Do you have the perfect name idea for a new business entity in the state of Connecticut, but you’re not quite ready to form your company?
Connecticut allows you to reserve a business name until you’re prepared for the business formation process, but how does the reservation process work and how long will the state reserve the name for you? In this guide, we’ll run down all the important details of reserving a business name in Connecticut.
How to Reserve a Business Name in Connecticut
The first step is to determine if your desired business name is even available in Connecticut to begin with. You can easily check the availability of your desired name by searching for business names on the Secretary of State’s website. Once you’ve determined the availability of your desired name, you can begin the process of reserving it with the state.
Unlike many Connecticut business filings, you cannot submit a name reservation request online ― this request must be made in writing. No matter what kind of business you want to form (LLC, corporation, etc.), you will need to file the Application for Reservation of Name with the Secretary of State’s office. This form requires the following information: Commercial Recording Division Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Once you’re finished filling out this form, you should write a check for $60 made payable to the “Secretary of the State.” You can mail the form and the check to the following address:
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How Long Is My Business Name Reserved For?
Once you submit your Application for Reservation of Name, the state of Connecticut will reserve your business name for a period of 120 days. The reservation expires after this period, so you will need to form your business during this time, otherwise the name could be used by someone else.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t ready to form your Connecticut business entity doesn’t mean you can’t lock down your desired business name.
If the name you want is available today, there’s no reason to wait until you form your business to reserve it for your exclusive use. The required form does not require much information and the filing process is fast. However, the processing fee is relatively high compared to most other states, so if you are ready to form your business, you may consider skipping the name reservation process entirely.