Trade Names

Trade Name Certificates (DBA)

Changes to Trade Name Certificates effective 1/1/2025

Please use this link to obtain a fillable form and instructions:

Link to Secretary of the State: Trade Name Certificates

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.

The goals of the new law are to: 

• Begin the process of establishing a statewide Connecticut Trade Name Registry, searchable by the general public on business.ct.gov; 
• For trade names held by business organizations, link the data on file with the Secretary of the State with the trade name data filed with town clerks;
• Ensure that the trade name data is more accurate by requiring renewal every 5 years and adding an amendment process;
• Clarify the process for town clerks, to ensure uniform application of the trade name law in all 169 towns.

The cost of filing a Trade Name Certificate, Amendment to a Trade Name Certificate and Cancellation of a Trade Name Certificate is $20.00.