Ready to Start a Pennsylvania Corporation?
Forming a Pennsylvania corporation doesn’t have to be a hassle. At Pennsylvania Registered Agent, we make it fast, affordable, and done right the first time. We handle the filings, provide a real Pennsylvania business address, and give you the tools to help your business grow.
We’ve helped form thousands of corporations across the state — and we’re here to help you get started with confidence.
Let us take care of the paperwork. We’ll file your Articles of Incorporation, serve as your registered agent, and provide everything you need to launch your corporation.
Starting a Pennsylvania Corporation:
How to Start a Pennsylvania Corporation
Pennsylvania Incorporation Service
MI Corporation Business Website & Phone Service
Benefits of Forming a Corporation in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Corporation FAQs
Our Incorporation Service includes formation filing, a year of registered agent service, a FREE operating agreement and other documents, and 90 days FREE of our website & phone service (plus free website setup).
How to Start a Pennsylvania Corporation
Starting a corporation in Pennsylvania means filing the right documents and making smart decisions about your business structure.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose a Name for Your Corporation
First things first. Your corporation’s name must be unique in the state and include a corporate designator like Corporation, Incorporated, Limited, or an abbreviation like Inc. or Corp. We recommend checking name availability using the PA Department of State’s Business Name Search.
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2. Appoint a Registered Agent
Pennsylvania requires every corporation to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This agent must be available during normal business hours to receive legal and state documents on your behalf. Hire us, and we’ll serve as your reliable registered agent, protect your privacy, and upload important documents to your secure online account.
Starting a business? We’ll take care of the paperwork. Our expert team can help you launch your corporation and stay compliant year after year.
3. File the Articles of Incorporation
To form your Pennsylvania Corporation, you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The state fee is $125.
If you hire us, we’ll prepare and file this for you quickly and correctly — as part our formation service.
Prefer to file on your own? Here’s what your Articles must include:
- Corporation Name
Include your chosen name with a proper corporate ending. It must be available and not already in use by someone else. - Corporation Type
The Articles of Incorporation form allows you to register different types of corporations, including stock, nonstock, professional, benefit, cooperative, and others. Most standard for-profit businesses register as stock corporations. - Authorized Shares
Stock corporations must authorize at least one share. You’ll need to list the total number of shares your corporation is creating. - Registered Agent Information
Include the name and physical Pennsylvania address of your registered office. That can be us, even if you’re filing on your own. We’re happy to serve as your registered agent and keep your personal address off public record. - Incorporator
List the name and address of the person submitting the filing. This goes on public record, which is why many clients choose to let us file on their behalf. When we file for you, we list our info to protect your privacy. - Docketing Statement
Pennsylvania requires a Docketing Statement to be filed with your Articles. This form collects basic information from you, and if you file online, it’s included in the process. If you file by mail, you’ll need to download and include it separately.
You can file your Articles of Incorporation and Docketing Statement either online or by mail. The filing fee is $125.
By mail:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
Online:
PENN File
Forming your Corporation is Easy with Pennsylvania Registered Agent
Reduce start-up stress with our value-packed Incorporation Service.
For $149 + state fees, you get:
A year of Pennsylvania registered agent service
Speedy Corporation formation filing
Secure online account
Expert customer service
Same-day document scanning
FREE corporate bylaws + other business documents
Enrollment in Annual Statement Compliance Service
90-day FREE trial of our website & phone services
4. Submit a Docketing Statement
In Pennsylvania, you must also file a Docketing Statement when you submit your Articles of Incorporation. This form provides basic business information to the state. We’ll include and file this for you automatically when you hire us.
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5. Create Corporate Bylaws
Bylaws outline how your corporation is governed. They’re not filed with the state, but they’re essential for internal structure and compliance. We include a free bylaws template to get you started.
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6. Hold an Organizational Meeting
Your initial meeting should cover adopting bylaws, appointing officers and directors, issuing stock, and recording everything in your corporate minutes.
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7. Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS is required for taxes, opening a business bank account, and hiring employees. We’ll guide you through the process of obtaining one.
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8. Open a Business Bank Account
Once you have your EIN and formation documents, open a business bank account to keep your company’s finances separate. We provide banking resolution templates to simplify the process.
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9. File Your BOI Report
As of 2024, most corporations must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. We’ll help you understand the requirements and file it correctly.
