How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania LLC Online Filing Fee: $125

The main cost to start an LLC is the $125 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Organization online with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

For a look at LLC cost in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Pennsylvania Decennial Report Fee: $70

Pennsylvania requires LLCs to file a decennial report with the Department of State.

Pennsylvania's decennial report is due every ten years in years ending in 1 (e.g., 2021, 2031, etc.).

Registered Office Fee

In Pennsylvania you can be your own Registered Office / Commercial Registered Office Provider (also known as a registered agent), but using a registered office service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered office, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered office is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Pennsylvania Registered Office. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Pennsylvania

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Pennsylvania, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Pennsylvania.

The cost for registering a Pennsylvania foreign LLC is $250. You can register a foreign LLC in Pennsylvania by filing a Foreign Registration Statement (Form 15-412).

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Pennsylvania. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting a Pennsylvania business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing a Name Reservation/Transfer of Reservation form (Form 15-208) and paying the $70 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File a Registration of Fictitious Name form (Form 54-311) and pay the $70 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Pennsylvania business documents by ordering through the Department of State. Fees vary.

Certificate of Subsistence:
Also known as a Pennsylvania certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering through the Department of State and paying the $40 fee. A certificate of subsistence is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania

Step 1: Name Your Pennsylvania LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Office
Step 3: File a Certificate of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Pennsylvania LLC

When you name your Pennsylvania LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Pennsylvania
2. Meets Pennsylvania naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Pennsylvania guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Pennsylvania.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Office

Pennsylvania does not record registered offices, but all LLCs must choose a registered office. A registered office is the place where the state can contact your business and is where your business will receive service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Pennsylvania registered office must be a physical address in Pennsylvania where your LLC can accept service of process during normal business hours.

Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

The PA Form 15-8821 - Certificate of Organization is a document that is filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Organization is $125 online and by mail.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Organization, visit our How to File the Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Pennsylvania LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Pennsylvania LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees