Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide is a brief overview of how to form an LLC in Pennsylvania.
Detailed Lessons:
1. Name Search
2. Registered Agent
3. Filing Forms
4. Operating Agreement
5. Tax ID Number (EIN)
6. Decennial Report
7. Licenses and Permits
8. Taxes
Pennsylvania LLC Costs:
Pennsylvania state fee: $125
Need to save time?
Hire a professional to form your LLC in Pennsylvania:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
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Instructions on How to Change an LLC Name in PA
In order to change your Pennsylvania LLC name, you need to file a Certificate of Amendment with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.
Note: this lesson is for changing the name of an already existing LLC in PA. If you need to form a new LLC in PA, please see our free guide: How to Form an LLC in Pennsylvania
Method of filing
You can submit your PA Certificate of Amendment filing by mail or online.
Approval time
The PA Bureau of Corporations will process both mail and online filings within approximately 2 business days of receiving them. The mail filing will take a few days longer just because of the document’s travel time. For that reason, we recommend the online filing option.
PA LLC Name change filing fee
The filing fee is $70 (for both mail and online filing).
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Important: Once the PA Bureau of Corporations approves your LLC name change, you’ll also need to change your LLC name with the IRS. More on this is below.
How to File a PA LLC Name Change (Certificate of Amendment) by Mail
Forms needed to change your Pennsylvania LLC name
When filing by mail, you need to submit 2 forms:
- Certificate of Amendment (Form DSCB:15-8622/8822)
- Docketing Statement – Changes (Form DSCB:15-134B)
Note: You can print the forms, fill them out by hand (use a black pen), then sign; or, you can type in the forms on your computer, then print and sign. When printing, use regular white paper (8.5″ x 11″).
First, here’s instructions for the PA Certificate of Amendment
Tip: Read the instructions on pages 3 and 4 before filling out your Certificate of Amendment.
Return documents by:
At the top of the form, check off whether you’d like your documents returned by mail or returned by email. Then enter your mailing address or email address.
Check one:
Check off “Limited Liability Company (§8822)”.
1. The name of the limited liability partnership/limited liability company is:
Enter your current LLC name (not the new one), including its designator (“LLC” or “L.L.C.”).
2. The date of filing of the original Certificate of Limited Partnership/Organization:
Enter the date your LLC was approved by the state. You can find this on your stamped and approved Certificate of Organization, or by searching the PA online database. Look for the “Effective Date” after you search your LLC name. If you need assistance, you can also call the PA Bureau of Corporations at 717-787-1057.
3. The current registered office address as on file with the Department of State:
• If your Registered Office Address is your home, your office, a friend’s address, or a family member’s address, enter that address and county on line 3a (leave line 3b blank).
• If you hired a Registered Agent (known as a Commercial Registered Office Provider in PA), enter the name of the company and the county where they are located on line 3b (leave line 3a blank). You don’t need to enter their full address, as it’s already on file with the state. If you’re not sure what county they are located in, please call or email them.
4. The name change amendment adopted by the LLC:
Check off the first box (“The amendment adopted by the limited partnership/limited liability company, set forth in full, is as follows:”) and then write the following on the line(s) below:
The name of the limited liability company shall henceforth be known as {New Name LLC}
- Replace {New Name LLC} with your new desired LLC name.
- Make sure to include the designator “L.L.C.” or “LLC” (“LLC” is the most common).
- You can use a comma in your new PA LLC name, or you can leave it out. For example, “Poppy Seed Bakery LLC” and “Poppy Seed Bakery, LLC” are both acceptable.
Important: The most common reason LLC name changes in PA are rejected is because the name is not distinguishable. In order to avoid this happening, please refer to this lesson to make sure you’re searching your new name properly: PA LLC Name Search.
5. Effective date:
Check off the first box if you want your Certificate of Amendment to be effective upon filing with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations. This means the name change will immediately take effect once it is filed.
6. This amendment restates the Certificate of Organization:
Check off the box in #6. This means that the new LLC name you listed in the Certificate of Amendment will replace the old name in your original Certificate of Organization.
Sign & Date:
Enter today’s date, the old name of your LLC (not the new name), then print and sign your name and title. Your title will either be “Member” or “Manager”. For more info on members vs. managers, please see Member-managed LLC vs Manager-managed LLC.
Second, here’s instructions for the PA Docketing Statement – Changes
BUREAU USE ONLY:
Do not enter anything in this section. Leave it blank.
