Business Guide LLC in PA

7/28/2019 Business Guide LLC in PA

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A Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania

A Guide

To Business RegistrationIn Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of State

Corporation Bureau

Tom Corbett

Governor

Carol Aichele

Secretary of the Commonwealth

www.dos.state.pa.us


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Pennsylvania Department of State - Corporation Bureau

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Ofce of the Governor

Harrisburg

DearFellowPennsylvanan:

Helpngbusnessthrve across Pennsylvana,from thelargest corporatons to local

entrepreneurs,soneofmytopprortes.Iamcommttedtoensurngthestatedoeswhattcantomaketeaserfornewbusnessestoenterthemarketplaceandforexstngbusnessestoadapt

andgrow.

TheDepartmentofStateisoneoftherstplacesnewcompaniescomeforinformation

aboutstartngtherbusness.Makngthsnformatonaccessbleandtheprocesssmpleskeyto

helpingnewbusinessesgetstartedmoreefcientlysotheycanbegincreatingjobsandcontributing

tooureconomcgrowth.

Thsgudewllprovdeyouwthastartngpontforlearnngaboutbusnessregstraton

nPennsylvana.Afteryouvesuccessfullyregstered,keepthsgudeasavaluablereference

forfuturetransactonswththeDepartmentofStateasyourcompanygrows.

ThankyouforchoosngPennsylvanatobegnyournewbusnessendeavor.Welook

forwardtoworkngwthyoutoprovdetheservceandassstanceyouneedtogetestablshed

andacheveyourgoals.

Sncerely,

TomCorbett Governor


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A Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of State

Harrisburg

DearFellowPennsylvanan:

TheDepartmentofStatespleasedtoprovdeyouwthAGudetoBusnessRegstraton

nPennsylvana.AsSecretaryoftheCommonwealth,IknowthsreferencetoolwllbeavaluablegudeasyoustarttheprocesstoestablshngyourbusnessnPennsylvana.

GovernorTomCorbettsfocusedonmakngPennsylvanastateoperatonseaslyaccessble

andbusnessfrendly.AttheDepartmentofState,weareactvelymprovngtheaccessblty

ofnformatonandprovdngassstanceforPennsylvanabusnessesandentrepreneurs.The

DepartmentsCorporatonsBureaustandsreadytohelpnewbusnessesgetstartedandassst

exstngorganzatonstogrowandprosper.

StartngabusnessnPennsylvanaseaserthanever.TheDepartmentofStatesproud

tocontrbutetothePAOpenforBusnesswebste,aone-stopshopforcompanesseekng

accesstonewmarketplaces,onlnebusnessregstratonandotherresources.Inaddton,theCorporatonBureauoffersallbusnessregstratonformsthatarenecessaryforcompanestobe

recognzedbythestatethroughtheDepartmentofStateswebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.

TheDepartmentofStatescommttedtoprovdngaprofessonalandaccommodatng

envronmentforbusnessestonteractwththePennsylvanaCorporatonBureau.Thsgude

provdesanswerstomanyquestonsbusnessesoftenhave.

Thank youforconsderngPennsylvanaasaplacetoestablshyourbusness. Ourgoalstoprovdethebestservcepossbletohelpyourcompanyachevesuccess.

Sncerely,

CarolAchele

SecretaryoftheCommonwealth


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A Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania iii

Table of Contents

Corporation Bureau.............................................................................................................................1

Operational Hours.....................................................................................................................1

PA Open for Business..........................................................................................................................2

Corporation Bureau Disclaimer.........................................................................................................2

Other Informational Tips.........................................................................................................3

Filing Guidelines..................................................................................................................................5

Fictitious Name Registration.....................................................................................................6

Pennsylvania Prot Corporation...............................................................................................7

S Corporations...........................................................................................................................8 Domestic Nonprot Corporation...............................................................................................9

Foreign Business Corporation..................................................................................................10

Pennsylvania Limited Partnership...........................................................................................11

Foreign Limited Partnership...................................................................................................11

Foreign Name Registration.....................................................................................................12

Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company......................................................................................12

Foreign Limited Liabilty Company.........................................................................................13

Pennsylvania Limited Liability Partnership..................................................................................14

Foreign Limited Liability Partnership.....................................................................................14

Application for Registration of Mark......................................................................................15

Customer Services..............................................................................................................................17

Forms.......................................................................................................................................18

Record Search..........................................................................................................................18

Name Availibility Requirements.............................................................................................18

Name Reservation....................................................................................................................19

Photocopies and Certicates......................................................................................................19

Expedited Photocopy Procedures............................................................................................20

Preclearance of Documents......................................................................................................21

Expedited Corporate Filings (Same Day Filing).........................................................................21

Fax Service...............................................................................................................................22

Payment....................................................................................................................................23

Service of Process....................................................................................................................23

Reference.............................................................................................................................................25

Frequently Asked Questions....................................................................................................26

Schedule of Fees......................................................................................................................28

Phone Directory Resources.................................................................................................................30


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iv Pennsylvania Department of State - Corporation Bureau


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A Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania 1

Corporation Bureau Overview

TheCorporatonBureaustherepostoryfortherecordsofmorethan2.6mlloncompanes

authorizedtodobusinessintheCommonwealthofPennsylvania.Allrecordsmaintainedinthisofce

arepublcandmaybenspecteduponrequest.

Personsdesrng todobusness nPennsylvanamayhave toapplyto theSecretaryof theCommonwealthforauthoritytoconductbusiness,incorporateorleanassumedorctitiousname.

ThroughtheCorporationBureau,theSecretaryoftheCommonwealthlesdocumentsevidencing

varouskndsofbusnesstransactons.TheBureaumayassstnregstratonofbusnessesornobtanng

nformatononexstngbusnesses.

However,theBureaucannotofferlegaladvce,nordoesthaveenforcementornvestgatve

powers.TheBureaucannotofferadvceastowhetheranenttysbankrupt,actve,reputable,legtmate

orcurrentlyinoperation.Itdoesnotmaintainnancialinformation,insurancedataorstockvalues.

Thsnformatonmaybeobtanedfromtheenttytself,orfrombankruptcycourts,credtbureaus,

stockbrokersandtheBetterBusnessBureau.

TheCorporatonBureaualsoprovdessalesofnewbusnesslsts,formsCDs,bulkdataand

bulkimages.Astheofcialrecordkeeperofbusinessdocuments,theCorporationBureaucanprovide

certannformatononallregsteredbusnesses.Informatonalsocanbeacqurednperson,bymal

orfax,orthroughtheDepartmentofStatewebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.

ThestaffoftheDepartmentofStateandCorporatonBureauarecommttedtoprovdngthe

hgheststandardsofaccurate,courteous,tmelyandvaluedservcetothebusnesscommuntyand

generalpublicinallphasesoflinganddisseminationofinformationinimportantrecordsentrusted

tothercare.

Operational Hours

TheCorporatonBureausopenforbusnessfrom8:00a.m.to5:00p.m.,MondaythroughFrday.The

BureauPublcRecordsRoomhoursarefrom8:00a.m.to4:45p.m.

Documentsmaybedelvereddrectlyormaledto:

DepartmentofState

CorporatonBureau

401NorthStreet

Room206

Harrsburg,PA17120

CorporatonBureauformsmayalsobeobtanedaroundtheclock,sevendaysaweekbyloggngonto

theDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.TheBureaustelephonelnesareavalablefrom8:00

a.m.to4:45p.m.,MondaythroughFrday.

CustomerServce(717)787-1057

Fax(717)783-2244


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2 Pennsylvania Department of State - Corporation Bureau

Thenewnformatontechnologybasedeconomyhasbusnessesrethnkngtradtonalpractces

becauseofe-commerce,andtheCommonwealthofPennsylvanasdongthesame!

