Trade Name Certificates
Connecticut State Law requires that anyone conducting business under an assumed name, must file a Trade Name Certificate in the Town Clerk's Office in the town where business is transacted. Effective January 1, 2025, Public Act No 24-111 Concerning Business Registrations Filed with the Secretary of the State will be implemented. For more information on this Act - click here.
Corporations and Limited Liability Companies filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office may do business under an assumed name other than the registered name of the business but must file a trade name certificate with the Town Clerk. Such application must provide the Town Clerk with the name of the business, business identification number, and principal office address as reflected on Secretary of State's filing system.
Corporations and Limited Liability Companies doing business under the business name registered with the Office of the Secretary of the State do not need to file a trade name with the Town Clerk.
All people who are authorized to sign on behalf of the business must sign their name on the Trade Name Certificate. A Trade Name Certificate may be obtained by clicking on the Trade Name Certificate link(s) below. Once it is completed, it is then filed in the Town Clerk's Office with a $20.00 recording fee. The notary fee is $5.00. After recording, a certified copy will be sent via email from the Secretary of State Business Services Division. Trade names must be renewed every 5 years. The trade name must be cancelled with the Town Clerk if it will no longer be used before the 5-year expiration.
If you would like more information about starting a business in Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection has a New Business Checklist Tool available on their website.
Corporations, LLCs and partnerships are required to register with the Secretary of State, Business Services Division.
Corporations and Limited Liability Companies filed with the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office may do business under an assumed name other than the registered name of the business but must file a trade name certificate with the Town Clerk. Such application must provide the Town Clerk with the name of the business, business identification number, and principal office address as reflected on Secretary of State's filing system.
Corporations and Limited Liability Companies doing business under the business name registered with the Office of the Secretary of the State do not need to file a trade name with the Town Clerk.
All people who are authorized to sign on behalf of the business must sign their name on the Trade Name Certificate. A Trade Name Certificate may be obtained by clicking on the Trade Name Certificate link(s) below. Once it is completed, it is then filed in the Town Clerk's Office with a $20.00 recording fee. The notary fee is $5.00. After recording, a certified copy will be sent via email from the Secretary of State Business Services Division. Trade names must be renewed every 5 years. The trade name must be cancelled with the Town Clerk if it will no longer be used before the 5-year expiration.
- Trade Name Certificate (Sole Proprietorship, Natural Persons): Application & Instructions
- Trade Name Certificate (LLC, Corporation, Business Organizations): Application & Instructions
- Trade Name Cancellation (all filer types): Application
The Trade Name filing requirement does not apply to:
- Partnerships, if the partnership name contains the true last name of at least one of the persons comprising said partnership
- Limited partnerships that have registered with the Secretary of State
- Limited liability companies that have registered with the Secretary of State
If you would like more information about starting a business in Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection has a New Business Checklist Tool available on their website.
Corporations, LLCs and partnerships are required to register with the Secretary of State, Business Services Division.