Pennsylvania LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in Pennsylvania is $125, which covers the filing fee for the Certificate of Organization.

However, the overall cost of establishing a Pennsylvania LLC can vary based on your business needs and preferences.

In our Pennsylvania LLC Cost guide, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved in setting up and maintaining an LLC in the state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Pennsylvania LLC Cost

Below is a summary of the main requirements and associated fees for forming a Pennsylvania LLC.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Organization	$125-$250+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$140

Pennsylvania LLC Filing Fee ($125+)

To legally establish your LLC in Pennsylvania, you will need to file the right formation document with the Department of State, which will depend on whether you are operating as a domestic or foreign LLC.

Domestic LLCs (i.e., those operating within Pennsylvania) need to file the Certificate of Organization and pay a $125 fee, whereas foreign LLCs (i.e., those operating outside of Pennsylvania) must submit a Foreign Registration Statement and pay $250 instead. 

Keep in mind that if you choose to use an LLC formation service your total cost will be slightly higher as a small service fee will be added to the state filing fee. 

This generally starts at around $30, but can be lower or higher depending on the provider you choose (and the optional features you add). 

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Pennsylvania Registered Office ($0+)

As part of your LLC’s formation process, you will need to designate a registered office or a commercial registered office provider. This entity is responsible for receiving legal, tax, and governmental documents on behalf of your LLC.

While you can designate your own address at no cost, hiring a professional service is often recommended to avoid penalties and to keep your personal address private. This is because your registered office will become publicly available after your LLC is formed. 

The cost for these services ranges significantly, but is generally between $125 and $300 per year. Some providers offer the first year free of charge if you end up forming your LLC with them. 

Pennsylvania LLC Name ($0-$140)

When forming your Pennsylvania LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that is available for use. While registering a name itself has no cost, there are two potential costs that can be related with naming your LLC.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve selected a name but aren’t ready to form your LLC immediately, you can reserve it for future use by filing a Name Reservation/Transfer of Reservation form with the Pennsylvania Department of State, either by mail or online.

The reservation costs $70 and holds your chosen name for 120 days. If you need more time, you can renew the reservation by paying another $70.

Note: We recommend conducting a Business Search on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website to ensure your desired name is available before reserving it.

You should also conduct a quick domain search to check that your name’s corresponding domain is available, as you’ll need this for your business’s website. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate your business under a different name than its legal name, you’ll need to register a DBA name, known as a "fictitious name" in Pennsylvania. Registering a DBA requires submitting a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Department of State, which costs $70.

Keep in mind that operating under a fictitious name without registration can result in penalties, including a $500 fine and restrictions on legal actions under that name.

Optional Pennsylvania LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard fees, there may be additional costs you’ll need to consider depending on your business’s unique needs. 

Expedited Pennsylvania LLC Filing

The Pennsylvania Department of State usually processes filings within 15 business days. However, if you need faster processing, you can opt for one of the following expedited services:

• Same day processing: $100 (must be received by 10:00 a.m.)
• Three-hour processing: $300 (must be received by 2:00 p.m.)
• One-hour processing: $1,000 (must be received by 4:00 p.m.)

In order to request expedited processing, you’ll need to fill out an Expedited Service Request form, which you’ll be able to collect in-person at the Bureau's reception room. If filing online, you’ll simply be able to do this alongside the filing of your formation documents. 

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and activities, you may need local business licenses. For example, a general business license in Allentown costs $35, while in Altoona, it’s $100.

If you need help determining the local body that you need to contact for your business licenses, you can have a look at the Pennsylvania Municipal Statistics Contact Search page. 

Certificate of Subsistence

A Certificate of Subsistence verifies that your LLC is active and in good standing with the state. 

This document may be required for opening a business bank account or by lenders. You can obtain this certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of State via the PennFile system for a $40 fee.

Pennsylvania LLC Operating Agreement 

Although not required by law, it is advisable for Pennsylvania LLCs to have an operating agreement. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the LLC members or managers and helps prevent disputes.

You can draft this document yourself at no cost, or you can hire an online service or business attorney to create one for you. 

Note: This document does not need to be filed with the state.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Pennsylvania LLC

In addition to the formation costs, there are ongoing expenses for maintaining an LLC in Pennsylvania. 

We’ve explored the two most common ones below.

Annual Report

Starting in 2025, all Pennsylvania LLCs must file an annual report with the Department of State by September 30 each year, with a $7 filing fee. 

This is a change from the previous decennial report requirement.

If an LLC fails to file within six months of the due date, it may be administratively dissolved.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost of this service varies, typically ranging from $125 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the features you select. 

While not mandatory, using a professional registered agent service is often recommended for new business owners as it offers increased privacy and flexibility. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Pennsylvania Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Pennsylvania LLC vs Other States

While Pennsylvania is not the cheapest state for forming an LLC, it’s a cost-effective option compared to several other states — especially when it comes to the $7 annual cost.

Regardless, you should keep in mind that the best state to form your LLC in is — generally speaking — where you will be operating from. 

This is because this will ensure that you do not end up having to pay registration and filing fees in more than one state.