Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 12:14 pm by TRUiC Team

How to File a DBA in Pennsylvania

Registering a DBA known in Pennsylvania as a fictitious name, will establish your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.

We’ll show you how to register a Pennsylvania DBA below.

Or, you can save time and use a trusted DBA service.

Recommended: Register your DBA and establish your brand with LegalZoom. Packages start at $99 (plus state filing fees).

Learn how to file a DBA Pennsylvania

Register a Fictitious Name in Pennsylvania

Registering a Pennsylvania fictitious name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Pennsylvania fictitious names must be unique and must also meet Pennsylvania’s business name requirements.

First, visit the Pennsylvania Department of State's Business Name Search website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Next, review the Pennsylvania naming requirements. In Pennsylvania, fictitious names should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
  • Any terms given to financial institutions, including: "bank," "banc," "banco," "banque," "banker, "trust company," "savings and loan association," "savings bank," "credit union" or other similar words.

We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

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Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our free logo generator.

Step 2. Register Your Pennsylvania DBA

Your Pennsylvania fictitious name can be filed online or by mail with the Department of State. You can file online with the PENN File website or you can complete the Registration of Fictitious Name form.

Some important sections of the form include:

  • Section 2: Brief description of the business 
  • Section 4: Names and addresses of individuals interested in the business
  • Section 5: Names and addresses of entities (other than individuals) interested in the business
  • Section 7: Names of anyone authorized to amend or cancel the registration on behalf of the existing parties

Recommended: Use a reputable service. LegalZoom offers a hassle free DBA filing package starting at $99 + State Filing Fees.

File a Pennsylvania Fictitious Name

Option 1: File Online With the PENN File Website

File Online

- OR -

Option 2: File the Registration of Fictitious Name by Mail or In-Person

Download Form

Cost:
$70 Filing Fee

Mailing Address:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

Manage Your Pennsylvania Fictitious Name

General Questions
Call the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau: (717) 787-1057

Renew Your Fictitious Name with the State
Your Pennsylvania fictitious name does not need to be renewed.

Change Your Fictitious Name
To make changes to your fictitious name, file online or fill out the Amendment, Withdrawal, Cancellation of Fictitious Name Registration form. The fee is $70. Mail the downloadable form to the address found below:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
To withdraw or cancel your fictitious name, file online or fill out the Amendment, Withdrawal, Cancellation of Fictitious Name Registration form. The fee is $70. Mail the downloadable form to the address found below:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

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Step 3. Complete Pennsylvania Advertising Requirements

If your business lists individual parties in Box 4 of their Registration of Fictitious Name form, they must publish an advertisement that states their intent to file for a new fictitious name. If your business has NOT listed individual parties on their registration form, you may skip this step.

This advertisement must be placed in two newspapers in the county where your business address is located. These newspapers must be in general circulation and one must be a legal newspaper. If your county has only one newspaper, you only have to publish in that one. The Department of State provides a list of recognized county publications.

In your advertisement, you must include the following:

  • Your fictitious name
  • Your business's principal address
  • The names and addresses of any individuals listed in Box 4 of your registration form
  • A brief statement saying that you applied for or intend to apply for a Pennsylvania fictitious name

You do not have to send proof of advertising to the state, but you must keep it with your business records.

After Filing Your Pennsylvania DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, then there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:

  • Create your Business’s Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that’s best for you.
  • Get your Business Finances in Order - You’ll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business has long lead times or other cash flow irregularities, you can also look into a business credit card.
  • Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business’s assets also need protection. Having the right business insurance will ensure that you’re covered if the worst happens. Most businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

DBA Pennsylvania FAQ

You can have as many DBAs as you can afford to create and are able to keep track of. Each one comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.

DBAs aren’t required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren’t a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To learn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.

No. An LLC is a business entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.

Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business entity, therefore it can choose to become an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.

A DBA can only have Inc. in the name if the business entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.

Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will not afford you any protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental property. In any case, it is always best to consult an attorney.

Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business’s legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name change.

Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to state. It is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.