Trade Names

What Does “Doing Business As” Mean?

Trade Names, Sole Proprietorship or “Doing Business As”

A trade name is a fictitious name under which business is transacted, sometimes referred to as “doing business as” or “d/b/a.” A trade name can be registered by: (1) one individual; (2) a group of individuals; or (3) a business organization registered with the secretary of the state.

A trade name is not a business organization and provides no liability protection itself. It does not protect that business name from use by someone else. A trade name merely provides public notice that an individual or individuals are conducting business under an assumed name or that a business organization is conducting business under a name that is different than the name under which it is registered with the secretary of the state.

Where to File

A trade name is filed with the local town clerk where the business is primarily transacted. For individuals, this is the address you provide on the trade name application.

Domestic businesses (formed with the secretary of the state), file in the town of your “business address” on file with the secretary. That is also the address you should list on the trade name application.

Foreign businesses (formed elsewhere but registered with the secretary of the state), use the business’s principal location in Connecticut or, if none, the town of your resident agent.

Fees to File

When you deliver the trade name application to the city clerk, you must pay a $20 filing fee payable to the city clerk.

Trade Name Forms

The forms below should be used for a trade name filed on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The forms must be hand signed by the applicant(s) and notarized by the city clerk or another notary.

Download the forms here Version OptionsTrade NamesHeadline.

For all trade name information, visit the State of Connecticut Business.CT.gov website.