Pennsylvania lesson 3 of 6
File the Certificate of Organization
Pennsylvania calls its formation document a Certificate of Organization, filed on form DSCB:15-8821. It creates the LLC as a matter of state law once the Department of State accepts it.
What the form asks for
The Certificate covers the LLC's name, its registered office or CROP information, whether the LLC is a restricted professional company, and the signature of at least one organiser. Members are not required to be listed by name in the Certificate itself.
- The organiser does not have to be an owner of the LLC
- A veteran-owned or reservist-owned small business may qualify for a fee exemption
- You can file online through the PA Business One-Stop Hub or mail it to Harrisburg
Fee and processing
The fee is $125, and it is nonrefundable whether the filing is accepted or rejected, so double-check the form before submitting. Cash and credit cards are not accepted for mailed filings; checks or money orders must be made payable to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Filing online through the Business Filing Services portal generally moves faster than a mailed paper filing and lets you track status.
After approval
Keep the filed Certificate of Organization on hand. Pennsylvania does not require an operating agreement to be filed, but adopting one in writing is how members set out ownership shares, voting and management, and banks will typically ask for it.
Key takeaways
- The Certificate of Organization costs $125 and is nonrefundable.
- Filing can be done online through the PA Business One-Stop Hub or by mail to Harrisburg.
- An operating agreement is not filed with the state but is expected by banks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Pennsylvania to form a Pennsylvania LLC?
No. There is no residency requirement for members. Only the registered office needs a Pennsylvania address.
Is there a separate publication requirement in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania removed its newspaper publication requirement for LLC formation. Confirm current requirements with the Department of State if your professional field has separate publication rules.
Official sources
Or let us file your Pennsylvania LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Certificate of Organization Domestic Limited Liability Company (DSCB:15-8821), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team