Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization: File for $125 (2026)
The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough.
The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough. Use the current Certificate: compliant name; either a Pennsylvania registered-office street address or a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) name and county, not both; each organizer’s name; effective date if delayed; and applicable restricted-professional or benefit-company provisions. Every organizer executes the Certificate. File the separate DSCB:15-134A Docketing Statement as required; it is not a Certificate field.
- Filing fee
- $125 base; exemption only if qualified
- Required companion form
- Docketing Statement DSCB:15-134A
- Processing (online)
- Check current queue
- Expedite options
- Check current service and cutoff rules
- Agency
- Dept. of State, Bureau of Corporations
- Portal
- PA Business One-Stop Hub
What the Certificate of Organization Does
An accepted Certificate creates the LLC. Keep the confirmation and company records. Limited liability and bank-account eligibility depend on facts and separate requirements; formation does not guarantee either.
The Docketing Statement — Don't Skip It
This is the single most common formation mistake in Pennsylvania. Alongside your Certificate of Organization, Pennsylvania requires a Docketing Statement (Form DSCB:15-134A) — a separate form collecting basic entity information (EIN if already obtained, fiscal year end, business description, and other details). Many generic multi-state guides simply don't mention it, since most states don't have an equivalent. Filing your Certificate without it can result in rejection or delay. If you're filing through PA's Business One-Stop Hub, the online system typically prompts for both together — but if you're filing by mail, make sure you include both forms.
The Veteran Fee Waiver
The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough.
The Filing Walkthrough
Create an account with the PA Business One-Stop Hub
The state's online portal handles formation now and your annual report every year after.
Complete both the Certificate of Organization and Docketing Statement
Use the current Certificate: compliant name; either a Pennsylvania registered-office street address or a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) name and county, not both; each organizer’s name; effective date if delayed; and applicable restricted-professional or benefit-company provisions. Every organizer executes the Certificate. File the separate DSCB:15-134A Docketing Statement as required; it is not a Certificate field.
The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough.
Use the current Certificate: compliant name; either a Pennsylvania registered-office street address or a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) name and county, not both; each organizer’s name; effective date if delayed; and applicable restricted-professional or benefit-company provisions. Every organizer executes the Certificate. File the separate DSCB:15-134A Docketing Statement as required; it is not a Certificate field.
Download your confirmed Certificate
Processing depends on the current Department of State queue, submission and any eligible expedited service. Check current cutoff and delivery rules before paying; a processing estimate does not guarantee acceptance or a bank-opening date.
Every Line of the Certificate
LLC name
With a valid designator, distinguishable on state records — verified in Step 1.
Registered office or CROP
Pennsylvania requires a registered office, not a named registered agent on this Certificate: enter a qualifying PA street address or the CROP name and county, not both. A post-office box alone is insufficient.
Organizer signature
List each organizer’s name and obtain every organizer’s execution as the current Certificate directs. An organizer need not be an owner.
Effective date (optional)
Usually immediate upon filing, though you can specify a delayed effective date if desired.
Docketing Statement details
EIN (if already obtained), fiscal year end, and a brief business description — filed alongside the Certificate.
Payment
The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough.
After Approval: Your Immediate Next Moves
Pennsylvania Filing Readiness Checklist
Confirm each item before you submit
- Save the accepted formation document and EIN confirmation if applicable; confirm the bank’s actual documentation requirements.
- Document governance in an operating agreement within statutory limits; bank requirements vary and liability protection is not guaranteed.
- Get your free EIN at IRS.gov, then register with the PA Department of Revenue as applicable.
- Calendar September 30 for your new annual report next year.
Prepare the registered-office choice, organizer details, required Docketing Statement and any exemption proof before filing. Check current processing conditions rather than promising an approval date.
- ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
- ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
- ✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
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Certificate contents and fee exemption
Use the current Certificate: compliant name; either a Pennsylvania registered-office street address or a Commercial Registered Office Provider (CROP) name and county, not both; each organizer’s name; effective date if delayed; and applicable restricted-professional or benefit-company provisions. Every organizer executes the Certificate. File the separate DSCB:15-134A Docketing Statement as required; it is not a Certificate field. The base fee is $125. The veteran/reservist exemption requires an independently owned business that is not dominant in its field, has no more than 100 employees, and meets the ownership/control test (at least 51% for multiple owners), with required proof. It covers eligible start/open-business filings, not continuing-business fees automatically. Veteran status alone is not enough.
Pennsylvania LLC — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. For filing and ongoing compliance, confirm the requirements with the responsible state agency. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.
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