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Register Your North Carolina LLC in Connecticut

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for North Carolina LLCs expanding into Connecticut.

Cost Summary

Connecticut filing fee: $120
North Carolina Certificate of Existence: $15
Annual obligation in Connecticut: $80/year
Estimated year 1 total: $215

Note: Year 1 total includes the $120 filing fee in Connecticut plus the $15 Certificate of Existence fee from North Carolina. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.

North Carolina data verified May 1, 2026 · sosnc.gov

Connecticut data verified May 1, 2026 · portal.ct.gov

How to register your North Carolina LLC in Connecticut

Check name availability in Connecticut

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Connecticut. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Check the Connecticut Secretary of State website for name availability search.

Get a Certificate of Existence from North Carolina

Connecticut requires a Certificate of Existence from North Carolina to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $15. No expiration printed; foreign-state applications typically require dating within 30-90 days (NC foreign-entity filings require dating within 6 months).

File the Application for Certificate of Authority in Connecticut

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Existence and the $120 filing fee. Processing time is 5-10 business days. Expedited processing available for $50.

Connecticut filing portal ↗

Appoint a registered agent in Connecticut

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Connecticut to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Connecticut

Annual report: $80/year
Report due: March 31
Processing time: 5-10 business days
Expedite: $50

Activities that do NOT require registration in Connecticut

Maintaining or defending a lawsuit, administrative proceeding, or arbitration
Holding meetings of members or managers, or carrying on internal company affairs
Maintaining bank accounts
Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange, or registration of the LLC's own securities
Selling through independent contractors
Soliciting or obtaining orders if orders require acceptance outside the state before becoming contracts
Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests in real or personal property
Securing or collecting debts, or enforcing mortgages or security interests
Owning real or personal property
Conducting an isolated transaction completed within 30 days that is not part of repeated similar transactions
Transacting business in interstate commerce

Connecticut's Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, codified at Chapter 613a, lists activities that do not constitute transacting business at Section 34-275d (effective July 2017).

Need a registered agent in Connecticut?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗

Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Registered Agents Inc

$200/year · Includes annual report filing

Visit site ↗

Harbor Compliance

$99/year · Full-service compliance option

Visit site ↗

Not sure which service fits? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review cover pricing, renewal terms, and where each one fits.

Need a business address in Connecticut?

A virtual mailbox gives your LLC a professional address in Connecticut for mail forwarding, public filings, and banking—without leasing office space.

Northwest Mail Forwarding $20/mo

Unique suite number + unlimited digital mail scanning

Learn more ↗

Registered Agents Inc $50/yr

10 mail scans/year + unique suite number

Learn more ↗

Independent mailbox providers

iPostal1

Largest address network in the US. Best budget option for basic mail scanning.

From $9.99/mo Visit site ↗

Alliance Virtual Offices

Best if you need a real office address for bank accounts or Amazon seller verification.

From $49/mo Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Sources

https://portal.ct.gov/sots

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify all fees and requirements with the Connecticut Secretary of State before filing.