ThegoaloftheDepartmentofStatesCorporatonBureaustomakePennsylvanatheeasest

placeinthenationtostartabusiness.ThroughthePAOpenforBusinesswebsite,wearedoingjust

thatgvngentrepreneursaone-stopshoptostart,sustanandexpandtherbusnesses.

Thsfrcton-freeapproachtogovernmentsgearedtowardtheelmnatonofbureaucratc

redtape.InPennsylvana,cuttngredtapebegnsatwww.paopenforbusness.state.pa.us.Thsstegves

round-the-clockaccesstoformsandnformatoncrucalforndvdualsseekngtoregsterthernew

busness,expedteentryandtakeadvantageoftheCommonwealthsfavorablebusnessclmate.We

areusngthepowerofInternettechnologytoshftthefocuswheretbelongsonthecustomer.

Corporation BureauDisclaimer

TheBureaudoesnotofferlegaladvce,nordoesthavenvestgatve,enforcementorlegslatve

powers.Inquresabouttheapplcabltyornterpretatonofstatelawexceedthescopeoftsauthorty.

Foranswerstosuchquestons,consultwthanattorney.ThePennsylvanaBarAssocatonoffersa

freeattorneyreferralservce.

TheBureaudoesnotmaintaininformationconcerningthenancialstatusofacorporation.

InformatonconcernngcomplantspendngaganstbusnessesmaybeobtanedfromtheBetterBusness

Bureau,theOfceofAttorneyGeneral,orlocaldistrictattorneysofces.


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Other Information Tips

Creditratingsmaybeobtainedfromcreditbureaus.Thevalueofstock,numberorclassication

ofsharesauthorzedorssued,ordrectornformatonmaybeobtanedthroughthebusnesstself

ormaybeveriedwithastockbroker,ifthestockispubliclytraded.

SocialSecuritynumbers,ofcersaddressesandbylawsareonlyavailabledirectlyfromthebusiness

entity.Informationonsubsidiaries,divisionsorfranchisesofanentityshouldbeveriedthrough

thebusness.

GeneraltaxnformatonandcorporateboxnumbersmaybeobtanedfromthePennsylvana

DepartmentofRevenueat(717)787-1064orwww.revenue.state.pa.us. Specictaxquestionsmay

alsobedrectedtotheDepartmentofRevenueoranaccountant.Ifneedngassstancetolocatea

taxprofessional,thePennsylvaniaInstituteofCertiedPublicAccountants(PICPA)offersafree

referralservce.

BusnessesarendexedntheBureaudatabasebyenttyname.Theyarenotndexedbybusness

type,taxorfederalEmployerIdenticationNumber(EIN),NorthAmericanIndustrialClassication

Code(NAICS),purposeorbusnessaddress.TheCorporatonBureaussuesanenttynumberwhch

servesonlyasaninternallenumber.AnEINmaybeobtainedbycontactingtheU.S.Department

oftheTreasury,InternalRevenueServceat(800)829-1040,orontswebsteatwww.rs.gov.

ForothernformatonaboutstartngorexpandngabusnessnPennsylvana,contacttheDepartment

ofCommuntyandEconomcDevelopment,SmallBusnessResourceCenterat(717)783-5700

or(800)280-3801,orvsttswebsteatwww.dced.state.pa.usorvstthePAOpenforBusness

websteatwww.paopenforbusness.state.pa.us.


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Filing

Guidelines


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Filing Guidelines

Afterdecidingtoestablishabusiness,therstitemtoconsideristhetypeofbusinessorganizationto

use.Legalandtaxconsiderationswillhelptodeterminethenalchoice,aswellaspersonalneedsand

theneedsofthepartcularbusness.Thereareadvantagesanddsadvantagestoeachofthelegalforms

ofbusnesstypes.Entrepreneursshouldexamneallofthecharacterstcsandconsultaknowledgeable

legalprofessonalwhenconsderngtheformatonofabusness.

ManytypesofbusinessproceedingsmustbecarriedoutbylingdocumentswiththeOfceofthe

SecretaryoftheCommonwealth.Thesedocumentsmustcontainspecicinformationtocomplywith

statutoryrequrements.

TheCorporationBureaurequiresthefollowingguidelinesbemetinordertoproperlyandefciently

processdocuments:

DocumentsmustbesubmttedonBureauformsoron81/2"x11"paper.

Documentsshouldbetypedorprntednblackorbluenkandbelegble.

Legblefaxcopesorcopesofdocumentsareacceptable. Bureauformsdonotrequrenotarzaton.

AllentitieslingwiththeBureaurequireaPennsylvaniaaddress,withtheexceptionofctitious

namesandtrademarks.Apostofceboxaloneisnotacceptable.

Fictitious Name Registration

Actitiousnameisanyassumedname,styleordesignationotherthanthepropernameoftheentity

usngsuchname.

TheuseofctitiousnamesisnowgovernedbytheFictitiousNamesActof1982,(54Pa.C.S.Section

301etseq.),whichrepealedpriorlawsonthesubject.Accordingly,ctitiousnamesnolongerneed

tobeledatthecountyseat.Anyentityorentities(includingindividuals,corporations,partnerships

orothergroups)whichconduct(s)anybusinessinPennsylvaniaunderanassumedorctitiousname

shallregistersuchnamebylinganapplicationforregistrationofctitiousname.

Thesurnameofapersonstandngaloneorcoupledwthwordsthatdescrbethebusnesssnot

actitiousbusinessname.Theinclusionofwordsthatsuggestadditionalowners,suchasCompany,

&Company,&Sons,&Associates,makesthenameanassumedorctitiousname.Please note:For

partnerships,thelastnameofallpartnersmustbelistedorthectitiousnameruleapplies.


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How to Register a Fictitious Name

Toregisteranassumedorctitiousbusinessname,theFictitiousNameRegistrationformmustbeled.

Thsapplcatonmustcontanthefollowngnformaton:

Thectitiousname.Itmaynotcontainacorporatedesignatorsuchascorporationorlimited,

unlesstheownerisacorporation.Theuseofthewordcompanyorco.inactitiousnameby

asolepropretorshporacorporatonspermssble.

Abrefstatementconcernngthecharacterornatureofthebusnessactvtytobetransacted.

Theaddress,includingnumberandstreet,ifany,oftheprincipalplaceofbusiness.Apostofce

boxalonesnotacceptable.

Thenameandaddressofeachndvdualorenttynterestednthebusness.

Filing under the ctitious names act does not create any exclusive or other right to the use of the

name.

Advertising Requirements

Whenactitiousnameisusedbyanindividual,associationorotherentity,whichincludesanindividual

party,theuserofthenamemustadvertisethatithasledorintendstoleanapplicationforregistration

ofthectitiousname.Theadvertisementshouldbeplacedinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountynwhchthebusnesswllbelocatedandonenalegalpublcatonornewspapernthatsame

county.ThenformatonrequredfortheadvertsementsssetforthnthePennsylvanastatutes.A

countybycountylstoflegalpublcatonsmaybevewedontheDepartmentswebsteat

www.dos.state.pa.us.Theproperlegalpublicationcanalsobeidentiedbycontactingthecounty

courthouseorcountybarassociationinthecountywheretheprincipalofceislocated.TheCorporation

Bureaucanalsoassst.EvdenceoftheseadvertsementssnotrequredtobesenttotheCorporaton

Bureau,butshouldbekeptwththebusnessrecords.

Pennsylvania Prot Corporation

ThesearePennsylvaniacorporationsorganizedforprot.

