Pennsylvania requires "limited liability company" spelled out in full or "LLC" abbreviation. Can't use "Ltd" or "Co" alone. 18% of PA LLC applications rejected for improper name designator.
PA LLC Name Requirements
Must contain "limited liability company", "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Ltd. Liability Co."
Can't be same as existing PA entity - phonetic spelling checked.
Can't imply illegal activity or government affiliation.
Restricted words need proof: Attorney, Bank, Insurance, University, Professional Corporation.
Name Availability Search
Search at paopenforbusiness.pa.gov (PA Business Entity Search).
Checks: Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, limited partnerships.
Database updated daily. Free unlimited searches.
Search variations and phonetic spellings to avoid rejections.
Similar Name Standard
PA uses "confusingly similar" test.
Examples: "Keystone Consulting LLC" vs "Keystone Consultancy LLC" - likely rejected.
"Philadelphia Tech LLC" vs "Philly Tech LLC" - different enough, likely approved.
"Penn Solutions" vs "Pennsylvania Solutions" - probably rejected.
More distinctive means safer approval.
Common PA Rejections: Using only "Ltd" without "Liability Company". Name too similar to existing entity in database. Using "Pennsylvania" or "PA" in name without state approval. Professional designations (CPA, Esq.) without license verification. Check thoroughly before $125 filing.
Name Reservation Process
Reserve name 120 days before filing.
Cost: $70 by mail or online. Submit form DSCB:54-311.
Processing: 5-7 business days.
Can extend for additional 120 days - another $70 fee.
Protects name while you prepare operating agreement and finances.
Filing Certificate of Organization
File form DSCB:15-8821 online or by mail.
Include: LLC name with proper designator, street address in PA (no PO boxes), registered office address, organizer information.
Fee: $125. Processing: 15 business days online, 8-10 weeks by mail.
Expedite: $100 for 5-day processing.
Trademark Clearance
PA Department of State doesn't search federal trademarks.
Search USPTO separately at tmsearch.uspto.gov.
Federal trademark rights trump state LLC name - can force name change even after PA approval.
30-minute search prevents $20,000+ rebrand costs later.
Pennsylvania is "first to file" state. Trademark priority is based on filing date, not use date. File trademark application IMMEDIATELY after LLC approval to secure earliest priority date possible.
Decennial Report
Unlike most states, PA requires report every 10 years, not annually.
Due 10 years from formation date. Fee: $70.
Filed online via PA Business Services portal.
Late penalty: LLC dissolved after 5 years of non-filing.
Much cheaper than annual $75-100 fees in other states.
Fictitious Name (DBA)
Register at county level if operating under different name.
File with Prothonotary office in each county where doing business.
Philadelphia County: $70 filing. Other counties: $50-100 typical.
Renewal: Every 5 years.
Example: "Smith Holdings LLC" DBA "Philly Coffee Shop".
When DBA Required
Using shortened version of legal name. Operating multiple businesses under one LLC.
Name doesn't include owner's surname (sole proprietorships).
Must register in each county where physically operating - not just advertising.
Multi-County Operations: Must file DBA in EACH county where you have physical location or employees. Operating in 3 counties means 3 separate DBA filings at $50-70 each. Total: $150-210. Plan ahead if you're running a multi-location business.
Professional LLCs
Lawyers, doctors, accountants must form PLLC (Professional LLC).
File form DSCB:15-8832.
All members must be licensed in profession. Include profession in name: "Smith Medical PLLC".
Fee: $125 (same as regular LLC). Requires professional license verification.
Name Change After Formation
File Certificate of Amendment (form DSCB:15-8824).
Fee: $125. Processing: 15 business days online.
Must update: Federal EIN, bank accounts, contracts, insurance, business licenses.
Allow 4-6 weeks total to complete all updates.
Costs Summary
Name search: Free. Name reservation (optional): $70. Certificate of Organization: $125.
Expedited filing (optional): $100. Registered agent service (optional): $100-250/year.
Decennial report: $70 every 10 years. DBA registration (if needed): $50-100 per county.
Total first year: $125-$395 depending on options.
PA vs Other States
Advantages: Decennial report every 10 years vs annual - saves $600+ over 10 years.
Lower filing fee than NY ($200). No publication requirement.
Disadvantages: Slower processing than Delaware. Higher expedite fee ($100 vs $50-75 elsewhere).
Choice: Form in state where you physically operate.
Trademark Lens verifies Pennsylvania LLC name availability and federal trademark conflicts before you pay $125 filing fee.