Starting a business in Pennsylvania involves several steps, but one of the first is choosing a business name. This step is a little more complicated when setting up an LLC or corporation in Pennsylvania because these business structures must have a unique name.
To help you verify that your corporation or LLC is available to use, our step-by-step guide will show you how to quickly do a Pennsylvania business name search using the Pennsylvania Secretary of State business name database.
Related: Guide to starting a business in Pennsylvania
Steps To Do A Pennsylvania Business Name Search
Step 1: Visit the Pennsylvania Entity Name Database
Go to the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Step 2: Search your Business Name
Enter the name you would like to use in the “Business Entity Name / ID” field. In this example, we will do a Pennsylvania LLC name search by looking up “Lawn & Order.” Enter your name and click “Name Availability Check.” It is recommended to search by “Starting With,” “Any Words,” and “Sounds Like” in the drop-down menu to search your name thoroughly. Checking the “Only Active Corporations” will limit the search to only entities that are in good standing with the state.
Step 3: Review Results
Searching the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Lawn & Order.” To be able to register a corporation or LLC name in Pennsylvania, the name must be distinguishable from the other names registered. If you were looking to form an LLC with this name, you wouldn’t be able to since there is already one registered.
To find more information about any of the registered business names, click on the link in the “Business Entity Name” column to see a detailed report. In this example, we will look up “Lawn & Order LLC.”
While the name “Lawn & Order LLC” is not available, we can do an example search for one that is. This time we will look up “Cowboy Cleaners,” which brings a result that says, “No results found for search term.” Even if the name looks like it is available, the Department of State will do its own search to avoid confusing potential customers with a business name that sounds like someone else’s. Typically words that sound alike but are spelled differently, and even abbreviations will make names show up as available but won’t be approved.
These are the basics of searching for a small business name in Pennsylvania. Even when the name of the business you want looks like it is available, the Department of State will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names.
What information can be found on the Pennsylvania business entity database?
The Pennsylvania state business entity search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:
- Business Name
- Entity type: Corporation, Limited Liability Company, etc.
- Status: Active means the entity is in good standing with the state, and all reports and filing fees are up to date. Inactive results may be available to register.
- Formed In: Domestic means the business initially formed in the state. Foreign means an out-of-state entity that wants to do business in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Entity Creation Date: The date the entity was first filed with the Department of State.
- Effective Date: The date the entity first became active.
- Address: This could be the business’s physical address, or it could be an address where business records are stored.
- A certified copy of the LLC Certificate of Organization and other documents can be purchased.
Pennsylvania Business Name Search FAQs
How do I find a name for a Pennsylvania sole proprietorship?
Unlike corporations and LLCs in Pennsylvania, the names of Pennsylvania sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not listed on the state database. Instead, they are registered with the County Clerk’s office in the county where the business is located.
Registering a name for a sole proprietorship or general partnership requires filing a Pennsylvania Fictitious Name (often referred to as a DBA or Doing Business As name) with the County Clerk.
How do I form a Pennsylvania LLC?
Before starting your business and forming an LLC, be sure to do the business entity search first to make sure the name is available to use. Once you know the LLC name is available, read our step-by-step guide to learn how to form a Pennsylvania LLC.
While not required in Pennsylvania, an LLC operating agreement, which contains the rules for how the LLC operates, is a document worth considering, especially for multi-member LLCs.
After forming a Limited Liability Company, be sure to register for Pennsylvania business licenses and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) so the business is legal to operate.
What are the naming guidelines for a Pennsylvania LLC?
In addition to being unique, the LLC’s name must include a special designator such as Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., etc., and it may not use restricted words such as bank or insurance unless the entity is licensed to operate as such.
Can an LLC name be reserved in Pennsylvania?
If you want a name but are not ready to register the LLC, you can file a Name Reservation Form (SSCB:15-208). The name reservation will hold a name for up to 120 days.
