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Register a business in Pennsylvania
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Pennsylvania. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Pennsylvania business entities file with the Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, mainly through the online Business Filing Services system. Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Pennsylvania LLC is formed by a Certificate of Organization (DSCB:15-8821), filed in the Business Filing Services system together with a Docketing Statement (DSCB:15-134A). Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Filing fees are non-refundable, whether the filing is accepted or rejected. Expedited service is optional and extra. Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Certificate of Organization filing fee: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Optional same-day expedite, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Optional three-hour expedite, added: $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Optional one-hour expedite, added: $1,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Pennsylvania business corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation (DSCB:15-1306), filed together with a Docketing Statement (DSCB:15-134A). Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- A corporation must also advertise the filing in newspapers (15 Pa.C.S. section 1307). The newspapers set the cost, and the proofs stay with the corporate minutes. Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Since 2025, most Pennsylvania corporations and LLCs file Annual Reports (DSCB:15-146) online. Corporations file from January 1 to June 30, and LLCs from January 1 to September 30. Nonprofits pay no fee. Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Annual Report fee, for-profit entities: $7 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A fictitious name is registered with the Department of State. If an individual is a party, the registrant must also publish notice in two newspapers, one of them a legal newspaper, in the county. An entity that does not register cannot use Pennsylvania courts to enforce contracts made under the name. Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
- Fictitious name registration: $70 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Department of State, as of
State tax registration
- New businesses register for taxes through myPATH’s Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration (Enterprise Registration Form PA-100). Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Contractors whose home improvement work reaches the yearly amount below register with the Attorney General (Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act). Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as of
- Home improvement covers work on private residences, including construction or installation of swimming pools. The registration applies to work at private residences. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as of
- Yearly home improvement work at which registration applies: $5,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as of
- Home improvement contractor registration, every two years: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Fees and Payments Pennsylvania Department of State. As of .
- Certificate of Organization (Domestic LLC) Pennsylvania Department of State. As of .
- Articles of Incorporation (for profit) Pennsylvania Department of State. As of .
- Annual Reports Pennsylvania Department of State. As of .
- Fictitious Names Pennsylvania Department of State. As of .
- Register My Business for Taxes Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. As of .
- Home Improvement Contractor Registration Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. As of .
- Home Improvement Contractor Registration FAQs Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked