Register a Business

Learn about forming and registering your business online, and how to complete other types of business filings.

Overview

Register your business and file other types of business-related forms quickly and easily using our online Business Filing Services site.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations (BCCO) makes an array of forms available in its Business Filing Services portal to help you find and file your necessary documents.

Filing online is the easiest, simplest way to get your documents processed in a timely manner.

Business registration forms

• Register a for-profit entity
• Register a nonprofit entity
• Reserve a business name

Other business-related forms

• Register a trademark, service mark, or insignia
• Amend or convert a current business entity
• Register a foreign association to do business in PA

Online Filing Help Guides

• Get an overview
• Amend or close an existing business
• Request a business certificate or copy
• Create a PIN
• Create a customer deposit account

For Diverse Business Owners

Discover resources for woman-owned, veteran-owned, or other diverse small business owners in Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive hard copies of my completed forms in the mail if I file through the Business Filing Services (BFS) site?

No. You will be able to print copies yourself from your BFS account.

How do I find out if another entity is using the business name I want to register?

Am I required to have a Pennsylvania address to register a business in the Commonwealth?

Yes, every domestic and foreign company must have a registered office address, which is a street address in Pennsylvania where you can receive mail (P.O. boxes are not permitted). If your company has no store front operations associated with a street mailing address, it may use the services of a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP).

The only filing types not required to have a Pennsylvania address are trademarks and fictitious names.

Can the Department of State give me advice on what kind of business organization I should choose when registering my company?

No, the Department cannot offer advice to filers about their choice of business organization. It strongly recommends that entrepreneurs consult with legal and financial advisers before submitting any filings to the Department.

Contact Us

Connect with our Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations by phone, by email, or in person.

Our Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. You can call or visit the bureau in person during those hours.

You can email us with general questions about business association filings at RA-CORPS@pa.gov, about certifications RA-STUCC_CERTS@pa.gov, and about Uniform Commercial Code filings RA-STUCC_CERTS@pa.gov.

To submit registration forms or to refile rejected documents, go to the Business Filing Services portal.

Call Us

717-787-1057 888-659-9962 (toll free)

Visit Us

North Office Building 401 North Street Room 206 Harrisburg, PA 17120