How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start an LLC in Pennsylvania?

The Certificate of Organization filing fee is a one-time $125 to the Department of State. Your EIN from the IRS is free, so many Pennsylvania LLCs cost about $125 to form. After that, the new annual report is only $7 per year.

Q: Does Pennsylvania have an annual report now?

Yes. Under Act 122 of 2022, Pennsylvania replaced the old once-a-decade decennial report with a recurring annual report. It costs $7 and is due by September 30 each year. This is new as of 2025, so older guides that say Pennsylvania has no annual report are out of date.

Q: What is a registered office in Pennsylvania?

Instead of a registered agent, Pennsylvania asks for a registered office: a physical Pennsylvania street address where legal mail can be delivered. You can use your own PA address or hire a Commercial Registered Office Provider, which supplies the address for you.

Q: When is the first Pennsylvania annual report due?

An LLC formed in 2026 files its first annual report by September 30, 2027. There's a transition grace period for the 2025 and 2026 cycles, but from 2027 onward the state fully enforces it, and a long delinquency can lead to administrative dissolution.

Last updated: July 21, 2026

To start a Pennsylvania LLC, file the Certificate of Organization with the PA Department of State for $125, list a Pennsylvania registered office, and get a free EIN from the IRS. New for 2025: Pennsylvania now has a $7 annual report due September 30 each year, replacing the old once-a-decade report. Budget $125 to form and $7/year to maintain.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice — confirm current Pennsylvania requirements with the state and a licensed pro before filing.

Pennsylvania is affordable to form in, but it does two things a little differently: it uses a "registered office" instead of a registered agent, and it just added a yearly report. Here's the current, plain-English version — written for people starting a real, hands-on business.

New in 2025 — most guides are wrong on this Pennsylvania used to require only a decennial report (once every ten years). Under Act 122 of 2022, that's gone — every PA LLC now files a $7 annual report by September 30. If a guide tells you Pennsylvania has "no annual report," it's out of date.

How to start a Pennsylvania LLC in 6 steps

Name it, list a registered office, file the Certificate of Organization ($125), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then file the $7 annual report by Sept 30.

Name your Pennsylvania LLC

Your name must be distinguishable from other Pennsylvania businesses and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Search it on the Department of State site first so your filing isn't rejected, and lock in the matching domain.

List a registered office

Pennsylvania uses a "registered office" rather than a registered agent — a physical Pennsylvania street address where legal mail is delivered. You can use your own PA address, or hire a Commercial Registered Office Provider (about $50–$125/year) to supply the address and keep yours private. Northwest provides this and includes it free the first year with their $39 filing.

File the Certificate of Organization

Pennsylvania's formation document is the Certificate of Organization (filed with a short docketing statement). File it with the PA Department of State and pay the $125 fee. Online through the Business Filing Services portal is fastest.

Write an operating agreement

Pennsylvania doesn't require one, but write it anyway. It sets out ownership and management, reinforces your liability protection, and banks usually ask for it. A filled-in template covers most single-owner courier businesses.

Get a free EIN from the IRS

Get your EIN free at irs.gov in a few minutes — you need it for a business bank account and taxes. Never pay a third party for one.

File the annual report by September 30

Every Pennsylvania LLC now files a $7 annual report with the Department of State by September 30. An LLC formed in 2026 files its first by Sept 30, 2027. It's cheap, but from 2027 onward the state enforces it — a long delinquency can get your LLC administratively dissolved, so set a reminder.

Pennsylvania LLC cost breakdown

$125 to form, then just $7 a year — one of the cheapest states to maintain.

Item	Cost	Required?
Certificate of Organization	$125 one-time	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Registered office provider	$0 (own address) – $125/yr	No
Annual report	$7/yr (by Sept 30)	Yes

Pennsylvania figures as of 2026. Verify current amounts at pa.gov before filing.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your Pennsylvania LLC for $39 + the $125 state fee and provide your registered office the first year, keeping your address private. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in Pennsylvania?

The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest — insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Pennsylvania clinics, labs, and hospitals.

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Pennsylvania LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Pennsylvania?

The Certificate of Organization fee is a one-time $125. Your EIN is free, so many PA LLCs cost about $125 to form, then just $7 a year for the new annual report.

Does Pennsylvania have an annual report now?

Yes. Under Act 122 of 2022, PA replaced the once-a-decade decennial report with a $7 annual report due September 30 each year, starting in 2025. Older guides saying "no annual report" are out of date.

What is a registered office in Pennsylvania?

Instead of a registered agent, PA asks for a registered office — a physical Pennsylvania street address for legal mail. You can use your own PA address or hire a Commercial Registered Office Provider.

When is the first Pennsylvania annual report due?

An LLC formed in 2026 files its first by September 30, 2027. There's a grace period for the 2025–2026 cycles, but full enforcement applies from 2027 onward.

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