Part I. Current name, entity number, date and state of formation, and effective date:
Enter the current name of your LLC, its entity number, and your LLC’s formation/registration date.
Note: You can find your LLC’s entity number and registration date in your approved Certificate of Organization, or by searching your LLC name here. If you need assistance, you can also call the PA Bureau of Corporations at 717-787-1057.
If your LLC is a domestic LLC (Pennsylvania is the state where you formed), then enter “Pennsylvania”. If your LLC is a Foreign LLC qualification in PA, enter the name of the state where your original LLC was formed.
For Effective Date, you’ll most likely leave this blank (depending on what you selected in your Certificate of Amendment). If you used an Effective Date in your Certificate of Amendment, make sure to enter that same date here. If you left the Effective Date blank (most people do), then leave it blank here as well.
Part II. Check appropriate transaction:
Check off “Amendment (complete Section A)”, and then proceed to Section A to change your LLC name.
Important: The only information you need to enter in the ‘Docketing Statement – Changes’ is those things which are changing. So the form will have a lot of things left blank. That’s okay.
Enter your new LLC name in Section A, to the right of “Name”.
In Section A, you can leave everything else blank besides “Name”.
Make sure to include the designator “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in your name. The abbreviation “LLC” is the most common. And you can use a comma in your LLC name, or you can leave it out. For example, “Poppy Seed Bakery LLC” and “Poppy Seed
Bakery, LLC” are both acceptable.
All other Sections (B through H) can be left blank, as they do not apply for name changes. That’s it for the ‘Docketing Statement – Changes’. Pretty easy :)
Here’s what our example ‘Docketing Statement – Changes’ looks like:
Third, send your Certificate of Amendment, Docketing Statement – Changes, and $70 filing fee to the PA Bureau of Corporations
Prepare Payment:
Prepare a check or money order for $70 and make it payable to “Department of State”.
Mail Documents:
Mail your completed Certificate of Amendment, along with your Docketing Statement, and the $70 filing fee to:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
Approval for PA LLC Name Change (filed by mail):
If you file by mail, the PA Bureau of Corporations will process your documents in approximately 2 business days after they receive them. Your stamped and approved Certificate of Amendment will be returned by mail or email (depending on what you selected at the top of the Certificate of Amendment).
Next Step:
Make sure to change your LLC name with the IRS as well as any other places you do business with (see below).
How to File a PA LLC Name Change (Certificate of Amendment) Online
In order to file a Certificate of Amendment online, you must create a Keystone Login.
(If you already have a Keystone Login and a PENN File account, simply login.)
Prior to Keystone Login, the old method of online filing was to just have a PENN File account. Since May 29, 2020, Pennsylvania now requires everyone to create a Keystone Login.
Create a Keystone Login
- Visit PA Business One-Stop Hub
- Click “Register” on the right
- Create a username and password (if you have a PENN File login, don’t use that here)
- Enter your contact information
- Create security questions
- Click “Submit”
The system should send you back to the registration page with a “Keystone Login registration successful” message at the top (it’s a small green bar).
You can’t login just yet. You need to check your email and click the verification link. You’re going to get 2 emails from the state, but only one includes the “click here to verify your email address” message.
After you click the verification link, you’ll be sent back to the PA Business One-Stop Hub page.
Click the “here to Login” link and login with your new Keystone Login.
Choose the purpose of your visit
After logging in, if you see a pop-up message that says “choose the purpose of your visit”, select “Business Owner“.
You will now see the Welcome page for PA Business One-Stop.
Click the “PENN File” icon at the top left.
If you don’t have a PENN File account:
You’ll need to click “Sign up now” and complete the PENN File registration. After successfully doing so, you’ll be taken back to the Penn File dashboard and can then begin filing your Certificate of Amendment.
If you already have a PENN File account:
You’ll need to “synchronize” your PENN File account with your new Keystone Login. You’ll accomplish this by entering your PENN File login credentials one last time. After doing so, you’ll be redirected to the PENN File dashboard which means the synchronization was successful. You’ll use your Keystone Login credentials going forward, not your PENN File login credentials.
Select your filing:
- Scroll down to the “Start or Manage Business Filings” section.
- Click “Domestic Limited Liability Company” (a few items will now appear below).
- Click “Certificate of Amendment – Domestic Limited Liability Company (8622-8822)”.
How to complete the PA Certificate of Amendment Online
Entity Number (or Search):
Enter your Pennsylvania LLC’s Entity Number in the box and click “Search”. If you don’t know your LLC’s Entity Number, you can search for it here. If you need assistance, you can also call the PA Bureau of Corporations at 717-787-1057.
