Where Register Fictitous Name Pa

How to File a DBA in Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania DBA (doing business organisation as) is called a fictitious name. Pennsylvania fictitious proper name registration allows a concern to operate under a name that'south different from its legal name.

DBA registration won't protect your personal assets like forming an LLC or corporation volition. Learn why in our DBA vs LLC guide.

Or, use a professional DBA service:

MyCompanyWorks ($99 + country fee)

Swyft Filings ($99 + state fee)

A person holding a tablet displaying "your name is your brand" File a DBA.

Last Updated: 2022-03-28

Register a Fictitious Name in Pennsylvania

Registering a Pennsylvania fictitious name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Learn How to File a DBA in Pennsylvania yourself in 3 steps:

Start with a Pennsylvania Fictitious Name Search
Register Your Pennsylvania DBA
Consummate Pennsylvania Advertizement Requirements

Note: A DBA is only used for branding. Nosotros recommend forming an LLC to separate your business and personal assets.

Step one. Start with a Pennsylvania Fictitious Proper name Search

Pennsylvania fictitious names must exist unique and must also see Pennsylvania's business name requirements.

First, visit the Pennsylvania Department of State's Business Name Search website and search for your new DBA name to brand sure it isn't already in utilize.

Side by side, review the Pennsylvania naming requirements. In Pennsylvania, fictitious names should Non include:

Whatsoever business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
Any terms given to fiscal institutions, including: "depository financial institution," "banc," "banco," "banque," "banker, "trust company," "savings and loan clan," "savings depository financial institution," "credit union" or other like words.

We recommend checking if your name is bachelor as a web domain (URL). You lot might non program on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

Once yous reserve a domain proper noun for your DBA, consider setting upwardly a business phone system to help strengthen your customer service and boost credibility. We recommend Telephone.com considering of its affordable pricing and variety of useful features. Start calling with Telephone.com.

Need Aid Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need help coming upward with a DBA name, try our concern proper noun generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our complimentary logo generator.

Stride 2. Register Your Pennsylvania DBA

Your Pennsylvania fictitious name tin can be filed online or past mail with the Department of State. You lot can file online with the PENN File website or you lot can complete the Registration of Fictitious Name form.

Some important sections of the form include:

Section 2: Brief clarification of the business organisation
Section 4: Names and addresses of individuals interested in the business
Section 5: Names and addresses of entities (other than individuals) interested in the business
Department seven: Names of anyone authorized to amend or cancel the registration on behalf of the existing parties

A DBA does not offer any legal protection for your personal assets in the event that your business is sued. For more data on setting upwardly a limited liability company, visit our How to Form an LLC page and select your state.

Pick 1: File Online With the PENN File Website

File Online

- OR -

Selection 2: File the Registration of Fictitious Name by Mail or In-Person

Download Form

Cost:
$lxx Filing Fee

Mailing Address:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

Manage Your Pennsylvania Fictitious Name

Full general Questions
Call the Pennsylvania Corporation Agency: (717) 787-1057

Renew Your Fictitious Name with the State
Your Pennsylvania fictitious proper noun does not need to be renewed.

Change Your Fictitious Name
To brand changes to your fictitious name, file online or fill out the Amendment, Withdrawal, Cancellation of Fictitious Name Registration class. The fee is $70. Mail the downloadable form to the accost found below:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Agency of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
To withdraw or cancel your fictitious name, file online or make full out the Amendment, Withdrawal, Cancellation of Fictitious Name Registration form. The fee is $70. Post the downloadable grade to the address establish below:

Pennsylvania Department of Country
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722

Step three. Complete Pennsylvania Advertising Requirements

If your business lists private parties in Box 4 of their Registration of Fictitious Name form, they must publish an advertisement that states their intent to file for a new fictitious name. If your business has Non listed private parties on their registration class, yous may skip this step.

This ad must be placed in two newspapers in the canton that your business accost is located in. These newspapers must exist in general apportionment and i must be a legal paper. If your county has just i newspaper, yous but accept to publish in that one. The Department of State provides a list of recognized county publications.

In your ad, you lot must include the following:

Your fictitious name
Your business's master address
The names and addresses of any individuals listed in Box iv of your registration course
A cursory statement saying that you practical for or intend to apply for a Pennsylvania fictitious proper noun

You do non have to ship proof of advert to the state, but y'all must proceed information technology with your business records.

After Filing Your Pennsylvania DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, and so there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:

Create your Business's Website - Every concern needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and piece of cake. Check out our All-time Website Builder article to detect the tool that's best for yous.
Get your Business organization Finances in Guild - You'll need to carve up your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business banking concern account. If your business organisation has long lead times or other greenbacks flow irregularities, y'all tin can as well expect into a business concern credit card.
Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business'southward avails also need protection. Having the right business organisation insurance will ensure that you're covered if the worst happens. About businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

Need Help Filing Your Pennsylvania DBA?

Have a Professional Service File Your Pennsylvania DBA For Y'all

A professional service will handle filing your DBA on your behalf, allowing yous to focus on the other needs of your business concern.

Recommended: MyCompanyWorks ($99 + land fee)

DBA Pennsylvania FAQ

How many DBAs can I have?

Yous tin have as many DBAs every bit you tin beget to create and are able to continue runway of. Each ane comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.

Tin a DBA become an EIN or Tax ID?

DBAs aren't required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren't a business concern entity. The concern entity that the DBA is under would accept an EIN if an EIN is required.

To acquire more about EINs and when y'all need one for your business organization, read our What is an EIN guide.

Tin can a DBA go an LLC?

No. An LLC is a business organisation entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business concern.

Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, merely they are not the aforementioned: a sole proprietorship is a concern entity, therefore it can choose to go an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.

Tin a DBA have Inc. in the name?

A DBA tin only have Inc. in the proper name if the business entity the DBA is fastened to is a corporation.

How do I ready a DBA for a rental property?

Property a rental belongings in your name and with a DBA will non afford you whatever protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental belongings. In whatever instance, it is always best to consult an attorney.

When would it exist good to get a DBA versus a legal proper noun change?

Getting a DBA is ofttimes a better pick than changing your business's legal proper noun. If you desire to rebrand your visitor or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler procedure than filing for a legal name alter.

Is my DBA protected from being used in other places?

Some country-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, just this varies from land to state. Information technology is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection beyond state lines.

Useful Links For Your Pennsylvania DBA

Pennsylvania Fictitious Names
Starting a Business in Pennsylvania Beginner's Guide
Pennsylvania Fictitious Name Registration Form
What is a Sole Proprietorship?
What is an LLC?

Pennsylvania Business Resources