Establishing an LLC in Connecticut may be an excellent business strategy to protect your assets while taking advantage of the state’s friendly tax systems.
If you're planning on launching an LLC in Connecticut, you should understand how long the Connecticut Secretary of State takes to receive, verify and process your LLC registration documents.
Working with our qualified business consultants who’ve been in the LLC industry for almost a decade, we spent five weeks researching the available Connecticut LLC filing options and processing times.
Here's everything you need to know.
Quick Summary
- It takes 3-4 weeks to establish a Connecticut LLC through mail filing.
- Before you start any online LLC filing, you must create a ct.gov account online.
- The Connecticut SOS offers expedited processing for all business papers at an additional $50 state fee.
How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Connecticut?
It takes 3-4 weeks to form an LLC in Connecticut by mail, while online registration is filed almost immediately. Paper filings take 3-5 business days to be processed.
As of 10th January 2022, the Connecticut Secretary of State officially offers three filing methods for your business registration documents [1].
These methods include online filing, paper filing, and physical mail filing. As we'll see in the subsequent sections, these filing methods have different processing times.
Connecticut LLC Processing Time
When opening a new limited liability company in Connecticut, you must register the entity with the Secretary of State.
Here's a brief breakdown of the LLC processing times of each filing method.
1. Online Filings
To file your domestic or foreign LLC Articles of Organization online in the state of Connecticut, you must sign up for a ct.gov account and log in with your username and password.
The online registration process is relatively straightforward and can be approved instantly.
Ensure you have the following details before filing.
- Your business name /name reservation
- Your business street address in Connecticut
- Your entity's NAICS code
- Business email address
- Registered agent service name and address
Online filing is fast, and you can attach PDF documents of other necessary registration papers during the process [2].
The Connecticut business website also offers a new checklist instrument resource if you need more information on managing a business.
This program will provide a customized checklist in just a few easy steps that will walk you through every stage of starting a business, from staff hiring and insurance to registration and taxes.
2. Paper Filings
This paper filing is an online filing option introduced by the Connecticut SOS to replace email filing effective from 10th January 2022.
Here, domestic and foreign LLCs must submit all registration documents in the form of attachments.
You must log in to your ct.gov account, navigate to the 'Submit Paper Filing' option, and follow the commands therein.
Paper filings take 3-5 business days to be processed. Although it is slower than online filing, you can still pay an extra fee if you want your documents processed within 1 business day.
It's a good thing that you can also track and monitor your paper filings on your CT account by clicking the 'My Filings ' tab on your dashboard.
3. Physical Mail Filing/ In-Person Delivery
This filing method accounts for all documents delivered by hand, mail, UPS, or FedEx.
Physical mail delivery is one of the slowest filing methods offered by the Connecticut SOS and takes 3-4 weeks to be processed.
When sending physical mail to the SOS office, ensure the following:
- The document is correctly filled out and signed
- You write the correct SOS address on the envelope
- You attach the proper payment amount
Payments can be made only via money orders or checks - no cash or credit cards.
Also, it's unfortunate that the SOS doesn't offer expedited shipping for papers submitted by mail or in person.
4. Expedited Filings
Expedited processing allows small business owners in Connecticut to get their formation documents approved faster.
This rush filing service option is available for the following:
- All formation and registration documents that were submitted using the "Start a Business" flow command on the CT account
- Company filings made via the "Submit Paper Filing'" tab
- Certified document copies requests
Connecticut Secretary of State offers expedited filings for the Articles of Organization, annual reports, and other subsequent documents you'll file throughout the term of your domestic or foreign LLC.
You must pay additional state fees of $50 if you want your registration papers approved in 24 hours [3]. This amount is added to the standard filing fee for a document.
For example, the regular filing fee for the articles of organization is $120; if you add expedited processing, you'll pay $170.
Note that if you're submitting your Articles of Organization and initial report of the same LLC simultaneously, you'll only have to pay a one-time expedited service fee of $50.
Otherwise, every other LLC document is subject to a separate service fee. For example, if you request expedited shipping for your annual report and certificate of good standing, you'll pay $100 ($50 for each document).
Also, the Secretary of State doesn't offer expedited shipping for long-form certificates and certificates of no record for Connecticut LLCs.
See our article for more information on how much an LLC costs in Connecticut.
Steps To Start an LLC in Connecticut State
Follow these six steps to start an LLC in Connecticut:
- Step 1: Look up a Connecticut LLC and choose an available name for your limited liability company
- Step 2: Hire a Connecticut registered agent serviceÂ
- Step 3: Create and file your articles of organization along with the state fees
- Step 4: Apply for the correct Connecticut Business LLC Licenses per business law
- Step 5: Draft your domestic LLC operating agreement
- Step 6: Register for an employer identification number (EIN) for personal tax returns and open a LLC business bank account.
FAQs
Can I Expedite the LLC Registration Process in Connecticut?
Yes, you can expedite the LLC registration process in Connecticut if you choose online or paper filing methods. The expedited service fee costs $50.
Should You Hire an LLC Service in Connecticut?
Most Connecticut business owners find that forming a Connecticut limited liability company is the fastest and simplest way to start a business.
This is because an LLC provides the same benefits and security as bigger Connecticut businesses but with fewer restrictions.
If you're considering starting your LLC registration procedure and need assistance with the necessary paperwork and regulations, here is the list of the best Connecticut LLC services you can collaborate with.
These LLC service providers offer quick response times and low-cost LLC formation services. Thanks to their swift application process and top-notch customer support team, you'll have the resources to start your business and be operational quickly.
References:
- https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Business-Services/New-Filing-Policy
- https://business.ct.gov/start/registering-your-business?language=en_US
- https://business.ct.gov/knowledge-base/article/expedited-services-fees?language=en_US