After you enter your Pennsylvania LLC’s Entity Number and click “Search” your LLC will appear below under the “Search Result” section. Just click the “Continue” button in the lower right to proceed.
Here’s what the page will look like:
Business Details:
Under “Select Corporation Type”, select “Limited Liability Company (§8822)”. The fields below will automatically be filled in. Click the “Save and Continue” button to proceed.
Here’s what the page will look like:
Note: the image above is older and shows and old statute (§8951). You will see §8822.
Form Questions:
Check off the box at the top (“The amendment adopted by the limited partnership/limited liability company, set forth in full, is as follows:”) and enter the following statement onto the blank line:
The name of the limited liability company shall henceforth be known as {New Name LLC}
- Replace {New Name LLC} with your new desired LLC name.
- Make sure to include the designator “L.L.C.” or “LLC” (“LLC” is the most common).
- You can use a comma in your new PA LLC name, or you can leave it out. For example, “Poppy Seed Bakery LLC” and “Poppy Seed Bakery, LLC” are both acceptable.
Important: The most common reason LLC name changes in PA are rejected is because the name is not distinguishable. In order to avoid this happening, please refer to this lesson to make sure you’re searching your new name properly: PA LLC Name Search.
Leave the box underneath the blank line unchecked (the one about an “Exhibit A”).
Effective Date:
Check off “The amendment shall be effective upon filing this Certificate of Amendment in the Department of State.” This means that your Pennsylvania LLC name change becomes official on the date it is processed by the Bureau of Corporations.
Restated Certificate Supersedes Original:
Check off the last box (“The restated Certificate of Limited Partnership/Organization supersedes the original Certificate of Limited Partnership/Organization and all previous amendments thereto.”) This means the changes you are making now override your original filing. In short, this allows for the new LLC name to replace the old one.
Here’s an example of what the page will look like:
Docketing Statement:
On this page, you’ll only be entering the items which you’re changing, and leaving the rest blank.
To change your PA LLC name, all you’re going to do is enter the new name of your LLC in the “Name Change” box. You can leave all the other fields blank and then click the “Save and Continue” button:
Attachments:
In our example, we don’t need to upload any attachments, so just click the “Save and Continue” button.
Declaration & Signature:
Enter your first and last name to electronically sign this document, enter your title, and then click the “Review Filing” button.
- If you’re a member of the LLC, enter “Member” for your Title.
- If you’re a manager of the LLC, enter “Manager” for your Title.
To learn more about members vs. managers, please see Member-managed LLC vs Manager-managed LLC.
Review Filing:
Review your name change filing for accuracy and check for typos. If you need to make any changes, click the “Edit” buttons. If everything looks good, click “Proceed to Cart” at the bottom.
Shopping Cart:
A quick overview of your filing now appears in your shopping cart. Just click the “Checkout” button to go to the next step.
Make Payment:
Enter all of your billing information and click the “Make Payment” button. Congratulations! Your Pennsylvania LLC name change has been electronically filed for processing. Now you just need to wait for approval.
Pennsylvania LLC Name Change Approval (for Online Filing):
After you file your Certificate of Amendment online, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations will review and process your filing within 2 business days. After it is approved, they will return your stamped and approved Certificate of Amendment by email, and they’ll also send a copy in the mail.
You Still Have to Change Your Name in Other Places
Important: Changing your LLC name with the PA Bureau of Corporations still leaves your old LLC name in place everywhere else. Essentially, you’ve only changed your PA LLC with the state and it’s your responsibility to change it and update it everywhere else.
How to change your LLC name with the IRS
Once you receive back a copy of your Certificate of Amendment from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations, you’ll then need to update your LLC name with the IRS.
We have instructions here: how to change LLC name with IRS
You Don’t Need to Notify the PA Department of Revenue
In most other states, if you change your LLC name, you’d also have to notify the governing tax agency. In Pennsylvania, this is not the case for name changes.
By submitting the ‘Docketing Statement – Changes’, it gets forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and that takes care of that!
Other Places To Update Your LLC Name
Besides updating your PA LLC name with the IRS, you’ll also want to contact the following places and let them know about the change.
Helpful tip: We recommend making a spreadsheet to keep track of everything. Enter the place you are changing your LLC name, their phone number, and a ‘notes’ section. After you successfully change your name, highlight the cell(s) and mark them green. Mark everything that still needs to be changed in orange. This will help keep your sanity.