Themostcomplexformofbusnessorganzaton,acorporatonsalegalenttywhchhastsown

exstenceandscreatedunderstatestatutorylaw.Thecorporatonownsthebusness,andnturn,the

corporatonmayssuesharesofstocktondvdualsnvestngnthecorporaton.Busnessactvtes

arerestrctedtothosedesgnatedntheArtclesofIncorporatonwhchoutlnethestructureofanentty.

Artclesarenotrequredbylawtobepreparedbyanattorney.However,becauseofcomplexlegal

ssues,ncludngtaxconsderatons,tsadvsabletoseeklegalcounseltoassurethatallmportantssuesreceveconsderaton.

ToformaprotcorporationinPennsylvania,pleaseletheArticlesofIncorporationform,accompanied

byaDocketngStatementform,wththeCorporatonBureau.Please note:Theapplcatonmustmeet

thefollowngcrtera:

Theapplcatonmustbesgnedbyallncorporatorslstedalongwththeraddresses.Oneormore

personsorcorporatonsmayactasncorporators.Incorporatorsarenotrequredtobedrectors,


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ofcers,shareholdersoremployeesofthecorporation.

Thecorporatenamemustbeavalableforuse.

Theinitialregisteredofceaddressrequiresstreetandnumber,ifany.Apostofceboxaloneis

notacceptable.ACommercialRegisteredOfceProviders(CROP)addressisacceptable.Under

Pennsylvanialaw,(15P.S.Sec.109),entitiesrequiredtoprovidearegisteredofceaddressinany

documentledintheDepartmentofStatemayenterintoacontractfortheservicesofaCROP,may

lstthenameoftheCROPnleuofprovdngaregsteredaddress.Thsoptonsalsoavalable

foranycorporatonorassocatonthatdoesnothaveaphyscallocatonormalngaddressn

Pennsylvana.LstngaCROPwthouthavngenteredntoacontracttoacquretsservcescould

subjectalertocivilandcriminalpenalties.Thelistofallproviderswhohaveledisavailable

fromtheCorporatonBureauormaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.

OnlyassociationsonthelistcanbenamedasaCommercialRegisteredOfceProvider.

StatuteunderwhchtsncorporatedaretheprovsonsoftheBusnessCorporatonLawof

1988.

Statementoftheperoddurngwhchthecorporatonshallcontnueexstence,fnotperpetual.

Thenumberofshareswhchthecorporatonhastossue,orthatthecorporatonsorganzedunder

anonstockbass.


PublicationofeithertheintenttoleortheactuallingofArticlesofIncorporationmustbemadein

twonewspapersofgeneralcirculation,includingalegaljournal,ifpossible.A countybycountylst

oflegalpublcatonsmaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.Proofsofthe

advertisingarenotrequiredtobesenttotheCorporationBureau,butshouldbeledwiththeminutesof

thecorporaton.Theadvertsementsmustcontanthenameoftheproposedcorporatonandastatement

thatthecorporatonstobe,orhasbeen,organzedundertheprovsonsoftheBCLof1988.

S Corporations

AnSCorporatonsa closely-held corporatonwhchhaselected a taxatonstatuswhchpermts

shareholderstopaytaxesoncorporatenetncomepersonallyasftwereapartnershp.SCorporaton

statusslmtedtocorporatonsthathavealmtednumberofshareholders.AnSCorporatonsformed

inthesamemannerasaprotcorporation,bylingtheArticlesofIncorporationform,accompanied

by aDocketng Statement form,wth theCorporatonBureau. Please see the prevous sectonon

PennsylvaniaProtCorporationformoreinformationonlingandadvertisingrequirements.

EffectvefortaxyearsbegnnngonorafterJanuary1,2006,allfederalSubchapterSCorporatons

areautomatcallyPennsylvanaSCorporatons.AnyfederalSubchapterSCorporatonthatwshesnottobeaPennsylvaniaSCorporationmaydosobylinganElectionNottobeTaxedasa

PennsylvanaSCorporaton,REV-976,onorbeforetheduedate,orextendedduedate,ofthereport

fortherstyearforwhichtheelectionistobeineffect.

FormoreonelectngPennsylvanaSubchapterSstatusortodownloadtheREV-976form,please

vstthePennsylvanaDepartmentofRevenuewebsteatwww.revenue.state.pa.us.


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Pennsylvania Nonprot Corporation

Nonprotcorporationsarethosecorporationswhosemembersorshareholdersmaynotreceiveanyof

thepecuniaryprotsofthecorporation.

ToformanonprotcorporationinPennsylvania,theArticlesofIncorporationformaccompaniedby

aDocketingStatementformshouldbeledwiththeCorporationBureau.Please note:Artclesof

Incorporatonmustmeetthefollowngcrtera:

Allncorporators,lstedwththeraddresses,mustsgntheapplcaton.Oneormorepersonsor

corporationsmayactasincorporators.Incorporatorsneednotbemembers,directors,ofcers,

shareholdersoremployeesofthecorporaton.

Thecorporatonnamemustbeavalableforuse.





lstthenameoftheCROPnleuofprovdngaregsteredaddress.Thsoptonsalsoavalableforanycorporatonorassocatonthatdoesnothaveaphyscallocatonormalngaddressn





Thepurposeofthecorporationmustbestated.Anonprotcorporationmaybeformedforany

purposenotinconsistentwithitsstatus.Thecorporationmustbeabletofulllitspurposewithout

nancialbenettothemembers,exceptthroughsalariesandexpenses.

Astatementshouldbencludedthatthecorporatonsonewhchdoesnotcontemplatepecunary

gainorprot,incidentalorotherwise.

Iforganzedonastockbass,tshouldlsttheaggregatenumberofsharesandparvalue,fany,orforganzedonanonstockbasstshouldalsobestated.

Ifnomembers,tshouldncludeastatementtothateffect.


PublicationofeithertheintenttoleorthelingofArticlesofIncorporationmustbemadeintwo

newspapersofgeneralcirculation,onealegaljournal,ifpossible.Acountybycountylstoflegal

publcatonsmaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.Proofsofpublcaton

oftheadvertisingshouldnotbesubmittedtotheCorporationBureau,butshouldbeledwiththe

mnutesofthecorporaton.

Nonprotcorporationsthatsolicitfunds fromcitizensof theCommonwealthofPennsylvaniamust

regsterwththeDepartmentofState,BureauofChartableOrganzatons,401NorthStreet,Room

207,Harrsburg,PA17120,(717)783-1720or(800)732-0999wthnPennsylvana.


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Foreign Business Corporation

AForeignBusinessCorporationisdenedasacorporationthatispresentlyincorporatedunderany

lawsotherthanthoseofPennsylvana.

ForegnCorporatonsmayregstertodobusnessnPennsylvana.Thesemaybencorporatedona

forprotbasisunderanylawsotherthanthoseinPennsylvania.Theymayalsobeincorporatedasnonprotbusinesses,(whereintheirpurposedoesnotinvolvepecuniaryprot,incidentalorotherwise)

ncorporatedunderanylawotherthanthoseofPennsylvana.

Generally,foreigncorporationsmaynotdobusinessinPennsylvaniawithoutreceivingaCerticateof

AuthorityfromtheSecretaryoftheCommonwealth.ToreceiveaCerticateofAuthority,aforeign

corporationmustletheCerticateofAuthorityform,accompaniedbyaDocketingStatementform,

andmeetthefollowngcrtera:

Thecorporatonnamemustbeavalableforuse.

Onedulyauthorizedofcerofthecorporationmustsignthedocument.

Itmustlstthestateorcountryofncorporaton. Theinitialregisteredofceaddressrequiresstreetandnumber,ifany.Apostofceboxaloneis










TheaddressoftheproposedregisteredofceintheCommonwealthofPennsylvaniamustinclude

streetandnumber,ifany;apostofceboxisnotacceptable.

