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How to search Pennsylvania business namesSearching for Pennsylvania businesses is done through the PA.gov site. Pennsylvania Corporations and LLCs are searchable by the following criteria:
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References
Pennsylvania Corporations and Associations Title: Chapter 17 – Names
Pennsylvania Corporations and Unincorporated Associations Title: Chapter 2 – Names
What is a Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Search?
The Business Division of Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State can perform a Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Check. The Secretary of State for Pennsylvania’s Business Division manages the establishment and management of the registry for each business entity registered in the state.
The registry includes information about all businesses that are registered in the state. This includes Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partners, Limited Liability Companies and Corporations, as well as Limited Partnerships. The Secretary of State in Pennsylvania also sets policies for corporations and business entities. This position must also oversee all commercial activity within the state.
The information in the database includes the expiration date, the mailing address, and any other details that could be of use to a citizen. The search engine makes it easy and efficient for concerned citizens to locate information in the business database. A citizen who knows the name and address of the business can find relevant information about it.
Search for Pennsylvania Corporations
The Secretary of State in Pennsylvania is also known by the title Secretary of Commonwealth. The Secretary of State’s position was created under the state Constitution. It has been held since then. Carol Aichele is currently the Secretary of State. This role involves the management of many tasks.
The Secretary of State of Pennsylvania has the responsibility of maintaining the Great Seal of Pennsylvania. The Great Seal of Pennsylvania is used to authenticate and verify government and legal documents before they are sent to the Governor for his signature. The public record and archives are also managed by the Secretary of State of Pennsylvania.
Looking for Pennsylvania LLC Names?
To form a limited liability company (LLC), you must first search for the name of the LLC you want to use. Search in the Pennsylvania Business Entities Database to see all current business names.
How to Search for Pennsylvania Entities
Step 1
Enter the entity ID number (or business name) in the search bar
https://www.corporations.pa.gov/Search/
CorpSearch
Filter your search by selecting only to view active businesses or using a different type of search in the drop-down menu.
Step 2
The next page will contain a list all the business names that include the keywords. To view more information, click on the number or name of the business entity.
Step 3
Click on the name to see additional information. This will bring up helpful information about that business. You can choose to buy additional certified documents during step 3.
How to use the Pennsylvania Business Entity Search tool
You will see fewer results if you search too narrowly. To ensure you get a complete list of possible matches, limit your search to the part of the business name that you are interested in. The state may reject your application if a registered business already has confusingly similar names.
When you search, don’t focus on the designation (“LLC”, L.L.C., etc.). Any punctuation within the business name can be ignored, including commas, periods, hyphens, apostrophes, and hyphens. You can use either lowercase letters or uppercase letters when performing a search. Searches in Pennsylvania are not allowed to use capital letters.
How to determine the search results
If you don’t find any businesses similar to yours after you have searched, the business name you want is available for you. The result will show the message “No results for your search term,” and the Pennsylvania LLC name of the business you searched for is still available. It’s unique enough to be different from other names.
If the search results show an identical or similar LLC name, it is important to think of a new variation or a new name. Otherwise, your request will not be approved. If the search results include a name that is similar or identical to what you are looking for, your business name will be rejected. You will need to find a new name.
Filing Fee
The $125 non-refundable LLC Filing fee in Pennsylvania is $125
Pennsylvania LLC Name Search FAQ
How can I verify if an LLC is registered in Pennsylvania?
To check if your business name appears, you can use the Pennsylvania Business Entity Search Tool.
Do I have to name my LLC after me?
Although there is no prohibition against naming your LLC after yourself (most experts recommend against it).
An advantage of an LLC is that you can choose a different business name, which can make your business sound more professional.
What words are prohibited in a Pennsylvania LLC?
It is not possible to include words in business names that suggest that the company is a bank or financial institution, or that it is affiliated with a local or state government agency.
You may also need to get approval from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs or the Department of Education.
What is a brand?
A brand name is a name that a company gives to a product line or product. It can be the exact same as the company name, or something else.
Do I need to include LLC in the name?
Yes.
What do I need to do to renew my Pennsylvania business name?
Pennsylvania does not require LLCs to renew their names.
Is it possible for my business name to be different from the Pennsylvania LLC name?
Some companies prefer to operate under a different name than their legal name. You can call this a “doing business as” (DBA) or a fictitious Pennsylvania name.
LLC fictitious names can be filed with the Department of State in Pennsylvania.
Business808, a renowned consulting organization that aids startups in scaling and growing, is led by Andy Brooks as Editor-in-Chief.
Andy has over 12 years of consulting experience and is a pro at creating and managing profitable businesses. He has experience working with several LLCs and Registered Agent services and has a degree in business management. He has assisted clients in achieving their objectives.
In addition to writing for Business808, Andy is a well-known author and speaker, and an active contributor to several online business publications, imparting his knowledge on how to grow an LLC.