Connecticut State Law requires that anyone conducting business under an assumed name (DBA) must file a Trade Name Certificate in the Town Clerk’s Office in the town where business is being conducted.

All people who are authorized to sign on behalf of the business must sign their name on the Trade Name Certificate.

An Adoption or Cancellation of a Trade Name Certificate may be obtained by clicking the appropriate link below or from the Town Clerk’s office. Once the fillable form is completed with the business name and street address (not PO Box address), and the owner’s name and street address (not PO Box address), and printed out, it must be notarized by a Notary or Town Clerk. It is then filed in the Town Clerk’s office with a $20 filing fee.  The Town Customer Service Center offers notary services in the main entrance of Town Hall, Mon-Fri from 8:00 - 4:30 pm.

The trade name filing requirement does NOT apply to:

• Partnerships, if the partnership name contains the true last name of at least one of the persons comprising said partnership;
• Limited partnerships which have registered with the Secretary of State and are doing business under the same name; or
• Limited liability companies which have registered with the Secretary of State and are doing business under the same name.

Trade Name Certificate Forms

There are 2 options for filing a Trade Name Certificate.  A person with a DBA or a business using a DBA.  Both forms are listed below, as well as the Trade Name Cancellation form. 

 Trade Name -Person

Trade Name -Business

Trade Name Cancellation

 Trade Name Addendum

Additional Information

For additional information please refer to Connecticut General Statutes Sec.~35-1.

If you require any additional information or would like more information about starting a business in Connecticut, please contact the CONNECTICUT LICENSING INFO CENTER at 1-800-392-2122 or visit the CT Licensing Center website.

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