File a DBA in Connecticut

How to file a DBA in Connecticut step-by-step

All businesses, whether registered with the Secretary of State (SoS) or not, file a trade name with the town clerk’s office where they operate. You can have LegalZoom file for you or complete the application yourself. Here’s what you need to do if you apply on your own. 

Step 1: Make sure the name is available

Before you file your application, make sure the name is available and meets Connecticut requirements. 

• Names can’t suggest that the business is located in a Connecticut municipality different to its actual location. 
• Words like “bank,” “banking,” and “savings,” require approval from the relevant association. 
• Trade names must be distinguishable (clearly different) from other business names on file with the Secretary of State. 

The easiest way to check if a business name is available is to conduct a Connecticut entity search through the Connecticut state website. 

Step 2: Fill out the application form

The Connecticut Secretary of State provides a standardized trade name application form that differs slightly based on your business structure. 

• Two or fewer individual(s) use the trade name application for natural person(s) form.
• Three or more individuals use the natural person(s) form plus an addendum, which is an additional document that allows you to list the rest of your group’s information. 
• Business entities use the trade name application for business organizations.

You can access these forms through the SoS website. Each one asks for basic information, such as your and your business’ name and address, the trade name you aim to use, and your business purpose. Make sure to check the box that says, “original” if this is your first time filing a DBA in Connecticut. 

Step 3: Notarize and submit your application

Once you complete the application form, have it notarized and submit it at the town clerk where your primary office is located. If you work from home, this is your local town clerk. Foreign businesses that don’t have a primary office in Connecticut can file in their registered agent’s town.

The notarization requirement is apparently the main reason why you can’t submit this form online through the SoS. However, it helps that the town clerk where you file can generally notarize the document for you, saving you an extra step. The filling fee is $20, but you may also need to pay an additional small fee for notarization.  

Step 4: Obtain your certificate and keep records

Most town clerks will mark the application in some way to show that it was accepted. Some municipalities, such as Stanford and Milford, also offer certified copies for an additional small fee. This document serves as proof of your DBA registration and should be kept with your important business records. You'll need it to do the following:

• Open business bank accounts
• Enter into contracts under your trade name
• Prove legal authority to operate under your assumed name

How long does a DBA last in Connecticut? Renewal, changes, and cancellations

Connecticut DBAs expire every five years. 

To renew or amend your trade name, simply follow the same process as the original application, but check the box that says, “amendment.” Fill in the current information and submit the application to the same town clerk where you filed the first DBA. 

To cancel your trade name, file a cancellation form with the same town clerk where you filed your original application. This process is for businesses that plan to stop using their trade name before the end of the five-year expiration date. 

How LegalZoom can help with your Connecticut DBA

LegalZoom can help you register your Connecticut DBA online. Here’s what our service includes:

• Name availability search through Connecticut’s databases to verify that the name you choose is unique and meets state requirements
• Form preparation and filing with the relevant town clerk
• Customizable website to help you market your new brand 
• Access to ongoing support for renewals, amendments, and cancellations

LegalZoom also offers adjacent services, such as LLC or corporation formation, registered agent services, and trademark registration. Our expertise in business formation ensures your DBA gets filed efficiently and meets state requirements. If your filing is rejected due to our error, we'll correct it at no additional cost.

Sam Eichner contributed to this article.