Connecticut Secretary of State – CT SOS Business Search

Connecticut Secretary of State Business Services
Address: Secretary of the State ATTN: Commercial Recording Division PO Box 150470 Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Telephone: (860) 509-6032
Website: www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=415808&sotsNav=|
E-Mail: https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/General/Contact-Us
Hours: 8:30 to 4:00 Monday – Friday

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

Search any type of business entity in Connecticut (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.) by using the Concord  Secretary of State’s Website. You will be able to perform your search by Name, Business ID, or Filing Number.

The most popular way to look up a business is by Name. Although, the system will only return all exact matching entities to your keywords entered. If you only know the keywords the corporation begins with, you must add an asterisk (*) to the last letter of the last keyword. After entering you will get to the results page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

The Secretary of State will show 25 results per page and give you a preview of the Business’s Name, ID Number, Status, and Principal Address. To view all the information about the entity you are looking for you will need to click on the light blue text link under Business Name.

Next you will be brought to the final step which is known as the Details Page (Seen Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

Above is an example of an entity card that has all the information located with the Secretary of State about the specific corporation. You are able to view all but not limited to the business’s Name, ID Number, Principal and Mailing Address, Date of Formation, Officers, and Registered Agent. On the lower right-hand corner in the blue link, you will be able to view any and all previous filings with the Secretary of State and be able to download copies in Adobe PDF.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Connecticut

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.