Run by the Department of State, Bureau of Corporations. It covers corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs.
Pennsylvania Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The Pennsylvania Department of State keeps business records in its filing portal, free to search. Pennsylvania also recently changed its rules: starting in 2025, most companies must file a new annual report, replacing the old once-a-decade filing.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Pennsylvania
What the Pennsylvania Business Search Covers
Each record lists the entity number, status, formation date, registered office, officers, and complete filing history.
Searching is free; filing an annual report needs no PIN.
How to Search by Business Name
-
1
Open the Pennsylvania business search
Go to the Department of State filing portal at file.dos.pa.gov and open Business Search, or use the direct link below. Searching is free.
-
2
Search by company name
Enter the business name. Start broad with part of the name and narrow from the results.
-
3
Read the results
Results show matching entities with their status. Click a name to open its detailed record.
-
4
Review the entity record
The record shows the formation date, current status, registered office, officers, and complete filing history.
-
5
File the annual report
Click the Annual Report icon next to the entity. No PIN is required — complete the form online and pay by card.
Ready to try it? Open the official business search and run your query.
Search Pennsylvania businesses ↗All the Ways to Search Pennsylvania Records
Business Name
Search by company name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Entity Number
Identify the right record by its Pennsylvania entity number.
Open this search ↗Registered Office
Pennsylvania uses a registered office (not an agent); it appears on each record.
Open this search ↗Filing History
From a record, review the entity's complete filing history.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by company name at the file.dos.pa.gov portal.
- Click an entity name to open its detailed record and filing history.
- Pennsylvania uses a registered office address rather than a registered agent.
- Searching is free; filing an annual report needs no PIN.
- The Department mails a postcard reminder to the registered office before the deadline.
- Beginning 2025, most entities file an annual report ($7; $0 for nonprofits), replacing the old decennial report.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Entity Number | The number the Department of State assigned to the entity. |
| Business Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active or in another condition. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Business Corporation, LP, or LLP. |
| Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in Pennsylvania or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Office | Pennsylvania's equivalent of a registered agent address — where official mail is sent. |
| Officers | The officers or governors associated with the entity. |
| Filing History | A complete list of the entity's filings, including annual reports and amendments. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
-
1
Open the entity’s record
Search by company name and open the detailed record.
-
2
Open the filing history
Review the entity’s complete filing history with the Department of State.
-
3
View or order documents
View filings directly, and order certified copies or a subsistence certificate for a fee.
-
4
File the annual report (no PIN)
Click the Annual Report icon next to the entity, complete the form, and pay online — no PIN needed.
New annual report (2025): Pennsylvania now requires most entities to file an annual report ($7; $0 for nonprofits), replacing the old decennial filing. The Department mails a postcard reminder to the registered office before the deadline.
Pennsylvania Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Pennsylvania business search free?
Yes. The Business Search on the file.dos.pa.gov portal is free.
What is a "registered office"?
Pennsylvania uses a registered office address instead of a registered agent. Businesses may use a Commercial Registered Office Provider to satisfy it.
Does Pennsylvania require an annual report?
Yes, beginning in 2025. Most domestic and foreign filing associations file an annual report ($7 for most entities, $0 for nonprofits). This replaced the old decennial (every ten years) report.
Do I need a PIN to file the annual report?
No. You can file the annual report from the business search without PIN access and pay online.
Will I get a reminder?
Yes. The Department of State mails a postcard to the registered office at least two months before the deadline.
A name is available in Pennsylvania. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.