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How to form an LLC in Pennsylvania

File a Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. State filing fee $125.

Start my Pennsylvania LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$125

State filing fee

How to file

Online or by mail

Standard processing varies (online typically days, paper longer); same-day, 3-hour, 1-hour expedite.

Keeping it active

Annual Report

January 1 - September 30 each year, starting the year after formation · $7

The steps in Pennsylvania

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Company”, “Limited”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Co.”, “Ltd.”. 15 Pa.C.S. 204; name consent (DSCB:19-17.2) or government approval attached when required. You can reserve a name first for $70 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a registered office (or commercial registered office provider)

    PA street address (no PO box) with county, or name of a CROP and county of venue.

  3. 3

    File the Certificate of Organization

    File with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations (form DSCB:15-8821). You can file online or by mail. Fee: $125.

  4. 4

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Pennsylvania law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then file the Annual Report (january 1 - September 30 each year, starting the year after formation).

Fees

Filing fee — Certificate of Organization$125
Optional: Same-day (by 10 a.m.) expedite+$100
Optional: 3-hour (by 2 p.m.) expedite+$300
Optional: 1-hour (by 4 p.m.) expedite+$1,000
Optional: name reservation$70
Later: Annual Report$7

Checks/money orders; credit cards accepted for expedited services only. Veteran/reservist fee exemption available.

State taxes to know about

No LLC franchise tax; restricted professional companies pay annual registration (at least $500).

Questions about Pennsylvania LLCs

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

The Pennsylvania filing fee for the Certificate of Organization is $125. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Pennsylvania?

You file a Certificate of Organization (form DSCB:15-8821) with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

›Does Pennsylvania require a registered agent?

Yes. PA street address (no PO box) with county, or name of a CROP and county of venue.

›Does a Pennsylvania LLC file an annual report?

Yes: the Annual Report, january 1 - September 30 each year, starting the year after formation, fee $7.

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Pennsylvania page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • How long the state currently takes to process filings
  • The link to the state’s business name search
  • The mailing address for paper filings
  • The links to the online filing system and the state’s office
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.