What are the requirements for incorporating a for-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

The name of every Pennsylvania or foreign business corporation must be available for use and must include a designator: Incorporated, Corporation, Company, Limited (or an abbreviation thereof), or Association, Fund, or syndicate. A corporate name may not include a blasphemous word or phrase. Any corporation organized under the Business Corporation Law or Nonprofit Corporation Law may not express or imply a purpose to engage in activities as a governmental agency. The name must not be the same as, or substantially similar to, the name of any other Pennsylvania corporation, foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company or limited liability partnership. Name reservations are available by written request for a period of 120 days, at a fee of $70.

Submitted documents must be on Corporations Bureau forms or on 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Documents should be typed or printed in black or blue ink and be legible for microfilming.

Publication of either the intent to file or the actual filing of Articles of Incorporation must be made in two newspapers of general circulation, including a legal journal, if possible.

What is the filing fee for Pennsylvania for-profit corporations?

The filing fee is $125. Customers may pay by check or money order made payable to the PA Department of State.

What are the requirements for incorporating a nonprofit corporation?

Submitted documents must be on Corporations Bureau forms or on 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Documents should be typed or printed in black or blue ink and be legible for microfilming.

Publication of either the intent to file or the actual filing of Articles of Incorporation must be made in two newspapers of general circulation, including a legal journal, if possible.

A nonprofit corporation may be formed for any purpose not inconsistent with its status. The corporation must be able to fulfill its purpose without financial benefit to the members, except through salaries and expenses.

What is the filing fee for Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations?

The filing fee is $125. Customers may pay by check or money order made payable to the PA Department of State.

What are the requirements for forming a limited liability company in Pennsylvania?

A Certificate of Organization must be filed with the Corporation Bureau on Form DSCB: 15-8913, accompanied by a docketing statement, Fomr DSCB: 15-134A.

Submitted documents must be on Corporations Bureau forms or on 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Documents should be typed or printed in black or blue ink and be legible for microfilming.

What is the filing fee for limited liability companies?

The filing fee is $125. Customers may pay by check or money order made payable to the PA Department of State.



The foregoing summary is provided for information purposes only and is not to be considered legal or business advice. The information may not be complete, accurate or applicable for any particular situation and should not be relied upon.