The first step in filling out the Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization is to pick a business name.

There are a couple of requirements when choosing a Pennsylvania LLC name.
1. The name of your LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity already registered with the state of Pennsylvania unless you receive consent from the current registrant. You can verify name availability by doing a Pennsylvania LLC name search with the Pennsylvania Department of State to be sure the LLC name is available.

2. There are restricted names such as “Bank,” “Credit Union,” “Insurance,” “College,” “Engineer,” “Surveyor,” “Architect,” “Psychology,” “Social work,” and others unless approval is granted from the state.

3. The name of the LLC must include one of the following entity identifiers at the end of the business name:
– Limited Liability Company
– Limited Liability Co.
– Ltd. Liability Company
– Ltd. Liability Co.
– Company
– Co.
– LLC
– L.L.C.
– Limited
– LTD
– Ltd.

You are first asked whether there is a previously filed reserved name that will be used for the filing. It is optional to reserve an LLC name. If a name had been reserved, choose “Yes,” otherwise click “No” and enter the LLC name you want including the identifier.

Next, if the name is unique, you will select that consent is not required, however if the name is in use, you will have to get consent. To get consent:
– Contact the current registration and get permission to use the name.
– Have the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue certify that the business is out of existence or has not filed tax returns for the last three years.
– If the business is a Foreign LLC (one that was initially formed in another state) and is no longer in business, obtain certification that they have abandoned the name.

While you cannot back-date the formation date of your LLC, you can choose to delay the start date of the LLC if you want to have the paperwork finished, but aren’t ready to start the business or if the filing is being done close to the end of a calendar year, and the business isn’t going to have any activity until the start of the next year.  By delaying the start date until the following year, you can eliminate the need to file a partial-year business tax return.

If you want the LLC to start immediately, choose “when filed with the Department of State.”

If you want the LLC to start later, select the box that says “on a future specific date” and enter a future date. 

You have the option to opt-in to email notifications from the Department of State. I would recommend doing this in order to get timely information, especially with the LLC renewal that only happens every 10 years.

In step 4, we are asked to provide information about the activities of the business. A general purpose statement isn’t allowed, so be sure to provide some information about the primary activities of the business.

Related: How to answer the business purpose statement

Enter the name and address of the individual who will be responsible for filing the initial tax report. Most people who form their LLC list themselves as the responsible party.

This is an optional step. You normally don’t want to register for an EIN until after the LLC has been approved.

If you already have an EIN, enter it here.

This is another optional field that is usually best to skip unless you have already planned this. Most people choose to have their LLC tax year end on December 31st, but some will choose a different date.

Every LLC in Pennsylvania is required to have a registered office address. The registered office (sometimes referred to as a registered agent) may be, but is not required to be, the actual place of the business to the physical street address or the main location where the business records are kept. A physical address in Pennsylvania must be used, as P.O. Boxes are not acceptable.

Related: What are the requirements for a registered office in Pennsylvania?

Enter either a registered office address in the state of Pennsylvania or the name of a commercial registered office provider and the county of venue.

Include the name(s) of the initial organizers of the LLC (people helping with the formation of the entity). This is often the owner, but it can be anyone helping with setting up the LLC.  

If there are additional governance rules that should be applied to the LLC, upload those in this section (not common).

If the LLC is owned by a veteran or reservist, the state will waive your filing fees. Proof of status will be needed (DD-214, NGB-22, or valid Department of Defense military ID).

Next, you can choose the filing speed. Standard processing typically takes 7-10 business days or expedited processing.

Next, review the submitted information to ensure it is correct. If it is, click on the next screen.

Last, sign the document and pay the state filing fee to submit the Certificate of Organization to the Pennsylvania Department of State!