How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Pennsylvania is $125. This fee is paid to the Pennsylvania Department of State when filing the LLC’s Certificate of Organization.
Use our free Form an LLC in Pennsylvania guide to do it yourself.
Or simply use a professional service:

How Much Does an LLC Cost 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.
How to Register a Pennsylvania LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC yourself is easy; just follow the five steps below.
Recommended: If you already have a business that is running as a sole proprietorship, visit our How to Change from a Sole Proprietorship to LLC page.
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:
- Is available for use in the state of Pennsylvania
- Meets Pennsylvania naming requirements
- 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.
Recommended: Get a free year of registered agent services when you hire Northwest to form your LLC. $29 (plus state fees).
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.
OPTION 1: File Online With Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop
- OR -
OPTION 2: File Form 15-8821 by Mail
State Filing Cost: $125, payable to the Department of State
Mailing Address:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Note: You must include a Docketing Statement when filing by mail.
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
Free EIN: You can get an EIN from the IRS website (free of charge) after forming your business.
Pennsylvania LLC Cost FAQ
Do you have to pay for a Pennsylvania LLC every year?
No, you do not have to pay a state fee for a Pennsylvania LLC every year. However, there is a $70 decennial report fee every 10 years. Visit our Pennsylvania Decennial Report guide for more information.
Is an LLC really necessary?
An LLC provides limited liability protection. This means an LLC protects your personal assets in the event of a business loss, such as a lawsuit or unpaid debt.
We recommend any small business that carries even the smallest amount of risk or liability to form an LLC. Learn more in our Should I Start an LLC guide.
What is the cheapest way to get an LLC?
You can save money on getting an LLC by completing the formation process yourself, making your own operating agreement, being your own Agent for Service of Process, and getting your own EIN.
Check out our How to Save Money Forming Your LLC guide to learn more.
Can I pay myself a salary from my LLC?
You can pay yourself a salary from your LLC, but it would be called a draw or distribution if your LLC is taxed in the default way by the IRS.
Visit our How to Pay Yourself from an LLC guide to learn more.
Is an S corp better than an LLC?
An S corporation (S corp) is an IRS tax status, not a type of business entity. An LLC can be taxed in the default way or as an S corp. For some businesses, being taxed as an S corp can make lots of sense.
Check out our LLC vs. S corp guide to find out if S corp status is right for your business.
What’s better: sole proprietorship or LLC?
A sole proprietorship is only good for businesses that carry very low risk of liability because sole proprietorships don’t offer any liability protection.
Learn more in our sole proprietorship vs. LLC guide.
Article Sources
Department of State - PENN File:
https://file.dos.pa.gov
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Pennsylvania Department of State:
https://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/Pages/default.aspx
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce List:
http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Pennsylvania.html