Pennsylvania LLCs are relatively inexpensive — especially when you consider that an LLC can protect your personal assets and help grow your business. That’s why forming an LLC is the best choice for most small businesses.
The cost to form an LLC in Pennsylvania is $125. This covers the primary cost of officially registering your LLC with the state.
Read our LLC Cost in Pennsylvania guide below to learn more about LLC costs and other fees associated with all Pennsylvania businesses.
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Northwest ($29 plus state fees)
How Much Is an LLC in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania LLC Filing Fee: $125
To form an LLC in Pennsylvania, you'll need to file the Certificate of Organization (Form 15-8821) with the Department of State. The Pennsylvania Department of State charges a $125 fee to process and record this document online or by mail.
You can complete this process yourself with our How to Start an LLC guide or use an LLC formation service.
Registered Office Fee
Pennsylvania does not record individual registered agents, but LLCs must maintain a registered office. Your Pennsylvania registered office must be a physical address within Pennsylvania and must be able to receive service of process during normal business hours.
You can be your own registered office in Pennsylvania, or you can use a registered agent service (known in the state as a commercial registered office provider) for a minimal cost.
Pennsylvania Annual Report Fee: $7
Starting in 2024, all Pennsylvania LLCs must submit an annual report to the Department of State along with a $7 filing fee.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Pennsylvania: $250
LLCs registered in another state that want to expand into the state of Pennsylvania must register 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) with the Department of State.
Business Licenses and Permits
Your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Pennsylvania, depending on your industry and geographical location. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.
Learn more about state and local licensing in our Pennsylvania business license guide.
Other Pennsylvania Business Filing Fees
There are fees associated with other, optional business filings in Pennsylvania.
LLC Name Reservation
You can reserve a business name for your LLC for up to 120 days by filing a Name Reservation form (Form 15-208) and paying the $70 filing fee.
‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) Name
When an LLC is registered with the state, the LLC’s name is also officially registered. Some business owners choose to also file for a DBA name, known as a fictitious name in Pennsylvania.
You can file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Pennsylvania Department of State and pay the $70 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.
Learn more in our Pennsylvania DBA guide.
Certified Document Copies
You can get certified copies of your Pennsylvania business documents by ordering them through the Department of State. Fees can range from $3 to $55 depending on what you request.
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 lenders.
Recommended: Learn more about LLC formation services in our Best LLC Services review.
How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania
Forming an LLC yourself is easy; just follow the five steps below.
Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania
Step 1: Name Your Pennsylvania LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Office
Step 3: File the Articles 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’s naming requirements
- Is available as a web domain
Check web domain (URL) availability with GoDaddy:
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our free LLC name generator.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Office
Pennsylvania LLCs are required to choose a registered office to receive service of process.
Business owners can hire a registered agent service (known in the state as a commercial registered office provider) or use any Pennsylvania street address that can receive a service of process at normal business hours.
Recommended: Northwest offers one full year of registered agent services with their $29 (plus state fees) LLC formation package.
Step 3: File Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization
To form an LLC in Pennsylvania, you must file the Certificate of Organization with the Department of State. This can be done online through the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop or by filing Form 15-8821 by mail.
For a closer look at the filing process, check out our Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization guide.
Step 4: Create an LLC Operating Agreement
Operating agreements are not required for Pennsylvania LLCs, but it’s still a good practice to have one.
An operating agreement outlines the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC, ensuring that all members are on the same page and reducing the risk of conflict down the line.
Learn more in our Pennsylvania LLC Operating Agreement guide.
Step 5: Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify businesses for tax purposes. Think of an EIN as a Social Security number for your LLC.
To learn how to get an EIN for free, visit our How to Get an EIN Number guide.
Pennsylvania Business Resources
LLC Cost in Pennsylvania FAQ
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to start an LLC in Pennsylvania is to handle the registration process individually. In order to do this, you will need to follow these steps:
- Name your LLC
- Choose a registered office: This can be a registered agent service or any Pennsylvania street address.
- File the Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization: The filing fee for this is $125 and can be done online or by mail.
- Create an LLC operating agreement: This is usually not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended.
- Get an EIN: This is basically your business’s Social Security number (SSN).
How much does an LLC cost per year in Pennsylvania?
Starting in 2024, Pennsylvania will require LLCs to submit an annual report alongside a $7 fee.
For a more in-depth analysis, see our How Much Does an LLC Cost? article.
How much does an LLC license cost in Pennsylvania?
An LLC is not a business license, but a business entity. Forming an LLC in Pennsylvania costs $125. There will also be a $7 annual report fee starting in 2024.
You may be required to pay additional fees if you choose to pay for a registered agent service, an LLC formation service, or an LLC attorney.
See our How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania for more information on registering your business as an LLC.
How do I start an LLC in Pennsylvania?
Yes, LLCs are a “pass-through” tax entity. This means that the LLCs profits are “passed through” directly to its owner(s), who then pay income taxes independently.
This is advantageous compared to a corporation’s tax structure because it means that LLC members are not taxed twice.
Having said that, readers should keep in mind that LLCs are very flexible when it comes to how they can be taxed, and — depending on the specifics — they can choose to be taxed as a pass-through entity, a C corp, and an S corp.
For more information, see our How Is an LLC Taxed guide.
What are the tax benefits of an LLC?
The tax benefits of an LLC will depend on how you choose to be taxed, as well as on whether you are operating as a single or multi-member LLC.
Generally speaking, LLCs can choose to be taxed in several different ways, including:
- As a sole proprietorship or general partnership
- As a C corporation
- As an S corporation
See our Single-Member LLC Taxes guide for a detailed overview of the tax benefits of having an LLC as a small business.
Do I need to open a business bank account for my LLC?
Even though you do not necessarily “need” to open a bank account for your LLC, this is generally highly recommended for several reasons.
For one, having a separate bank account can allow you to maintain your LLC’s corporate veil — meaning that you will not risk losing your limited personal liability under the law. A business bank account also offers financial benefits, including the ability to build business credit more quickly and access to larger business loans.
Interested in opening a business bank account? See our review of the best banks for startups in 2024.