NEW PROCESS OVERVIEW 

Summary of Public Act 24-111

PA 24-111 establishes a new process for trade names effective January 1, 2025. The Act clarifies who can file a trade name and breaks the filers into 3 groups:

1. One natural person (e.g., a sole proprietorship);
2. Two or more natural persons (e.g., an unincorporated association); and
3. A business organization (e.g., a corporation, non-profit corporation, LLC, LLP, LP or statutory trust already on file with the Secretary of the State). 

 Trade names now expire 5 years from when they are filed, unless renewed. Trade names on file prior to January 1, 2025 will expire December 31, 2029.

TRADE NAME FORMS & FEES

• Trade Name Application (Individuals):  $20.00 filing fee (cash or check; no cards). For applications filed by one or more individuals, not business entities. An Addendum is also available if 3 or more individuals are applying for the trade name.

•  Trade Name Application (Business Organizations): $20.00 filing fee (cash or check; no cards). For business organizations registered with the Secretary of the State.  The status of the business organization must be active.

•  Trade Name Cancellation (All Filer Types): $20.00 filing fee (cash or check; no cards)

Please note that a trade name certificate needs to be notarized, which can be done in the Town Clerk's office for an additional $5 fee (cash or check only). You may also have the form notarized outside of our office if you prefer. 

MORE INFORMATION

• Visit the Secretary of the State Site on Trade Names  
• For additional state licensing and registration information, The Business Start Up Tool from the Connecticut Secretary of State's office can help you get your business off on the right foot.  
• In order to see if a business in Town has filed a Trade Name Certificate, please contact our office at 860-828-7036. The process of establishing a statewide Connecticut Trade Name Registry, searchable by the general public online, is in the works and planned to launch sometime in 2026.   

Frequently Asked Questions

I do business in multiple towns under the trade name, do I have to file in each one?

No. The new law says the trade name should be filed in the town where the business is principally transacted. This new one town rule is consistent with the goal of a statewide registry -- where a trade name can be found regardless of what town it is filed in -- making multi-town filing unnecessary. 

 Is a trade name unique?

No. Unlike business organizations, a trade name is not unique. There can be multiple businesses operating under the same trade name.

I already have an LLC/Non-Profit Corporation/For-Profit Corporation registered with the Secretary of the State. Do I need a trade name?  

No. A trade name is only needed if the business organization is transacting business under a name that is different than what is on file with the Secretary. If the business is conducting business under the name on file with the Secretary, a trade name is unnecessary.  

I belong to a group of people (not a business organization) who want to get an Employer ID Number from the IRS and open a bank account in the group’s name, do I need a trade name?

The practical answer is yes. State law does not require a group like this to create a trade name, but IRS rules regarding what groups are permitted to apply for an EIN and bank rules requiring EINs upon account creation mean that these groups need to file a trade name, unless they go through the formal process of forming as a non-stock corporation with the Secretary of the State.  

I filed my trade name prior to this new law, is it still valid?

Yes, trade names filed prior to 1/1/2025 remain valid until 12/31/2029.