Business Information

Sec. 35.1(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes: “No person, except as provided in this subsection, shall conduct or transact business in this state under any assumed name, or under any designation, name or style, corporate or otherwise, other than the real name or names of the person or persons conducting or transacting such business, unless there has been filed, in the office of the town clerk in the town in which such business is or is to be conducted or transacted, a certificate stating the name under which such business is or is to be conducted or transacted and the full name and post-office address of each person conducting or transacting such business……”

Trade Names, Sole Proprietorship, or "Doing Business As"

“Doing business as,” or DBA, is a term used to describe individuals who do business under a different name from their own legal personal name. This is also known as a trade name, assumed business name, or “doing business under a fictitious name.”

If you choose to do business under a different name from the one on your tax returns, you will have to file for a trade name certificate. You file a trade name certificate with the town clerk in the town where you do business, not with the Secretary of the State. This is known as the "doing business as" option. 

Corporations and limited liability companies can also function under trade names. If they're doing business under the name registered with our office they don't need to file a trade name with the town clerk.
 
 For example, if you are "Green Landscaping LLC" you don’t need to register a trade name if you’re conducting business as "Green Landscaping LLC". But if you wish to do business under a different name, then you will have to file a trade name with the town clerk.

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 1/1/2025 expire December 31, 2029. The new law also creates 3 new filing types. 
1.    An amendment to change the information originally submitted;

2.    A cancellation to end a trade name before expiration; and

3.    A renewal to extend the expiration date.  

Trade Name Forms - Fillable Forms are available at the following SOTS link
https://business.ct.gov/knowledge-base/articles/trade-names?language=en_US
Filing of a Trade Name does not give permission to do business in the Town of Litchfield, but by law puts the public on notice as to who the owner of the business is. Proper permits, licenses and other business requirements must also be met.

The First Step for Businesses
Connecticut Licensing Info Center 1-800-392-2122

Contact the Connecticut Licensing Info Center and the Smart Start business assistance service for information about business requirements and application forms.