear the business name — securing a matching .com domain strengthens your brand and is important if you plan to operate online.
• Avoid names that are purely geographic descriptors combined with a generic term (e.g., 'Connecticut Services LLC') — these are difficult to distinguish and may conflict with dozens of similarly structured names already on file.
• Think about future expansion: a name tightly tied to one city, product, or niche can limit your flexibility if the business grows or pivots, so consider a broader but still distinctive name.
• If a desired name is taken by an inactive or dissolved entity, contact the Secretary of the State's office directly — in some cases a letter of consent or a showing of distinctiveness can allow approval despite the similarity.