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10. Stay in Compliance
As of January 1, 2025, Pennsylvania corporations are required to file an Annual Report. The state only required decennial reports (every ten years) prior to the change. The deadline for filing the annual report is June 30th, and we’ll send reminders to help you stay in good standing.
Why Choose Our Pennsylvania Incorporation Service?
When you hire Pennsylvania Registered Agent, you get everything you need to start your corporation — with no upsells or hidden fees.
Here’s what’s included:
Registered Agent Service
- One year registered agent service included – NOT an add-on
- Real Pennsylvania business address
- $49/year after that -no price hikes
FREE Forms
- State forms
- Corporate bylaws
- Shareholder certificates
- Meeting minutes
- Banking documents
- And more!
Compliance Support
- EIN filing help and ongoing support
- Reminders for annual reports
- Lifetime client support
Plus, Pennsylvania Business Presence Website & Phone Service
You get a 90-day FREE trial of our Pennsylvania Business Presence Website & Phone Service package with Incorporation Service. But what is Pennsylvania Business Presence?
This package gives you the ability to create professional-looking website so you can get your business online. Pennsylvania Business Presence also helps keep you organized and maintain your privacy by providing you with a business phone line and email so you can keep your personal and business communications separate (and keep customers from contacting you on your private line or email).
One huge perk of this package is that our web services team offers free, one-on-one website setup assistance. So if you’ve never made a website before, don’t worry–you’re in good hands.
Here’s what you get with Pennsylvania Business Presence:
- Domain name of your choice (ex: “YourBusinessNameHere.org”)
- Website on a pre-built, easy-to-edit template (we’ll help you set it up!)
- SSL website security to protect your website data and client information
- Up to 10 email addresses at your domain (ex: “[email protected]”)
- Virtual phone service you can access on your device with our free Android or iOS app (available in US app stores) & a number with a Pennsylvania area code
After the trial, all of these services except domain service are $9/month each. If you keep all of the services, you get a 20% discount for a total of $28.80/month. Domain service is free for FULL YEAR. Once your free year is up, you can renew your domain name at an affordable price ($25/year on average).
Benefits of Forming Your Business in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a great place to build a business. It’s home to major industries like healthcare, manufacturing, education, and technology — and it offers strong legal protections for corporations.
When you form a corporation in PA, you benefit from:
- Limited liability protection
Your personal assets are shielded from business debts and legal claims. - Flexible tax options
Elect S corporation status to avoid double taxation (or stick with default C corp structure). - Growth potential
Corporations can issue stock and attract investors — ideal for scaling. - Business continuity
Corporations exist independently of their owners, giving you long-term stability.
Whether you’re launching in Philly, Pittsburgh, or a small town in between — Pennsylvania is ready for your next big idea.
Pennsylvania Corporation FAQs
A few answers to some of the most common questions we get about forming a corporation in Pennsylvania.
How much does it cost to form a Pennsylvania Corporation?
The state filing fee is $125 for the Articles of Incorporation. There is no extra charge to file the required Docketing Statement if you submit it at the same time.
Our incorporation service is $149, which includes everything you need — plus a year of registered agent service.
What’s a docketing statement?
It’s a form required by the state that provides your corporation’s basic details, such as EIN (if available), business start date, and description of activity. We prepare and file this for you as part of your formation.
How long does it take to form a corporation in PA?
Standard processing typically takes 7–10 business days. The state also offers expedited service for an additional fee (24-hour turnaround).
Do I need to file annual reports?
Yes. Pennsylvania corporations are required to file an annual report with the Pennsylvania Department of State. This requirement went into effect on January 1, 2025. The state previously required decennial reports (every ten years).
Does my corporation need a website?
Yes, in most cases. A website gives your business credibility and helps customers find you. That’s why we include:
- A free domain for one year
- 90 days of customizable website hosting
- SSL security
- Business email and phone number
- Use of our mobile app to manage calls on the go
What if I already have a corporation but I want to do business in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve already incorporated in another state, you can register your corporation as a PA foreign corporation. This requires a different form, but once filed your foreign corporation will be registered with the state.
Our Out-of-State Registration Service includes the preparation and filing of the required forms, a year of our registered agent service, and 24/7 access to your important business documents in your online account.
Ready to skip the paperwork and get it done right?
We’ll form your Pennsylvania corporation, serve as your registered agent, and set you up for long-term success — all for just $149 + state fees.