There may be more, but here are some places to notify about your LLC name change:
- business bank account
- business debit card
- business checks
- paypal or other online banking solutions
- commercial registered agent (if applicable)
- business credit cards
- local tax office (city, county, township)
- business licenses and permits
- website, domain registrar, hosting company
- utility companies
- letterhead, logos, invoices, contracts, and important documents
- accountant
- attorney
- online account registrations
- anywhere else you do business
And we also recommend contacting your accountant or tax professional as there may be other tax offices to change your PA LLC name with.
Stay calm: Don’t stress out thinking you have to change your Pennsylvania LLC name everywhere right away or all hell will break loose! That’s not the case lol. Take your time and do the important ones first. Give yourself a few days or a few weeks to get them all done. Technically, your old PA LLC name will still “work” for quite some time.
Banking tip: You don’t have to order new checks right away. Your old checks will still work, but we recommend contacting your bank to see what they recommend.
Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations Contact Info
If you have any questions, please contact the PA Bureau of Corporations & Charitable Organizations at 717-787-1057.
References
Business name change with the IRS
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue name change
Section 8822 – Amendment or restatement of Certificate of Organization
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
The information you provided was extremely helpful. Your step-by-step instructions were easy to follow and specific, saving me time and money.
Hey Lou, very happy to hear. You’re welcome! Thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for your step-by-step instructions on how to easily change the name and address of my LLC. I have one question though. Does changing the name and address with the Pennsylvania Department of State also trigger them to change the name and address on my Sales Tax ID number, or do I need to fill out more paperwork to change that? Thanks so much
Hi Karen, you’re very welcome. No, the name change with the Corporation Bureau does not trigger a name change anywhere else. You’ll need to contact the PA Department of Revenue regarding your Sales Tax ID Number. You can find the form and instructions here. Hope that helps.
Thank you Matt for the easy break down. I tried using PA’s site before but I was looking in the wrong areas. This helped tremendously. I will be changing our name along with a member. If you would not mind sharing – A member has already set in writing his removal. Would removing his ownership from the certificate be the same process as the name change? Thank you!
Hey Isaac, thanks for your comment. Glad we could help. In PA, the Member’s info is not listed in the Certificate of Organization, so your changes would just be “internal” (you don’t have to file a Certificate of Amendment). You’d amend your Operating Agreement (or make a new one) and also sign a Resolution about the member stepping down. On what section of the Certificate of Organization is this person’s information?
Hi Matt, Thank you for your helpful information. I had a similar issue. I am not sure if we need to notify PA state if we had change of ownership internally.
Hi JJ, you don’t need to notify the PA Bureau of Corporations (since LLC Members aren’t listed on the Certificate of Organization), but you’ll likely need to update PA Department of Revenue. And you’ll want to update the IRS as well. We’ll have more clear steps on how to do this in the future, but are working on other content and lessons currently. Hope that helps.
Wow, thanks so freakin much for this awesome guide!!!
Was such a huge pain trying to figure this out but you laid everything out perfectly.
Genuinely appreciate it!!!!
Hey Thomas, thanks so freakin’ much for your awesome comment!! Comments like your just keep up motivated to make even more helpful LLC guides! I really appreciate you chiming in :-)
Thank you Matt for getting back. Everything got squared away with the exiting partner. I do have one last question. One of our entities is a Limited Partnership with Delaware, domiciled in PA. I am notifying the IRS of the name change. Do you think they will need to confirm the name change confirmation with both states or just Delaware? Thank you Matt
Hi Isaac, since it’s a Delaware LP, you’re likely okay to just include the DE confirmation of name change when you submit your letter to the IRS.
Thank you Matt for your help. Just waiting to receive that and I will be sending that out. Thank you again for your help.
Hey Issac, of course! You’re very welcome.
Your information has been very helpful. Especially the part on amending an LLC. I do have a question though. Our client is changing the name of his LLC. I’ve prepared the Amendment and Docketing Statement. Once those are approved he would still like to use the old LLC name as a DBA LLC. Is this possible? And, if so, how would I fill out the Registration of Fictitious Name if the DBA LLC name already exists in the system?
Hey Kristi, glad the guide has been helpful. Most states don’t allow for a DBA name to include a corporate designator, such as “LLC”, but PA is unique in that it does. However, the filing will be rejected because of the name conflict. What you’ll need to do, is along with your PA Registration of Fictitious Name, also a file a Consent to Appropriation of Name. Under #5 (“The consenting association is…”), check off the first option: “About to change its name”. Hope that helps!