Astatementthatthepurposeofthecorporationinvolvespecuniaryprot,incidentalorotherwise,

totsshareholders.

Iftheforeigncorporationisqualifyingwithanonprotstatus,itshouldstatethatthepurposedoes

notinvolvepecuniaryprot,incidentalorotherwise.


TheBusinessCorporationLawrequiresthatthecorporationadvertiseitsintentiontoleortheling

oftheapplicationforaCerticateofAuthority.ProofsofpublicationofsuchadvertisingshouldnotbesubmittedtotheDepartmentofState,butshouldbeledwiththeminutesofthecorporation.


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Pennsylvania Limited Partnership

APennsylvanaLmtedPartnershpsapartnershpformedbytwoormorepersonshavngoneor

moregeneralpartnersandoneormorelmtedpartners.

APennsylvaniaLimitedPartnershipisformedbylingaCerticateofLimitedPartnershipform.

Please note:TheCerticateofLimitedPartnershipmustmeetthefollowingcriteria:

TheLmtedPartnershpnamemustbeavalableforuse.









fromtheCorporatonBureauormaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.OnlyassociationsonthelistcanbenamedasaCommercialRegisteredOfceProvider.

Theformshallbeexecutedbyallgeneralpartnerswththeraddresses.Itsnotnecessarytoname

thelimitedpartnersintheCerticateofLimitedPartnership.

Foreign Limited Partnership

AForeignLimitedPartnershipisdenedasalimitedpartnershipthatispresentlyregisteredunderany

lawsotherthanPennsylvana.

ThelingrequirementsforaForeignLimitedPartnershipareverysimilar.AForeignLimitedPartnership

isformedbylinganApplicationforRegistrationasaforeignlimitedpartnershipform.Please note:

TheregstratonasForegnLmtedPartnershpmustcontanthefollowngcrtera:

TheforegnlmtedpartnershpnamemustbeavalableforusenPennsylvana.






foranycorporatonorassocatonthatdoesnothaveaphyscallocatonormalngaddressnPennsylvana.LstngaCROPwthouthavngenteredntoacontracttoacquretsservcescould




Theaddressoftheregisteredofceinthejurisdictionofitsorganization.

Ifaregisteredofceisnotrequiredinitsjurisdictionoforganization,theaddressofitsprincipal

ofceshouldbeprovided.


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Thenameandbusnessaddressofeachgeneralpartner.

Theaddresswherealstofthenamesandaddressesofthelmtedpartnersandthercaptal

contrbutonssrecorded.

Foreign Name Registration

AForeignNameRegistrationistheregistrationofnonqualiedforeignbusinessornonprotcorporation

name.

Anonqualiedforeigncorporationmayregisteritsname,ifthenameisavailableforuseinPennsylvania.

TheactionregistersthenameforoneyearwithouthavingtoleaCerticateofAuthoritytoconduct

businessinPennsylvania.RegistrationmustbeledbetweenOctober1andDecember31toregister

forthecurrentyearandthenextcalendaryear.Theregstratonseffectveforallorpartofthecalendar

yearforwhichitisled.TheApplicationforRegistrationofNameformmustbesubmittedwitha

feeof$70.

Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company

ALmtedLabltyCompany(LLC)sacrossbetweenapartnershpandacorporaton.Itmaybe

consderedasa lmtedpartnershpwthoutageneralpartner. Itprovdesthelabltyprotectonof

acorporationwiththeadvantageofbeingtreatedasapartnership.ACerticateofOrganizationis

requiredtobeledwiththeCorporationBureau,accompaniedbyaDocketingStatementform,which

meetsthefollowng:

TheLmtedLabltynamemustbeavalableforuse.

Theinitialregisteredofceaddressrequiresstreetandnumber,ifany.Apostofceboxaloneisnotacceptable.ACommercialRegisteredOfceProviders(CROP)addressisacceptable.Under







fromtheCorporatonBureauormaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us


Thenameandaddress,ncludngstreetandnumber,fany,ofeachorganzermustbelsted.

Ifthecompanysarestrctedprofessonalcompanyorganzedtorenderrestrctedprofessonal

servces,tmustbenoted.

PursuanttoSecton8998(f)oftheLmtedLabltyCompanyLawof1994,15Pa.C.S.,asamendedby

Act34of2001(effectveAugust21,2001),anydomestcorforegnregsteredrestrctedprofessonal

companyinexistenceonDecember31ofanyyearisrequiredtoleaCerticateofAnnualRegistration.

ThsformandthecorrespondngannualregstratonfeemustbeledonorbeforeApril15.


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Failure to le the Annual Registration will result in additional fees, penalties and interest. A

Uniform Commercial Code lien will also be placed against the business until all fees have been

satised.

Foreign Limited Liability Company

AForeignLimitedLiabilityCompanyisdenedasalimitedliabilitycompanythatispresentlyregistered

underanylawsotherthanPennsylvanalaws.

AForeignLimitedLiabilityCompanyisformedbylingtheApplicationforRegistrationform

accompanedbyaDocketngStatementform,whchmeetsthefollowngcrtera:

TheForegnLmtedLabltyCompanynamemustbeavalableforusenPennsylvana.Ifthe

chosennamesnotavalable,tmayregsterandtransactbusnessunderanotherbusnessname.

Thenameofthejurisdictionunderthelawsofwhichthelimitedliabilitycompanywasorganized

andthedateoftsformatonmustbelsted.











Inaddton,oneofthefollowngmustbecompleted:


Ifaregisteredofceisnotrequiredinthejurisdictionoforganization,theaddressofitsprincipal


Ifthecompanysarestrctedprofessonalcompanyorganzedtorenderrestrctedprofessonal

servces,thatservcestobendcated.

PursuanttoSecton8998(f)oftheLmtedLabltyCompanyLawof1994,15Pa.C.S.,asamendedby

Act34of2001(effectveAugust21,2001),anydomestcorforegnregsteredrestrctedprofessonal

companyinexistenceonDecember31ofanyyearisrequiredtoleaCerticateofAnnualRegistration.ThsformandthecorrespondngannualregstratonfeemustbeledonorbeforeApril15.

Failure to le the Annual Registration will result in additional fees, penalties and interest. A

Uniform Commercial Code lien will also be placed against the business until all fees have been

satised.


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Pennsylvania Limited Liability Partnership

ADomesticLimitedLiabilityPartnership(LLP)isanexistinggeneralorlimitedpartnershipthatles

anelectonwththeCorporatonBureau.

ItmayclamLLPstatusontheStatementofRegstratonform.LLPstatusprovdesthegeneralpartners

withlimitationsandadditionalprotectionontheirpersonalliabilityasgeneralpartners.Thelingmust

meetthefollowngcrtera:

TheLmtedLabltyPartnershpnamemustbeavalable.








subjectalertocivilandcriminalpenalties.ThelistofallproviderswhohaveledisavailablefromtheCorporatonBureauormaybevewedontheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.


Theformmustbeexecutedbyageneralpartner.

PursuanttoSecton8221(e)oftheLmtedLabltyPartnershpLawof1994,15Pa.C.S.,asamendedby

Act34of2001(effectveAugust21,2001),anydomestcorforegnregsteredlmtedlabltypartnershp

inexistenceonDecember31ofanyyearisrequiredtoleaCerticateofAnnualRegistration .Ths

formandcorrespondngannualregstratonfeemustbeledonorbeforeApril15.

Failure to le the Annual Registration will result in additional fees, penalties and interest up to

and including termination of status as a Limited Liability Partnership. A Uniform Commercial

Code lien will also be placed against the business until all fees have been satised.

Foreign Limited Liability Partnership

AForeignLimitedLiabilityPartnershipisdenedasalimitedliabilitypartnershipthatispresently

regsteredunderanylawsotherthanPennsylvana.

