Launching a business is an exciting process. Before launching a business in Pennsylvania, you should do a business entity search to confirm the name you have chosen for your business is available. Business owners can use the Pennsylvania Department of State filing portal to search business entity names, file business records and order business records online.
What Is a Business Entity?
A business entity is any organization formed for the purpose of conducting business. A business entity can include a partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation or sole proprietorship.
Starting a Business in Pennsylvania
To start a business in Pennsylvania, you need to confirm that the business name you have selected is available for use. If the name is available for use, you then need to register the business with the Pennsylvania Department of State. After registering the business, you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax reporting purposes. Depending on your industry and type of business, you may also need a Pennsylvania business license.
If you aren’t ready to register the business yet, but want to reserve the business name, you can do so by submitting a Name Reservation form and paying a $70 filing fee.