Matt, That was very helpful. As it turns out, they won’t be “d/b/a” so it isn’t a problem after all. Thanks again. Kristi
Awesome! You’re very welcome Kristi :)
AMAZING INFO!!!! Walked me through step by step. Will definitely use services in the future!! Thanks sooooo much!
You’re very welcome Lisa! Thank you for the lovely comment :)
I have registered my business name. Can I use the name on letterhead and other official documents without attaching the LLC? Or do i need a DBA with the same name, just without the LLC?
Hi Lisa, it’s best to use the full legal name of the LLC (including the designator) so people know they are dealing with a legal entity. If you want to operate without using the “LLC”, you’ll want to file a Fictitious Name in PA. Hope that helps.
Matt,
Your site was extremely helpful for helping me determine if I should set up another LLC or simply establish a DBA. Keep up the great work!!
Wishing you continued success,
Mike
Hi Mike, that’s great to hear! Thank you so much!!
Hello Matt. You’re break down of this was completely amazing. Really helped to get where I am now. I do have a few questions though. My mother and I bought an already established business. When filing the cert. of amend. Who files and signs, the former owner or us? ( the name is not changing) Second question is; does this certify that we are the new owners of this Business entity with PA?
Hi Dani, thank you very much! Glad to hear that. Any authorized person can sign the Certificate of Amendment. No, by default, LLC Members are not listed on the original Certificate of Organization and therefore Members can’t be added/removed via a Certificate of Amendment. If you’re buying a business, there should be a contract in place. Additionally, you’ll want an Assignment of LLC Membership Interest, where the prior Member(s) sell their shares of interest in the LLC to you and your mother. Additionally, the Operating Agreement would be amended. Additional contracts/agreement may also be needed/helpful.
Having said that, if you’re not working with an attorney on this transaction, it’s strongly recommended. You can buy the business without taking over the LLC. Meaning, you could just form a new LLC and acquire the assets of the business (without buying LLC membership interest). Taking over the LLC, means you take on all its assets and liabilities. Do you know if there are judgments against the LLC? Meaning, if the company has debt, it could now be your responsibility. Well, not you personally. But it’ll be attached to the LLC, which you’d then be a Member of. There may be other ways to structure the deal, too. But based on your message, it sounds like you’re trying to DIY the whole thing and it sounds a bit risky since you were trying to do it via the Certificate of Amendment… which does nothing as far as transfer LLC membership interest. Hope I don’t sound rude :) Just sharing some details that are hopefully helpful for you.
Hi! I would like to know if you have an example of filing for statement of correction? I just need to remove the period in my business name not necessarily changing the name completely.
Hi Anyae, we don’t at this time. Is the period in the designator (L.L.C.) or elsewhere in the name?
Hi! No it’s in the name part not the LLC
Thank you Anyae. In the Statement of Correction, #4 is where you’d make the correction. You can write this:
Certificate of Organization (DSCB:15-8821, filed XX/XX/2020). The LLC name was filed as The Incorrect Name and it should be corrected to Your Corrected Name, LLC.
For #3, you can enter “15 Pa.C.S., Section 8821”.
For #5, you can check off the middle box (The original document to which this statement relates shall be deemed re-executed.)
Hope that helps :)
My business name required approval from the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists in order to use the word “engineering” in the business name. If I am trying to change to a new name which also includes the word “engineering” will my previous approval be sufficient, or is there an additional step to the name change process that I need to employ?
Hi Anthony, we recommend contacting the State Board to confirm, however, I believe the approval should include the entire name.
Hi Matt
I don’t need to change my business name but my business address changed…do I have to update it with the PA Bureau?
Hi Neel, please see this page: Pennsylvania LLC Change of Address (this will change your LLC address with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations). To change your LLC address with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, you’ll need to file Form REV-854. Here is the mailing address: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: Where do I mail the REV-854. Hope that helps!
Thank you
Great information! I was wondering if when I file for a name change for my LLC if I could change the owner of my LLC at the same time? I’m also unsure what needs done for this. I’m looking to establish a holding entity and have two sub LLC companies under it. I currently have one LLC that I just want to change the name of to pertain more specifically to the type of business and I want it to be owned by the soon to be established holding company.
Hi Kayla, thank you! Ownership changes to a Pennsylvania LLC are private, meaning, there isn’t anything to file with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations. You’d sign an Assignment of LLC Membership Interest (we don’t provide this form at this time) and that would transfer your ownership to the holding company LLC. You’ll also want to amend the LLC’s Operating Agreement. Hope that helps.