Connecticut Registered Agent Requirements 2026: What You Need to Know

What a Registered Agent Does in Connecticut

A registered agent (also called a "statutory agent" or "agent for service of process") is the official point of contact between your LLC and the state of Connecticut. Every Connecticut LLC is required by law to designate and maintain a registered agent at all times.

Your registered agent is responsible for:

• Receiving service of process (lawsuits, subpoenas, legal notices) on behalf of your LLC
• Accepting official correspondence from the Connecticut Secretary of the State (SOTS)
• Receiving tax notices from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
• Forwarding all received documents to you promptly

Connecticut law requires the registered agent to be physically present at a Connecticut street address during normal business hours. This ensures that your LLC can always be reached for legal and official purposes.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Connecticut?

Connecticut allows three categories of registered agents:

1. An individual Connecticut resident — Any person who lives in Connecticut with a physical CT street address can serve as registered agent. This includes LLC members, managers, employees, attorneys, or any trusted individual with a CT address.
2. A Connecticut-authorized business entity — A corporation, LLC, or other business entity that is authorized to transact business in Connecticut (i.e., incorporated or registered with the SOTS) can serve as registered agent. This covers commercial registered agent companies.
3. The LLC itself cannot be its own registered agent. Connecticut law requires the agent to be a separate person or entity from the LLC being registered.

Connecticut Registered Agent Address Requirements

Connecticut has strict requirements for the registered agent address:

• Must be a physical street address in Connecticut — No PO Boxes, mail drops, or virtual office addresses that are not physically staffed
• Must be located in Connecticut — Out-of-state addresses do not qualify
• Agent must be available during normal business hours — Typically Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
• Address is public record — Searchable in the CT SOTS business registry at business.ct.gov

How to Designate Your Registered Agent in Connecticut

You designate your registered agent when you file your Certificate of Organization with the SOTS. The form requires you to provide the registered agent's full legal name and Connecticut street address. There is no separate registration fee for the agent designation — it is included in the $120 formation fee.

If you are using a professional registered agent service, they will provide you with their Connecticut address to use on your formation documents. Get their written consent before listing them as your agent.

How to Change Your Registered Agent in Connecticut

You can change your Connecticut registered agent at any time by filing a Certificate of Change of Registered Agent/Office with the CT SOTS. The filing fee is $50. You can file online at business.ct.gov.

The change takes effect when the SOTS processes your filing. You should notify your new registered agent before filing and obtain their written consent to serve. Never remove your current registered agent without having a replacement ready — your LLC must have an active registered agent at all times.

Registered Agent Costs: DIY vs. Professional Service

You have two main options for your Connecticut registered agent:

Consequences of Missing Service of Process

If your LLC is sued and service of process is delivered to your registered agent, you have a limited window to respond. If your agent fails to forward documents to you — or if you have no valid registered agent — you may miss the response deadline entirely, resulting in a default judgment against your LLC.

Additionally, Connecticut law requires the SOTS to be able to reach your LLC at all times. If the SOTS cannot deliver official correspondence (such as annual report notices or dissolution warnings) because your registered agent is invalid or unreachable, your LLC may be administratively dissolved without you even knowing.