ThelingrequirementsforaforeignregisteredLimitedLiabilityPartnershipareverysimilar.AForeign

LimitedLiabilityPartnershipisformedbylingtheApplicationforRegistrationform.Thepartnership

mustmeetthefollowngcrtera:

TheForegnLmtedLabltyPartnershpnamemustbeavalableforusenPennsylvana.

ThenameofthejurisdictionunderwhichtheforeignLLPwasorganizedandthedateofitsformation

nthestateoforganzaton.





20/38










Ifaregisteredofceisnotrequiredinitsjurisdictionoforganization,theaddressofitsprincipal


Thenameandbusnessaddressofeachgeneralpartner.

Ifthepartnershpsalmtedpartnershp,theaddresswherealstofthenamesandaddressesof

thelmtedpartnersandthercaptalcontrbutonssrecorded.

PursuanttoSecton8221(e)oftheLmtedLabltyPartnershpLawof1994,15Pa.C.S.,asamendedby

Act34of2001(effectveAugust21,2001),anydomestcorforegnregsteredlmtedlabltypartnershp

inexistenceonDecember31ofanyyearisrequiredtoleaCerticateofAnnualRegistration .Ths

formandcorrespondngannualregstratonfeemustbeledonorbeforeApril15.

Failure to le the Annual Registration will result in additional fees, penalties and interest up to

and including termination of status as a Limited Liability Partnership. A Uniform Commercial

Code lien will also be placed against the business until all fees have been satised.

Application for Registration of Mark

Atrademarksanyword,name,symbolordevceadoptedandusedbyapersonorenttytodentfy

goodsproduced,manufacturedorsoldbythatpersonorentty.

Trademarksareeffectiveforatermofveyearsfromthedateofregistration.Applicationtorenew

forasmlartermmustbemadeontheApplcatonforRenewalofRegstratonofMarkformwthn

sixmonthspriortotheexpirationofsuchterm.AtrademarkisledbycompletingtheApplication

forRegstratonofMarkform.Please note:The trademarkapplcatonmustmeet the followng

crtera:

ThetrademarknamemustbeavalableforusenPennsylvana.

Thenameandaddressoftheapplicantandthejurisdictioniftheapplicantisacorporation.

Astatementastothenameanddescrptonofthemark.Afacsmleofthemarktoberegstered

mustaccompanytheapplcaton.

Aspecicationastothegeneralclassofgoodsorservices.Theseclassicationsaresetforthin54Pa.C.S.1103.

Alstngofthegoodsorservceswthwhchthemarksusedandthemodeandmannernwhch

themarksusednconnectonwthsuchgoodsandservces.

Thedatewhenthemarkwasrstusedanywhere.

ThedatewhenthemarkwasrstusedinthisCommonwealthbytheapplicantorthepredecessor

nnterestoftheapplcant.

Thedate,ifany,anapplicationtoregisterthemark,orportionsoracompositethereof,wasled

bytheapplicantorapredecessorininterestintheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfce.


21/38



22/38


Customer

Services


23/38


Customer Services

Forms

AlllingformsmaybeobtainedbycallingtheBureausautomatedvoicemailsystemat(717)787-1057

opton1orbytelephonngCustomerServceRepresentatvesat(717)787-1057.Formsmayalsobe

downloadedandprntedfromtheDepartmentswebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us. Inaddton,formsmayalsobeobtanedbyvstngtheCorporatonBureau,401NorthStreet,Room206,Harrsburg,PA

17120,orpurchasedfromvarousstatoneryorformsupplerstores.

TheCorporationBureaualsoofferscomputerdiskettescontainingallcorporateandUniformCommercial

Code(UCC)forms.TheorderformmaybeobtainedbycallingtheCorporationBureauat(717)787-

1057ormaybedownloadedfromtheDepartmentwebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.

Record Search

CorporatonBureaucustomerservcerepresentatvesmaysearchthreeenttynamespercall.Bureau

recordsmayonlybeaccessedbyusingthecorrectentitynameorentitynumber,notbyofceror

ownersname.Busnessesarenotndexedbytype,taxorFederalI.D.number,purposeorbusness

address.Recordsdonotreectofceraddresses,stockholders,businessphonesnumbersoranytax

nformaton.CorporatonBureaurecordsmayalsobesearchedonlne,byusngourCorporateand

UniformCommercialCode(UCC)searchabledatabases,locatedontheDepartmentswebsiteat

www.dos.state.pa.us.

Bureaurepresentatvescanprovdecallerswththefollowngnformaton:theenttynumber;theexact

entityname;lingdate;effectivedate,ifapplicable;businesstype;status,generalpartnersorctitious

nameownersand,whenavailable,ofcers.Thebusinesspurposemaybegivenforctitiousnamesandtheclassicationfortrademarks.Thepurposeforotherentitiesmayormaynotbelisted.

Prntoutsofrecordsearchesareavalablefora$15feeperenttyname.Recordsearchesprovdea

completelinghistoryforanentity.

Bureaucustomerservicerepresentativesmayprovidethedatethelingwasreceived,and,ifaccepted,

theactuallingdateandwhenthedocumentsweremailed.Inquiriesregardingrecentlysubmitted

lingsmayalsobeaddressed.

Name Availability Requirements

NameAvalbltycrteranclude:

ThenameofeveryPennsylvanaorforegnbusness corporatonmust ncludea desgnator

ncorporated,corporaton,company,lmted(oranabbrevatonthereof),orassocaton,

fund,orsyndcate.


24/38


Domestcor foregncorporatons,lmtedpartnershpsor lmtedlabltycompanesor lmted

labltypartnershpsmaynotassumeanamethesameas,orthatsnotdstngushableupon

theCorporatonBureaurecordsfromthenameofanyotherPennsylvanacorporaton,foregn

corporaton,lmtedpartnershporlmtedlabltycompanyorlmtedlabltypartnershp.

NameavailabilitymaybeveriedbycallingtheCorporationBureauat(717)787-1057orbyusing

ouronlnesearchabledatabaseatwww.dos.state.pa.us.However,thesesearchesareonlyprelmnary

checksandarenotaguaranteeofnameavalblty.Nameavalabltymayalsobeperformedby

submttngawrttenrequest,lstnguptothreenames,alongwtha$15searchfee.

Name Reservation

NameReservatoncrteranclude:

Namereservatonsareavalablebywrttenrequestfor$70foraperodof120days.Reservatons

arerequestedbyletterastherearenopreprntedforms.Namescanbere-reservedfora$70fee

baseduponavalablty.Wrttenrequestsmaybemaled,faxed(provdedyouhaveacustomer

depostaccount)orhanddelveredtotheBureau.TheBureauwllreservecorporatenames,lmtedpartnershpnames,lmtedlabltycompanynamesandlmtedlabltypartnershpnames.The

customerwillreceiveacomputergeneratedprintoutasconrmationoftheirreservation.(Fictitious

names cannot be reserved as they do not have name exclusivity and are not protected names).

Reservatonrequestsarethoroughlycheckedforavalabltyandguaranteetheuseofthename.

Aforegncorporaton,wthanamethatsnotdstngushableupontheCorporatonBureaurecords

tothatofaPennsylvaniacorporationoranotherforeigncorporationqualiedtodobusinessin

Pennsylvana,maybeadmittedifitles:

1. Actitiousnameapplicationevidencingtheassumedctitiousname,

plustheappropriateadditionalfee.Thectitiousnamemustalsobe

avalableforuse.

2. AnapplicationforaCerticateofAuthorityshowingboththetruename

andtheassumedctitiousnameofthecorporationonthectitiousname

applcaton.

