Question 1

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

The Department of State lists the Certificate of Organization for a domestic LLC at $125. Optional expedited service costs extra, on top of the filing fee: same-day service (received before 10:00 a.m.) $100, 3-hour service (received before 2:00 p.m.) $300, and 1-hour service (received before 4:00 p.m.) $1,000.

Question 2

How do you form an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

A Pennsylvania LLC is formed by filing a Certificate of Organization [DSCB:15-8821], with a docketing statement [DSCB:15-134A], with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. New entity forms are on the "Initial Forms" tab of the Business Filing Services online portal (an account is required); the Bureau calls online filing the easiest and fastest way. No advertising is required when forming a domestic LLC.

Question 3

What are the LLC name requirements in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

The name must contain the term "company," "limited" or "limited liability company," or an abbreviation of one of those terms (or words of like import used in another jurisdiction). A name can be reserved for the applicant's exclusive use for 120 days. The Department of State lists Name Reservation/Registration at $70.

Question 4

Do you need a registered agent for an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania uses a registered office rather than a named agent. The Certificate of Organization must state the street address of the company's registered office in Pennsylvania, or instead name a commercial registered office provider ("c/o" the provider) that has filed a statement of address with the Department of State. The Department lists a Change of Registered Office at $5.

Question 5

Does an LLC have to file an annual report in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Beginning in 2025, LLCs (domestic and foreign) must file an Annual Report [DSCB:15-146]. The fee is $7 for LLCs ($0 for LLCs with a not-for-profit purpose). LLC reports are due by September 30 each year, and the first report is due the year after formation or initial foreign registration. Beginning with reports due in 2027, an LLC that fails to file will be subject to administrative dissolution/termination/cancellation six months after the due date. Reinstatement costs $35 if filed electronically ($40 otherwise), plus $15 for each annual report not previously paid.

Question 6

Does Pennsylvania require an LLC to publish a notice?

Accepted Answer

The Department of State says no advertising is required when forming a domestic LLC, and no advertising is required for foreign LLCs registering to do business (advertising applies to foreign corporations). Separately, a fictitious name registration that lists an individual must be advertised in two newspapers of general circulation in the county, one of them a legal newspaper.

Question 7

Is an operating agreement required in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania law defines an operating agreement as the agreement of all the members, including a sole member, whether oral, implied, in record form, or any combination. No requirement to file it with the Department of State was found in the sources reviewed.

Question 8

How do you register a DBA in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Any business, including an LLC, that conducts business under a name other than its proper name must register it by filing a Registration of Fictitious Name form [DSCB:54-311] with the Department of State. The fee is $70. If an individual is listed on the form, notice must be advertised; otherwise it is not required. A business that fails to register may not use Pennsylvania courts to enforce contracts made under the name until it registers, and a court may impose a $500 penalty.

Question 9

How do you get a sales tax permit in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Revenue requires a Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Retail Tax License for any business that sells taxable items or performs taxable services. Returns must be filed whether or not taxable sales occur in a period, using myPATH or other options.

Question 10

How do you register a foreign LLC in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

An out-of-state LLC registers by filing a Foreign Registration Statement [DSCB:15-412] with a docketing statement [DSCB:15-134A]. The Department lists the registration fee for a foreign LLC at $250. No advertising is required for foreign LLCs.

Question 11

How do you dissolve an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

An LLC ends its legal existence by filing a Certificate of Termination with the Department of State. The fee schedule lists "Each ancillary transaction" for a domestic LLC at $70.

LLC filing fee	The Department of State lists the Certificate of Organization for a domestic LLC at $125. Optional expedited service costs extra, on top of the filing fee: same-day service (received before 10:00 a.m.) $100, 3-hour service (received before 2:00 p.m.) $300, and 1-hour service (received before 4:00 p.m.) $1,000. Act 135 of 2016 provides a business fee exemption for veteran-owned and reservist-owned small businesses. Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Fees and Payments
How to file	A Pennsylvania LLC is formed by filing a Certificate of Organization [DSCB:15-8821], with a docketing statement [DSCB:15-134A], with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. New entity forms are on the "Initial Forms" tab of the Business Filing Services online portal (an account is required); the Bureau calls online filing the easiest and fastest way. No advertising is required when forming a domestic LLC. The pages reviewed did not state standard processing times. Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company; Registration Forms and Documents
Name rules and reservation	The name must contain the term "company," "limited" or "limited liability company," or an abbreviation of one of those terms (or words of like import used in another jurisdiction). A name can be reserved for the applicant's exclusive use for 120 days. The Department of State lists Name Reservation/Registration at $70. Source: 15 Pa.C.S. §§ 204(c), 208(a); Pennsylvania Department of State, Fees and Payments
Registered agent	Pennsylvania uses a registered office rather than a named agent. The Certificate of Organization must state the street address of the company's registered office in Pennsylvania, or instead name a commercial registered office provider ("c/o" the provider) that has filed a statement of address with the Department of State. The Department lists a Change of Registered Office at $5. Source: 15 Pa.C.S. §§ 8821(b), 109; Pennsylvania Department of State, Fees and Payments
Operating agreement	Pennsylvania law defines an operating agreement as the agreement of all the members, including a sole member, whether oral, implied, in record form, or any combination. No requirement to file it with the Department of State was found in the sources reviewed. Source: 15 Pa.C.S. § 8812
Publication requirement	The Department of State says no advertising is required when forming a domestic LLC, and no advertising is required for foreign LLCs registering to do business (advertising applies to foreign corporations). Separately, a fictitious name registration that lists an individual must be advertised in two newspapers of general circulation in the county, one of them a legal newspaper. Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company; Foreign Associations; Fictitious Names

Annual report	Beginning in 2025, LLCs (domestic and foreign) must file an Annual Report [DSCB:15-146]. The fee is $7 for LLCs ($0 for LLCs with a not-for-profit purpose). LLC reports are due by September 30 each year, and the first report is due the year after formation or initial foreign registration. Beginning with reports due in 2027, an LLC that fails to file will be subject to administrative dissolution/termination/cancellation six months after the due date. Reinstatement costs $35 if filed electronically ($40 otherwise), plus $15 for each annual report not previously paid. Restricted professional companies also file a Certificate of Annual Registration by April 15, with a fee the Department lists as "at least $500". Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Annual Reports; Fees and Payments
Sales tax permit	The Department of Revenue requires a Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Retail Tax License for any business that sells taxable items or performs taxable services. Returns must be filed whether or not taxable sales occur in a period, using myPATH or other options. The page reviewed does not state a license fee. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax
DBA / assumed name	Any business, including an LLC, that conducts business under a name other than its proper name must register it by filing a Registration of Fictitious Name form [DSCB:54-311] with the Department of State. The fee is $70. If an individual is listed on the form, notice must be advertised; otherwise it is not required. A business that fails to register may not use Pennsylvania courts to enforce contracts made under the name until it registers, and a court may impose a $500 penalty. Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Fictitious Names; Fees and Payments

How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania: Fees, Filings and Annual Requirements

Quick answers for Pennsylvania

Forming the LLC

Keeping the LLC in good standing

Out-of-state LLCs and closing

Where to get help in Pennsylvania

Starting an LLC & Small Business FAQ

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