Verify Your Business Name With a Connecticut Business Name Search

Creating a business name for your Connecticut (CT) company is challenging. The name should accurately reflect your business yet be catchy. It should be unique yet easy to remember. But above all, it can’t be used by another Connecticut business.

How can you ensure that your desired name is available for use? Leave this task to the professionals who will promptly ensure you get the information you’re looking for with Swyft Filings’ Business Name Search tool.

This tool is tailor-made for overwhelmed business owners and owners-to-be: it’s easy to use, accurate, and free.

All you need to do is:

1. Fill out a short form. Enter your desired business name and Connecticut in their respective fields. Don’t forget about your name and your email address.

2. Wait for the results. Give us one hour max to perform a detailed CT business lookup, and you’ll know if your desired business name is free to use.

3. Take action. If your desired name is free, great. Take steps to reserve it ASAP. If not, don’t worry. Send us alternative options, and we’ll find an available name in no time.

When developing a business name, the best practice is to avoid getting too attached to a name. After all, there are quite a few boxes to check before a name can officially become your own. We suggest brainstorming several names while considering the Connecticut business naming requirements.

If you aren’t familiar with these requirements, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn what is allowed when naming your Connecticut business. We’ll also guide you through what happens next, from name reservation to incorporation.

Key Takeaways

• Finding a unique and available company name is easy with Swyft Filings’ free Business Name Search tool.

• Name availability isn’t enough. Your chosen business name must also follow several business name conventions.

• Using a Connecticut Business Entity Search has numerous benefits, including saving time and money and avoiding legal trouble.

• After ensuring a business name is available, you can reserve it for 120 days or file for an LLC immediately.

Connecticut’s Business Name Conventions

While there are numerous reasons why your Connecticut LLC (limited liability company) filing can get rejected, business name issues are among the most frequent ones. Your new business can’t have the exact name as an existing business entity. 

Your LLC name must also comply with the naming conventions outlined in the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.[1] Most of these conventions apply to all business entities in Connecticut. So, remember them whether you’re starting a Connecticut corporation, LLC, or partnership.

• Your entity name’s ending must contain a designator that reflects your business type. If you’re starting an LLC, your business name must include the words “limited liability company” or abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.” (No misleading words like corporation, incorporated, or inc. are allowed.)

• The designator alone isn’t enough to distinguish a business name. (If there’s Schmidt LLC, a Schmidt Corp. is a no-go.)

• Your business name must be distinguishable from reserved names with the Connecticut Secretary of State. (Names are reserved for 120 days, so you can try your luck after that timeframe.)

• The business name mustn’t be misleading in any way. Including language implying that the LLC is organized for any other purpose than the one stated in its Operating Agreement will get your LLC filling thrown out. (Simply put, if you aren’t starting a bank, you can’t call your business a bank.)

Benefits of a Connecticut Business Entity Search

Checking the business name availability is arguably the most common reason for using a Connecticut business entity search, but it’s far from the only one. Performing an advanced search offers numerous benefits to business owners, including the following:

• Avoiding trademark trouble. Registering and trademarking a name go hand in hand. Performing a more extensive business and trademark search can minimize your chances of dealing with accusations (and costs) of trademark infringement. The hassle of changing your business name after spending time and money on your old one is a massive hurdle for an entrepreneur.

• Scoping out the competition. An advanced entity search can give you all the details on your competition. From standard information like their registered agent or physical address to valuable insights into their assets, few details can escape a thorough search. You can use this information to pinpoint your most prominent competitors (and even potential partners).

• Saving valuable time. Having all the necessary information from the get-go will help you speed up any other business-related processes, such as obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing or a business license. There’s no time to waste when there’s a business to run.

Next Steps

So you’ve performed a successful LLC or corporation search and discovered your desired business name is available. What’s next? Read on for the following steps to set up your business for success.

Complete Your Name Reservation

If your desired business name is available and you’re ready to start your business, there’s not much left to do. Visit the ct.gov website and begin the process of registering your LLC.

If this isn’t the case, you’ll want to make a name reservation before someone else comes up with the same business name.

Reserving a business name in the state of Connecticut is pretty straightforward.[1]

1. Fill out the Application for Reservation of Name form following the instructions at the bottom.

2. Pay a $60 filing fee and attach a check to the form.

3. Send the form to the mailing address indicated at the bottom.

Name reservation grants you exclusive rights to use the name for 120 days. You can use this time to tie up loose ends and officially file for incorporation. You can transfer the reservation to another person if you change your mind. All it takes is a signed notice of transfer containing the new owner’s name and address. 

Choose a Domain Name

Given that the business world has shifted online almost entirely, a domain name matching your business name is a must-have, not a nice-to-have.

You can do so before starting the name reservation process to ensure your pick is rock-solid or, afterward, select the best-suited name among the available ones. We recommend taking your time when registering a domain name since it can be beyond valuable for your marketing efforts.

Of course, your domain name doesn’t have to be precisely the same as your business name, but displaying uniformity across all your digital channels helps you build a solid online presence and establish a memorable brand identity.

Other benefits of securing a matching domain name include the following:

• Adding credibility to your business. Choosing a random domain name unrelated to your business name will send the message that your business might not be credible. In a sea of get-rich-quick-scheme websites, this is the last thing you want for your Connecticut business.

• Increasing traffic to your website. With a matching domain name, anyone who hears about your business can quickly look it up online. The more customers show interest in your website, the more organic traffic it will get from Google (thus drawing in new customers).

• Establishing your business as tech-savvy. It doesn’t matter whether you conduct all your business online; an online presence is a must. Once customers (especially younger ones) see that your name is plastered across all your digital channels, they’ll know your business is forward-thinking.

Consider a DBA

If your desired business name isn’t available, there’s another way to go — DBA. A DBA, or “doing business as,” is a fictitious business name under which a business entity can operate. In Connecticut, a DBA is commonly referred to as a trade name, and businesses opt for it for numerous reasons, including these:

• A DBA is enough for those who want to form a sole proprietorship.

• An LLC can use a DBA when branching out. Thanks to a DBA, the LLC doesn’t have to form a separate company whenever it launches a new business. (For instance, a bookshop called The Bookworm can file for a DBA for The Bookworm’s Brew for a café where you can read and sip coffee.)

• A DBA protects the business owner’s privacy.

• Branding can be easier and more creative since a DBA doesn’t have to match your legal business name.

Filing for a DBA in Connecticut is relatively simple.[2]

1. Fill out the Trade Name Certificate form.

2. Notarize the form.

3. Pay a $10 filing fee.

4. File the form with your local clerk’s office.

Alternatively, let Swyft Filings handle your DBA in under 10 minutes.

File Your LLC Online

In Connecticut, your business name will be officially registered only after your LLC is approved.[1]

Filing for a Connecticut LLC is the final step before becoming a business owner. You can read about the Articles of Organization on the Secretary of the State’s website, inquire about the filing fees, and mail the forms to Connecticut’s Commercial Recording Division.

Or, you trust Swyft Filings to file your LLC online for you.

Going beyond the early stages of your company, Swyft Filings takes care of numerous business aspects for you, whether you own a small business or a corporation. Our top-rated business services include everything from yearly compliance documents (annual report, initial report) to serving as your registered agent.

FAQs

How do I find out if a business name is available in Connecticut?

 To find out if a business name is available in Connecticut, you must perform a business entity search. You can visit the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website or Swyft Filings’ free Business Name Search tool.

How can I find out who owns a business in Connecticut?

To find out who owns a business in Connecticut, perform a Connecticut business search on the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website or Swyft Filings’ free Business Name Search tool. Enter the business’s name, and you’ll see the owner on its search page under Principal Name.

What is the Connecticut Secretary of State Business Entity Search?

The Connecticut Secretary of State Business Entity Search is a service that displays basic information about a business entity by searching its business ID, name, or filing number.

How do I find out if a business is legitimate in Connecticut?

To determine if a business is legitimate in Connecticut, search for it in the Connecticut Secretary of State Business Entity Search and check its license status.

How much does a Connecticut business entity search cost?

If you use the Swyft Filings’ Business Name Search tool, a Connecticut business entity search is free.

How do I register a business in Connecticut?

To register a business in Connecticut, you must file the Articles of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of State. The fastest way to do this is to hire a company like Swyft Filings to do it for you.

Bibliography

1. Connecticut General Assembly. “Uniform Limited Liability Company Act: Chapter 613a.” Accessed May 22, 2023.

2. Business.CT.gov. “Trade Name Certificate.” Accessed May 22, 2023.