FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in Pennsylvania
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in Pennsylvania. The name search sits with Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
Pennsylvania uses a registered office, not a registered agent. The office may be the address of a Commercial Registered Office Provider or a physical Pennsylvania address. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization (Form DSCB:15-8821)
File with Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations and pay the state formation fee of $125. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Annual Report (Form DSCB:15-146) deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
State fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Certificate of Organization (Form DSCB:15-8821) | $125 |
| Annual Report (Form DSCB:15-146), each year | $7 |
| Annual state fee | None, $0 |
| Paid to the state, year one | $125 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $7 |
Registered agent rules in Pennsylvania
Who may serve: Pennsylvania uses a registered office, not a registered agent. The office may be the address of a Commercial Registered Office Provider or a physical Pennsylvania address.
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. A registered office with a physical Pennsylvania street address must be maintained, or a Commercial Registered Office Provider must be named.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for Pennsylvania.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Annual Report (Form DSCB:15-146). Fee: $7 each filing, each year.
Rule: File between January 1 and September 30 each year. The annual report requirement began in 2025, replacing the former decennial filing. No report is due in the calendar year of formation; the first report is due the following year. The next due dates on that fixed schedule are 2027-09-30, 2028-09-30, 2029-09-30.
Late fee: No monetary late fee stated by the Department of State. Beginning with reports due in 2027, failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution six months after the due date.
What you pay the state every year after
You pay the state $7 every year after year one in Pennsylvania, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The formation service chart below adds each service route to these state fees.
What it costs to hand it over to a formation service company in Pennsylvania
Do not want the headache of filing all the paperwork yourself, or the worry of missing a deadline and falling out of good standing? No problem. Plenty of formation service companies are willing to take the whole burden off your hands. They file the form with the state, act as your registered agent, and remind you before every yearly filing comes due. This chart prices each one in Pennsylvania, with the state fees already added in, so you can see the full cost of handing it over.
| Formation service company | Plan | Registered agent | State filing fees, first year | State fees, every year after | Total, first year | Total, every year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | Basic, $0 | $0 in year one, then $149 a year | $125 | $7 | $125 | $156 |
| Northwest Registered Agent (our pick) | LLC formation, $39 | $0 in year one, then $125 a year | $125 | $7 | $164 | $132 |
| ZenBusiness | Starter, $0 | $199 a year | $125 | $7 | $324 | $206 |
| Tailor Brands | Lite, $0 | $199 a year | $125 | $7 | $324 | $206 |
| LegalZoom | Basic, $0 | $249 a year | $125 | $7 | $374 | $256 |
The plan price is printed with the plan name. The agent column is what that formation service company charges to act as your registered agent. In Pennsylvania, the state column is the Certificate of Organization fee. Each total adds the state column for that year, the plan price, and the agent charge for that year. No add ons are included. Extras like an operating agreement cost more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Pennsylvania?
The state filing fee in Pennsylvania is $125 for the Certificate of Organization (Form DSCB:15-8821). What you pay the state in year one comes to $125, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in Pennsylvania cost each year?
The recurring state charges in Pennsylvania are: Annual Report (Form DSCB:15-146) $7 each year. After year one, you pay the state $7 a year.
Do I need a registered agent in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania uses a registered office, not a registered agent. The office may be the address of a Commercial Registered Office Provider or a physical Pennsylvania address. A registered office with a physical Pennsylvania street address must be maintained, or a Commercial Registered Office Provider must be named.
When is the Annual Report (Form DSCB:15-146) due in Pennsylvania?
File between January 1 and September 30 each year. The annual report requirement began in 2025, replacing the former decennial filing. No report is due in the calendar year of formation; the first report is due the following year. The fee is $7 each filing.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/business/types-of-filings-and-registrations/annual-reports. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.