How to Start a Pennsylvania LLC

First, you need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.

You will need a distinctive and original name for your LLC that’s not used by any other business in Pennsylvania. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out a business entity name search on the PA Department of State website.

There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Pennsylvania LLC.

Learn about Pennsylvania LLC business naming rules.

Every Pennsylvania LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address can be outside the state of Pennsylvania, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.

Every PA LLC must have a “Registered Agent,” known in Pennsylvania as a “Commercial Registered Agent.” This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your PA Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Pennsylvania and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.

At Incfile, all of our packages include a Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.

Learn more about Pennsylvania Registered Agents

You will need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or Incfile can get one for you as part of the Pennsylvania LLC business formation process.

Once you've gathered all the information together for your Pennsylvania LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the PA Department of State. This document is known as your “Certificate of Organization,” and filing the document creates your Pennsylvania LLC. Here’s what is typically included:

• Your business name and address
• Details of your Registered Agent
• Names of organizers of the LLC at the time of filing

You can file your Pennsylvania LLC Certificate of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Pennsylvania. You only need to file your Certificate of Organization once.

Form Your LLC Now

Some states, including Pennsylvania, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of business typically have specialized requirements and licensing. Here are the occupations that the PA Department of State allows to form Pennsylvania professional LLCs.

• Chiropractic
• Dentistry
• Law
• Medicine and surgery
• Optometry
• Osteopathic medicine and surgery
• Podiatric medicine
• Public accounting
• Psychology
• Veterinary medicine

If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Pennsylvania, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.

More information on Pennsylvania filing and licensing requirements here