ForeignNameRegistrationsareregisteredorreservedforaone-yearperiodatafeeof$70.Thisling

mayberenewedannuallybetweenOctober1andDecember31forthefollowngcalendaryear.Ths

reservesthenamebutdoesnotqualfytheforegnentty.

Photocopies and Certicates

Manylegalproceedngsandbusnesstransactonsrequrethentroductonorpresentatonofdocuments

certiedbytheSecretaryoftheCommonwealthastrueandcorrectcopiesofrecordsintheCorporation

Bureau.CertiedcopiesoftherecordsintheOfceoftheSecretaryoftheCommonwealthmaybe

ntroducedasprmafaceevdenceofthefactsstatednthedocuments.This certication dispenses

with the necessity of the custodian of said records to appear at the proceedings and present the

documents for introduction into evidence.


25/38


Any documents onflewth theCorporatonBureaumay becertfedbytheSecretary ofthe

Commonwealth.Inadditiontocertifyingcopiesofthedocuments,thisofcealsopreparescerticates

ofsubsistence(goodstanding)andcerticatesofdueanddiligentsearch.

Acerticateofsubsistence(goodstanding)statestheregisterednameoftheentityandwhetherit

isstillinexistenceasamatterofrecordintheOfceoftheSecretaryoftheCommonwealth.

Acerticateofdueanddiligentsearchcertiesthatallavailablerecordsoftheofcehavebeen

searchedandthatapartcularenttydoesnotappearnourrecords.

Thefollowngmayberequestedbyletterorfax(provdedyouhaveacustomerdepostaccount)wth

theappropratefees:

Recordsearchlistingtheentitynumber,name,addressandledate(thesemayalsoindicatethat

norecordwasfound)-$15

Goodstandingcerticateevidencingstatus-$40

Plancopy-$15,plus$3perpage.

Certiedcopy-$55,plus$3perpage.

EngrossedcerticatebearingtheSecretarysseal-$70

PrntoutsofcomputerscreendetalsareavalablewhenvstngtheCorporatonBureaufor$3per

page. AllmicrolmrecordsareavailableforpublicinspectionandcopyingintheCorporationBureau

ReceptonRoomatafeeof$3perpage.

Duplicatecerticatesareavailablefora$70fee.

Payments may be made by check or money order payable to the PA Department of State, or

by utilizing a customer deposit account. The bureau does not accept cash and can only accept

credit cards or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions for online services.

Expedited Photocopy Procedures

Thefollowngproceduresweredevelopedtoaccommodateexpedtedphotocopyservcesnaccordance

wththeGeneralAssocatonsAct1988-177(GAA),asamendedbyAct1990-198,Secton136(b).

Expeditedserviceisavailableforgoodstandingcerticates,corporatecertiedanduncertied

copies,engrossedcerticatesandanyotherrelatedphotocopyservices.

Requestsmustbehanddelvered,overnghtexpressmalservceorfaxed(provdedthatyouhave

acustomerdepostaccount)onanybusnessdayby1:00p.m.Allprocessedrequestswllbeether

placedatthereceptondeskby5:00p.m.onthedayoftherequest,ormaled(pre-addressedpre-

padarbllshouldaccompanytherequest).Requestsrecevedafter1:00p.m.onanydaywllbe

processednthenextdayswork.

Thefeeofthisserviceis$70pername,pertransaction(i.e.,agoodstandingcerticateandcertiedcopesforABC,Inc.sconsderedtwoseparatetransactons),naddtontotheregularfeefor

theservcerequested.Thecoverlettershouldndcatethattsanexpedtedphotocopyrequest.

Customerdepostaccounts,festablshed,maybeusedforpaymentoffees.

Expedtedservcemaybedenednnstanceswherethecustomerspayngfortheworkbycheck

andthefeecannotbecalculatedinadvancefromtheindexofrecordlings.Insuchcases,the$70

feewouldbereturnedtothecustomer.

Requeststoexpeditelargevolumecopyorderswouldbesubjecttoapprovalbaseduponavailibility

ofresources.


26/38


Preclearance of Documents

Thepurposeofthisprocedureistoconrmtheaccuracyofthelingdocumentpriortotheactual

submissionofdocuments.Whenadocumentissubmitted,itisveriedforcorrectlinginformation,

andfapplcable,nameavalblty.Thsservcesavalableforanydocumentatafeeof$70.The

preclearanceofthedocumentsprocessedwththedalyworkloadandmaybeexpedtedforanaddtonal

$70fee,providedanamereservationhasbeenledwhenrequired.Preclearanceofdocumentsdoes

notreserveanenttyname.

Expedited Corporate Filings (Same Day Filing)

Fictitiousnameregistrationandtrademarkregistrationsarenotsubjecttothisservice.

DocumentsmaybesubmttedtotheDepartmentofStatebyanyofthefollowngmethods:

Handdelveredatleastfourhoursbeforethecloseofbusnessonanyday(by1:00p.m.).Processed

documentswllbeavalableforpck-upby5:00p.m.onthedayoftherequest. Expressmalservce,onlyfdelveredbefore1:00p.m.contanngcorrespondngletterstatng

expedited filingisrequested.

Faxedatleastfourhoursbeforethecloseofbusnessonanyday(1:00p.m.).Thsservcesonly

avalableforcustomerdepostaccountholders.Processeddocumentswllbefaxedbackby5:00

p.m.onthedayoftherequest.

Documentsrecevedafter1:00p.m.onanydaywllbeprocessednthenextdayswork.(Fledates

willnotbeaffected.)ThestatusofexpeditedlingswillimmediatelybereectedonCorporation

Bureaurecords.

Inthenstancewhenadocumentcreatesa newassocatonoreffectsachangenaname,the

documentmustbeaccompaniedbyaconrmednamereservation.

Thefeeforthisserviceis$70addedtothefeefortheleddocument.TheCorporationBureau

willexaminethedocumentsaccordingtorelativesectionsoftheGeneralAssociationsAct.Upon

completionoftheexamination,theCorporationBureauwilleitherlethedocuments,orprepare

awrttenstatementofthereason(s)fornotdongso.

Ifadocumentisexaminedandrefusedforcertication(ling),the$70willnotberefundedbythe

CorporationBureau.Ifanotherexpeditedlingisrequestedforthesamedocument,anadditional

$70feewllbecharged,asthattransactonwllbetreatedasanewrequest.


27/38


Fax Service

TheDepartmentofStateCorporatonBureauspleasedtoofferelectroncfacsmleservce(fax)to

customers.Customersmayfaxtothebureauandhavesuchtransactionsaslingdocuments,name

reservations,recordsearches,photocopyservicerequestsandUniformCommercialCodelingsfaxed

backtothem.

However,pleasenotethefeesassociatedwithlingtransactionsandservicerequestscannotbefaxed.

Therefore,conductngbusnessbyfaxrequrestheenttytohaveaCorporatonBureauCustomer

DepostAccount.

Faxservceexpedtesthereceptofthedocumentsonlyanddoesnotexpedtethedocumentsunless

expedtngproceduresarefollowed.Documentssubmttedvafaxaretmeanddatestampedupon

recept.Documentsrecevedbythecloseofbusnessrecevethatbusnessdaysflngdate.

Customer recevether faxed recept asconfrmatonthat theDepartment receved ther fax.

Fax information:

TheBureaufaxnumbers(717)783-2244.

Allcorporate,ctitiousname,limitedpartnershipandotherlingsshouldincludethesamedocuments

suchasdocketingstatements,lettersofconsent,clearancecerticates(astheywouldthroughthe

malorhanddelvery).Pleasencludeacoverletterexplanngthetransactonalongwthanyspecal

instructions.PleasedonotduplicatelingsbybothfaxingandmailingthemtotheBureau.

