Key Takeaways

  • The Pennsylvania Secretary of State business search (through the Department of State, Corporations Bureau) allows users to look up corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other entities.
  • The search tool helps verify business name availability, check registration details, and access filed documents.
  • Common searchable details include business name, entity number, officer/agent names, filing history, status, and registered address.
  • Conducting a Pennsylvania entity search is an essential step before forming an LLC or corporation to avoid rejection for duplicate or similar names.
  • The search tool can be used for due diligence, compliance checks, and retrieving certificates and other filings.
  • Filing fees and name reservation rules apply, with the LLC filing fee currently set at $125 in Pennsylvania.

What Is a Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Search?

A Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Search can be performed through the Business Division of the Secretary of State for Pennsylvania. The Business Division of the Secretary of State for Pennsylvania handles the management and establishment of the registry for every business entity that is registered within the state.

On the registry, information includes all businesses operating in the state. This includes Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, and Limited Partnerships. In Pennsylvania, the Secretary of State also creates new policies for business entities and corporations. This role also must watch over all commercial activity occurring within the state.

In the database, information listed includes the expiration date of the license, the mailing address of the business, any business specification, and other information that would be pertinent to a citizen. It is easiest and most efficient for a concerned citizen to find information within the business database through the search engine. If a citizen knows the name of the business, that citizen can get relevant details about it.

Why Use the Pennsylvania Business Search Tool?

The Pennsylvania Secretary of State business search is more than a way to look up companies—it serves several critical purposes. Entrepreneurs use it to confirm that a business name is available before filing formation documents. Investors and consumers rely on it to check the legitimacy and standing of companies. Attorneys and business owners often review filings to ensure compliance with state requirements. The search tool is also useful for finding registered agents, reviewing annual reports, and ordering official documents such as Certificates of Good Standing.

Information on Pennsylvania Corporation Search

In Pennsylvania, the Secretary of State is also known as the Secretary of Commonwealth. Since the Secretary of State's office was formed under the state's Constitution, the person holding that position has been elected. The current holder of the Secretary of State's office is Carol Aichele. With this role comes the management of a number of tasks.

One of the tasks the Secretary of State of Pennsylvania is responsible for is keeping the Great Seal of Pennsylvania. The Great Seal of the Pennsylvania is used to verify and authenticate government and legal documents before they go on to the Governor for signature. The Secretary of State of Pennsylvania also manages the public record and archives.

Information You Can Find in the Database

When using the Pennsylvania Secretary of State business search, users can access a wide range of information, including:

  • Entity details: Name, type (LLC, corporation, nonprofit, partnership), and entity number.
  • Status: Active, dissolved, or inactive.
  • Formation and registration dates: Including incorporation or filing date.
  • Registered agent and office: Contact information for compliance and service of process.
  • Filing history: Documents such as Articles of Incorporation, amendments, annual reports, and mergers.
  • Officer or director names: For corporations and nonprofit organizations.

Having this data available helps ensure transparency in Pennsylvania’s business environment.

Searching Pennsylvania LLC Name

Before you can form a limited liability company (LLC) in the state of Pennsylvania, the first step is performing a search of the LLC name you are interested in using to ensure it's still available. Check all current business names in the state by searching in the Pennsylvania Business Entities database.

Pennsylvania Business Name Rules

Pennsylvania law requires that each registered business name be distinguishable from existing names in the state database. Certain rules apply:

  • Restricted words: Terms like “bank,” “insurance,” or “trust” may require special approval.
  • Designators: LLCs must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company,” while corporations must use “Inc.,” “Corp.,” or “Incorporated.”
  • Prohibited names: Names suggesting illegal activity or misleading affiliations with government entities are not allowed.

If a desired name is available but you’re not ready to form your entity, Pennsylvania allows you to reserve the name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation form and paying the required fee.

How to Pennsylvania Entity Search

  • Step 1: Put in the entity ID number or business name within the search bar at https://www.corporations.pa.gov/Search/CorpSearch.
    • Filter the search by making the selection to view active businesses only or by using a different type of search in the drop-down menu.
  • Step 2: On the next page, you will find a list of all business names containing the keywords input.
    • Click on the Business Entity Name or Number to view additional details.
  • Step 3: When you click on the name to view the additional details, you will see helpful information that relates to that business.
    • During step 3, you may choose to purchase additional certified documents.

Types of Searches Available

The Pennsylvania Secretary of State offers multiple search options:

  1. Business Name Search – Search by full or partial business name to locate entities.
  2. Entity Number Search – Use the unique ID assigned by the state to quickly pull up records.
  3. Officer/Registered Agent Search – Look up businesses associated with a specific person or agent.
  4. Advanced Filters – Narrow results by active/inactive status or by business type.

These different approaches allow users to locate the exact business information they need, whether they’re performing due diligence, confirming compliance, or preparing for a new filing.

How to Use the Pennsylvania Business Entity Search Tool

Searching too specifically will lessen the results you see. In order to ensure a full list of potential matches comes up, search only part of the business name you want to use. If you were thinking about registering an LLC in Pennsylvania called "Skyline Farms LLC,” search for “Skyline Farm” as the keyword. By searching for part of the business name you want, you'll see anything similar, such as “Skyline Farmers LLC” or “Skyline Farming LLC” from the previous example. When an already registered business has a confusingly similar name, the state could reject your application.

When searching, don't look at the designator (“LLC”, “L.L.C.”, etc.). You can also disregard any punctuation in the business name, such as a comma, period, hyphen, apostrophe, etc. When performing a search, use either lowercase or uppercase letters. The Pennsylvania database ignores capital letters in a search.

Determining the Search Results

After you do the search, if you don't find any names of businesses that are similar to yours, the business name you want is ready for you to use. When the result brings the message, “No results found for search term”, the Pennsylvania LLC business name you have searched for is available and unique enough from other names.

However, if the search does show a similar or identical LLC name, you must think of a different variation or new name as what you want will not be approved. When the search includes a deceptively identical name to the name you want, your business name will likely be rejected so you will have to come up with a different name.

Ordering Pennsylvania Business Documents

If you need official records, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State allows you to order certified copies of filings and certificates directly from the search portal. Commonly requested documents include:

  • Certificate of Organization or Incorporation
  • Certificate of Good Standing
  • Copies of amendments, annual reports, or mergers

These documents are often required when applying for business loans, opening bank accounts, or registering to do business in another state. Ordering them ensures you have legally recognized proof of your entity’s standing.

Filing Fee

The non-refundable LLC Filing Fee in the state of Pennsylvania is $125.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is the Pennsylvania business search free to use?
    Yes, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State business search tool is free for the public. Fees only apply when ordering certified documents.
  2. How do I reserve a business name in Pennsylvania?
    You can file a Name Reservation form with the Pennsylvania Department of State and pay the required fee, which holds the name for 120 days.
  3. Can I search for businesses by owner or registered agent?
    Yes. The search tool allows you to look up businesses linked to specific officers or registered agents.
  4. What does “inactive” or “dissolved” mean in the search results?
    It means the business is no longer in good standing or has formally ended operations with the state.
  5. Do I need a lawyer to perform a Pennsylvania Secretary of State business search?
    No, the tool is public. However, an attorney can help ensure your chosen business name complies with state law and assist with filings.

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