How To Do A Pennsylvania Business Name Search

If you are forming an LLC or a corporation in Pennsylvania, the first thing you need to do is a business name search.  This search checks all the registered business entities in the state to see if the business name you want to use is available.  Like all other states, the state of Pennsylvania requires each LLC or corporation registered in the state to have a unique business name.  So, before starting your business, it’s important to run a business entity search to verify if the name is available through the Pennsylvania Department of State before registering your LLC or Corporation.  There is no fee to search.

Also See: Guide to Starting a Business in Pennsylvania

Steps For Searching Corporation and LLC Names In Pennsylvania

Step 1: Visit the Pennsylvania Entity Name Database

Go to the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

Step 2: Search your Business Name

Enter the name you would like to use in the “Business Entity Name / ID” field.  In this example, we will look up “Lawn & Order” and click “Name Availability Check.”  It is recommended to search by “Starting With,” “Any Words,” and “Sounds Like” in the drop-down menu to search your name thoroughly. Checking the “Only Active Corporations” will limit the search to only entities that are in good standing with the state.

Step 3: Review Results

Searching the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Lawn & Order.”  To be able to register a corporation or LLC name in Pennsylvania, the name must be distinguishable from the other names registered. If you were looking to form an LLC with this name, you wouldn’t be able to since there is already one registered.

To find more information about any of the registered business names, click on the link in the “Business Entity Name” column to see a detailed report.  In this example, we will look up “Lawn & Order LLC.”

While the name “Lawn & Order LLC” is not available, we can do an example search for one that is. This time we will look up “Cowboy Cleaners,” which brings a result that says, “No results found for search term.”  Even if the name looks like it is available, the Department of State will do its own search to avoid confusing potential customers with a business name that sounds like someone else’s.  Typically words that sound alike but are spelled differently, and even abbreviations will make names show up as available but won’t be approved.

 These are the basics of searching for a business name in Pennsylvania.  Even when the name of the business you want looks like it is available, the Department of State will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names. 

What information can be found on the Pennsylvania business entity database?

The database search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:

• Business Name
• Entity type – Corporation, Limited Liability Company. Etc.
• Status – Active means the entity is in good standing with the state, and all reports and filing fees are up to date. Inactive results may be available to register.
• Citizenship – Domestic means the business initially formed in the state. Foreign means an out-of-state entity that wants to do business in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Entity Creation Date – Date the entity was first filed with the Department of State.
• Effective Date – The date the entity first became active.
• Address – This could be the business’s physical address, or it could be an address where business records are stored.
• A copy of the Certificate of Organization and other documents can be purchased.