Afaxcoverlettershouldcontanthecustomeraccountnumbertobecharged.

Namereservatons,recordsearchesandphotocopyrequestsshouldbesubmttednthesamemanner

asleddocumentsincludingthecoverletter,specialinstructionsandcustomeraccountnumberto

becharged.

Pleaseindicateinthecoverletteriftheacceptedling,namereservation,recordsearch,photocopiesorrejectionlettershouldbefaxedback.Thereisa$3perpagefeeforalldocumentsand

communcatonsfaxedfromtheBureau.Thesefeescanbedeductedfromthecustomerdepost

account.Thefrontandbackofadocumentareconsderedtwopages.

Anyquestonsrelatngtofaxservcesmaybedrectedto(717)787-1057.


28/38


Payment

ThefollowngaregudelneswhenpayngforanyservcesrenderedbytheCorporatonBureau:

CustomersmaypaybycheckormoneyordermadepayabletothePA Department of State.

Checksmaynotbemorethansxmonthsoldandmustbecommercallypreprntedwththename

andaddressoftheaccountholder.

Cashsnotaccepted.

CreditcardsandACHtransactionsareonlyacceptedforonlinelingrequests.

Service Of Process

ServceofprocessmaybesenttotheregsteredaddressoftheenttythatappearsnBureaurecords.

Servceofprocessshouldbecompletedpursuanttotherelevantrulesofcourt.Substtutedservceupon

theSecretaryoftheCommonwealthsNOTpermitted,unlessorderedbyaPennsylvaniajudge.The

courtorderandthecomplaintshouldbesentviacertiedmailtotheDepartmentofState;returnreceipt

requestedandmustbeaccompanedbythestatutoryfeeof$70foreachdefendanttobeserved.


29/38



30/38


Reference


31/38


Q: Are bylaws required to be led?

A:No.Bylawsarekeptwththerecordsofthebusness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do so many businesses le in Pennsylvania?

A:Pennsylvaniaisalogicaljurisdictioninwhichtoincorporateforanycorporationdoingbusinessor

expectingtodobusinessanywhereintheUnitedStates,andespeciallyifthecorporationwillhaveany

actvtesnPennsylvana,regardlessofwhetherthecorporatonsapublclyheldcorporaton.

Q: Is there an Internet site where I can get information I need to start a business in

Pennsylvania?

A:Yes.TolearnmoreaboutstartngabusnessnPennsylvana,ortoobtantheneccessaryforms

requredbydfferentPennsylvanastateagences,logontowww.paopenforbusness.state.pa.us.

Q: Does the Corporation Bureau issue licenses which are required for corporations to conduct

specic business activities?

A:No.CorporationsareformedandctitiousnamesareregisteredinlingsmadewiththeCorporation

Bureau.Youshould,however,contactyourlocalcounty,cty,boroughortownshpforaddtonal

lcensngrequrementsthatmayapplytoyourbusness.

Q: Must I seek legal counsel to incorporate?

A:No,buttherearemanyptfallsfortheunwary.PleasebeadvsedthattheCorporatonBureauacts

nanadmnstratvecapactyonly.Youshouldconsultwthanattorneyforadvceaboutthemanystate

andfederallawsthatmghtapplytoyourbusness.

Q: Is it a requirement to have a Pennsylvania address in order to have a business in the

Commonwealth?

A:Yes.TheonlyenttesnotrequredtohaveaPennsylvanaaddressarethoseregsterngtrademarks

andctitiousnames.Youmayalsoelecttohaveacommercialregisteredofceproviderinlieuofa

physcaladdressnPennsylvana.

Q: Does Pennsylvania require annual report lings?

A:Pennsylvaniarequiresannuallingsforalllimitedliabilitypartnerships,domesticandforeign,aswell

asrestrictedprofessionallimitedliabilitycompanies,domesticandforeign.Nonprotcorporationsare

alsorequiredtoleannualreportsiftherehasbeenachangeincorporateofcersduringthepreceding

calendaryear.

Q: Does the Department of State have the ability to amend corporate ofcers on its records?

A:ChangesincorporateofcersaremadebycompletingformREV.1605CT(namesofcorporate

ofcers)andmailingtotheDepartmentofRevenuewhenlingtaxreports.

ThsformmaybeobtanedbycallngtheDepartmentofRevenueat(717)772-3635orbyvstng

itswebsiteatwww.revenue.state.pa.us. Upon receipt,theDepartmentofRevenuewillnotify the

CorporationBureauoftheofcerchangesandtheywillbereectedonourrecords.


32/38


Q: Does the Corporation Bureau issue certicates as evidence of ling?

A:Yes.Certicatescanbeobtainedforanadditionalfeeof$70.

Q: Is a list of new businesses or associations available from the Corporation Bureau?

A:Yes.Lstsofallnewassocatonsaregeneratedonamonthlybass.Lstsevdencngspecalzed

dataarealsoavailable.Theinformationcontainedontheselistsarename,ledate,address,purpose,if

applicable,entitynumberandowners(ctitiousnamesonly).Thefeeis25centspername.Business

lstsmaybeobtanedthroughtheBureauswebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.usorbysubmttngawrtten

requesttotheBureau.

Q: What type of information can the Corporation Bureau offer?

A:TheCorporationBureausfunctionisthatofalingagencyandkeeperofrecords.TheBureaumay

assstnregstratonofbusnessesornobtanngnformatononexstngbusnesses.TheBureaudoes

notlegslate,admnsterorenforcepenaltesncurredbyenttesfornon-regstraton.

Q: Where do I obtain tax information in Pennsylvania?

A:PennsylvanataxnformatonmaybeobtanedbycontactngtheDepartmentofRevenuesnewTaxpayerServcesCenterat(717)787-1064,orbyvstngtherwebsteatwww.revenue.state.pa.us.

FederaltaxnformatonmaybeobtanedbycontactngtheInternalRevenueServceat(800)829-1040,

orthroughtswebsteatwww.rs.gov.

Q: Does the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau utilize registered agents for service?

A:No.Ourrecordsindicatearegisteredofceaddress.Serviceofprocessshouldbecompletedpursuant

totherelevantrulesofcourt.SubsttutedservceupontheSecretaryoftheCommonwealthsNOT

permittedunlessorderedbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction.Thecourtorderandthecomplaintshould

besentcertiedmailtotheDepartmentofState;returnreceiptrequestedandmustbeaccompaniedby

thestatutoryfeeof$70foreachdefendanttobeserved.

Q: Does a foreign corporation have to supply a good standing certicate or copies of its articles of

incorporation when it qualies to do business in Pennsylvania?

A:No.Theysimplycompletethecerticateofauthorityformanddocketingstatement.

Q: Can corporate seals and corporate kits be obtained from the Corporation Bureau?

A:No.Theymaybeobtainedfromanystationeryorofcesupplystore.


33/38


Schedule of Fees

DOMESTIC CORPORATION/ASSOCIATION PROFIT AND NONPROFIT:

Articles of Incorporation or like instrument incorporating a corporation or association.......................$125

Articles of Conversion............................................................................................................................... $70

Each ancillary transaction........................................................................................................................ $70

Articles of Merger, Consolidation or Division (Base fee - see additional fee below)............................... $70

Additional fee for each association which is a party to a merger or consolidation ................................. $40Additional fee for each new association resulting from a division......................................................... $125

FOREIGN CORPORATION/ASSOCIATION PROFIT AND NONPROFIT:

Certicates of Authority or like qualication to do business...................................................................$250

Amended Certicate of Authority or like change in qualication to do business ................................... $250

Domestication ......................................................................................................................................... $125


Statement of Merger or Consolidation (Base fee - see additional fee below) ......................................... $70

Additional fee for each association which is a party to a merger or consolidation ................................. $40

FICTITIOUS NAME:Registration............................................................................................................................................... $70


TRADEMARK:

Registration............................................................................................................................................... $50

Renewal..................................................................................................................................................... $50

Assignment................................................................................................................................................ $50

INSIGNIA, MARKED ARTICLES AND LIKE MATTERS:

Registration............................................................................................................................................... $50

Amendment................................................................................................................................................ $50

DOMESTIC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP:

Registration............................................................................................................................................. $125


Certicate of Merger, or Consolidation or Division (Base fee - see additional fee below) ..................... $70


Additional fee for each new association resulting from a division..................................................... $125

FOREIGN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP:

Registration............................................................................................................................................. $250

Amended registration.............................................................................................................................. $250

Domestication ......................................................................................................................................... $125


DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP:

Registration............................................................................................................................................. $125


Annual registration .....................................................................................................................at least $310


34/38


Registration............................................................................................................................................. $250

Amended Registration ............................................................................................................................. $250


Annual Registration (Partnership) .............................................................................................at least $310

Annual Registration (Company) .................................................................................................at least $460

CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE BY AGENT.............................................................................. $5

NAME RESERVATION/REGISTRATION............................................................................................ $70

CERTIFICATION FEES:Certied copy ......................................................................................................................$55+ $3 per page

Plain copy ........................................................................................................$15 search fee + $3 per page

Subsistence Certicate ............................................................................................................................. $40

Engrossed Certicate ................................................................................................................................ $70

REPORT OF RECORD SEARCH.......................................................................................................... $15

SERVICE OF PROCESS, EACH DEFENDANT NAMED OR SERVED .......................................... $70

UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE:

UCC-1 Financing Statement ..................................................................................................................... $84

UCC-3 Change Statement ......................................................................................................................... $84

Only one (1) transaction is accepted per UCC-3 form.

Attached pages to UCC-1 or UCC-3 lings .............................................................................NO CHARGE

Correction Statement................................................................................................................................ $84

UCC-11 Information Request.................................................................................................................... $12

UCC-11 Copy Request .......................................................................................................$12 + $3 per copy

Certication .............................................................................................................................................. $28

OTHER FEES:

Expedited................................................................................................................................................... $70

FAX (outgoing fax)...................................................................................................................... $3 per page

Business Lists................................................................................................................$0.25 per entity nameName Availabilities (written, up to three names)...................................................................................... $15

AnyquestonsshouldbedrectedtotheCorporatonBureauat(717)787-1057.

InformatonsalsoavalablefromtheDepartmentofStatewebsteatwww.dos.state.pa.us.

DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY:

Certicate of Organization ..................................................................................................................... $125


Certicate of Merger, Consolidation or Division (Base fee - see additional fee below) ......................... $70


Additional fee for each new association resulting from a division......................................................... $125

Annual Registration ....................................................................................................................at least $460

FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP/LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY:


35/38


Phone Directory Resources

Therearemanyagencesandorganzatonsavalabletoassstbusnesses.Theseresourcesnclude:

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development...........................717-787-3405

CenterforEntrepreneuralAssstance.........................................................717-783-5700or800-280-3801

TheEntrepreneursGudesavalablefromtheabovelstednumbersormaybedownloadedfromtswebsteatwww.dced.state.pa.us.

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry: www.dl.state.pa.us

BuldngOccupancyPermt..............................................................................................717-787-3806

UnemploymentCompensationTax...................................................................................717-787-2097

BenetsandAllowances...................................................................................................717-787-3547

TaxClearanceDataandFunds.......................................................................................717-787-6647

WorkersCompensaton.............................................................717-772-4447or800-482-2383nPA

TheCorporationBureaudoesnotleorrecordtaxinformation.Certaintaxinformationisavailablefromthe

PennsylvanaDepartmentofRevenue,asfollows:

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: www.revenue.state.pa.us

GeneralTaxInqures........................................................................................................717-787-8201

CorporatonTaxes(Rate&BaseChanges)SubSForms.................................................717-783-6035

TaxLienCerticates.........................................................................................................717-787-3911

SmallGamesofChance....................................................................................................717-787-8275

BureauofComplance.......................................................................................................717-783-6052

SalesTaxQuestons(TaxabltyofanItem).....................................................................717-787-6229

SalesTaxQuestons(OnaSalesTaxAccount)................................................................717-787-8326

SalesTaxLcensng/EmployerReg..................................................................................717-783-3960

1%LocalSalesandUseTax(Phila./AlleghenyCo.)........................................................717-787-6229

EmployerWthholdngTax(Questons)............................................................................717-783-1488

EmployerTaxAccount(Payments)...................................................................................717-787-1488

CgaretteTax....................................................................................................................717-783-9374

MaltBeverageTax............................................................................................................717-783-9354

PublcTransportatonAssstanceFund&TaxFees..........................................................717-787-2104

PersonalIncomeTax..........................................................................................................717-787-8201

SpecicLegalQuestionsonTaxChanges.........................................................................717-787-1382

Pennsylvania Department of State:www.dos.state.pa.us

CorporatonBureau...........................................................................................................717-787-1057

BureauofChartableOrganzatons...........................................717-783-1720or800-732-0999nPA

BureauofProfessonalandOccupatonalAffars.............................................................717-787-8503

LcensngBoards(GeneralInformaton)..........................................................................717-787-8503 StateAthletcCommsson................................................................................................717-787-5720

Commissions,ElectionsandLegislationOfce...............................................................717-787-5280


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PennsylvanaSecurtesCommsson................................................................................717-787-8061

PennsylvanaInsuranceDepartment..................................................................................717-787-2317

www.nsurance.state.pa.us

PennsylvanaDepartmentofBankng................................................................................717-787-2665

www.bankng.state.pa.us

OfceofAttorneyGeneral(ConsumerProtection)...........................................................717-787-9707

www.attorneygeneral.gov

PennsylvanaLquorControlBoard...................................................................................717-783-7637 www.lcb.state.pa.us

PublicUtilityCommission.................................................................................................717-783-1740

www.puc.state.pa.us

MnortyBusness..............................................................................................................866-466-3972

www.newpa.com

WomensBusinessAdvocateOfce:www.newpa.com

InternalRevenueServce(IRS)-(EINnumbers)................................................................800-829-1040 www.rs.gov

TaxExemptFormsfor501C3Status.................................................................................800-829-3676

www.rs.gov

ImmgratonandNaturalzatonServce(INS)..................................................................800-375-5283

www.uscs.gov/portal/ste/uscs

U.S. Small Business Administration: www.sbaonlne.sba.gov

Harrsburg...........................................................................................................................800-827-5722

Phladelpha........................................................................................................................215-580-2722

Federal Switchboard...............................................................................................................800-688-9889

United States Patent & Trademark Ofce...........................................................................800-786-9199

www.uspto.gov

Pennsylvania State Government: www.pa.gov

PennsylvanaDepartmentofGeneralServces(VendorServces)...................................717-787-4705

www.dgs.state.pa.us

www.psc.state.pa.us


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U.S. Bankruptcy Court(MddleDstrct)..............................................................................717-901-2800

www.pamb.uscourts.gov

Pennsylvania Bar Association................................................................................................717-238-6715

www.pabar.org

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry...............................................................717-255-3252 www.pachamber.org

Better Business Bureau(Lancaster)......................................................................................717-291-3241

www.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau(EasternPa.).....................................................................................215-985-9313

www.bbb.org

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)Harrsburg.................................................717-213-0435

www.score.org

Revsed02/11


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Pennsylvania Department of State

Corporation Bureau

206 North Ofce Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Customer Service - 717-787-1057