The short answer is no.  The state of Pennsylvania does not legally require a lawyer to form a Pennsylvania Corporation.

Our detailed Incorporation Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming a Pennsylvania Corporation.  However, if there is anything about Incorporating in Pennsylvania that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Pennsylvania lawyer, a Pennsylvania accountant, or both before you Incorporate in Pennsylvania. 

Once you have made the decision to Incorporate in Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new Pennsylvania Corporation.

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Pennsylvania Corporation before you submit your application to Incorporate in Pennsylvania.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Pennsylvania Corporation depends entirely on your business situation.  The Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Pennsylvania Company Name. Pennsylvania state law restricts the use of certain words and phrases in Corporation names.  If the word Insurance is in the Corporation name you must get approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance before the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth approves a new Corporation filing.  The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance takes around 10 days to process applications for a new Corporation name approval.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Pennsylvania Corporation is already in use by a currently active Pennsylvania Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that Corporation Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As." We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Pennsylvania Corporation is available before we submit your Incorporation filing to the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.  If necessary we can register a DBA Name in Pennsylvania for you so that you can open your new Pennsylvania business as quickly as possible.

1. Choose a name for your Pennsylvania Corporation
   
   Your Pennsylvania Corporation name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Pennsylvania Corporation name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Pennsylvania Corporation or other business entity and the name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Pennsylvania.  Your Pennsylvania Corporation name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Incorporation; and your Pennsylvania Corporation name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   Pennsylvania state law restricts the use of certain words and phrases in Corporation names.  If the word Insurance is in the Corporation name you must get approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance before the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth approves a new Corporation filing.  The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance takes around 10 days to process applications for a new Corporation name approval.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Pennsylvania Corporation because if you want to change it after you incorporate you will have to file amended Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth (and pay a fee). We will:
   • Check to make sure that your Pennsylvania Corporation name is available
   • Make sure your Pennsylvania Corporation name conforms to state of Pennsylvania regulations
   • Reserve your Pennsylvania Corporation name with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Pennsylvania Corporation
   
   Every Pennsylvania Corporation must have an address that is physically located in the state of Pennsylvania.  This address is "registered" with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Pennsylvania to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Pennsylvania Corporation is called a "Registered Agent".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Pennsylvania Corporations hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Pennsylvania or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   We can act as the official Registered Agent for your Pennsylvania Corporation.
3. Choose a Board of Directors for your Pennsylvania Corporation
   
   All Pennsylvania Corporations are required to have a Board of Directors.  Directors are the people who will set policies for your Pennsylvania Corporation and manage the business and its resources.  In the majority of small corporations directors are the owners. The Articles of Incorporation or Corporate Bylaws may define specific qualifications for Directors. 
   
   The Board of Directors is responsible for creating rules, approving budgets and distributing profits to shareholders. One of the most important duties of the Board of Directors is electing Officers for your Pennsylvania Corporation.  The same person may be a Director and an Officer at the same time.  Directors need not be residents of the state of Pennsylvania or shareholders of the Pennsylvania Corporation unless the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws require it.
   
   Normally Directors for your Pennsylvania Corporation are elected for a term of one year.  Elections are held at the annual meeting of Shareholders.  The Directors serve until the next annual Shareholders meeting.
   
   
4. Decide who will be Officers for your Pennsylvania Corporation
   
   The Board of Directors elects Officers for your Pennsylvania Corporation in accordance with the Corporate Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.  Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Corporation.  Officers handle the day to day operation of the Pennsylvania Corporation.
   
   Unless specifically prohibited by the Corporate Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation, in a Pennsylvania Corporation the same person may hold more than one Corporate Office at the same time.  However, there are certain legal affairs in which the same person cannot act in more than one capacity.
   
   One Officer - usually the Secretary - is given responsibility for preparing Minutes of Directors and Shareholders meetings and for authenticating records for the Pennsylvania Corporation. 
   
   
5. Determine how you want your Pennsylvania Corporation to be taxed
   
   The Pennsylvania Corporate Income Tax Rate is 9.99%.   You may form an S Corporation in Pennsylvania.  S Corporations may "pass through" all corporate profits to the shareholders (owners) who then pay tax at their applicable personal rate.  S Corporations do not pay any Pennsylvania Corporate Income Tax.
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Pennsylvania Corporation and include it with your Incorporation documents.
   
   Click here for more Pennsylvania Corporate Tax Information
6. File Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth
   
   In order to form a Corporation in Pennsylvania you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.  The Articles of Incorporation must include certain specific information about your Pennsylvania business. If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Pennsylvania requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Incorporation for your Pennsylvania Corporation but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Pennsylvania in order to make the changes official.
   
   
7. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Pennsylvania Corporation.  All Pennsylvania Corporations are required to have an FEIN.
   We can obtain an FEIN for your Pennsylvania Corporation.
8. Issue Stock Certificates to the Initial Shareholders
   
   Corporate stock is evidence of ownership of a Pennsylvania Corporation.  When you form your Pennsylvania Corporation, you will need to determine what type of stock and the number of shares of each type that you want to authorize.  You do not have to sell the number of shares that are authorized.  Many small Pennsylvania Corporations hold 100% of the shares.
   
   Stockholders in a Pennsylvania Corporation are entitled to voting rights or dividends of the Corporate profits or both.  Whoever owns over 50% of the stock of the Pennsylvania Corporation is able to make all Corporate business decisions.  Pennsylvania Corporations usually hold at least 51% of the corporate stock in order to retain control of the Pennsylvania Corporation.
   

1. Conduct an initial Meeting of the Board of Directors and adopt Corporate Bylaws
   
   The Board of Directors holds an initial meeting to elect Officers, authorize issuance of stock and adopt the Corporate Bylaws.  Bylaws are the internal rules of your Pennsylvania Corporation.  They are adopted by the Board of Directors and vary widely from Corporation to Corporation.  Commonly bylaws include the number of seats on the board of directors; how Directors are elected; how meetings of Directors and Shareholders are to be conducted; what Officers the Pennsylvania Corporation will have and a description of each of their duties. 
   
   As your company grows over time, you may amend your bylaws as necessary.  Bylaws generally cannot be amended by the Board of Directors unilaterally.  A vote by the majority of Stockholders of the Pennsylvania Corporation is usually required to amend the Corporate Bylaws.  Bylaws may include any rules for managing the business and conducting corporate affairs.  Almost anything may be written into the Bylaws, however, the Bylaws must not be in violation of any federal or Pennsylvania law or the Pennsylvania Corporation's Articles of Incorporation.  A copy of the Corporate Bylaws should be maintained at the Corporation's principal Pennsylvania office.
   
   
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Pennsylvania
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Pennsylvania Corporation.  Mixing personal and business funds can get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming a Pennsylvania Corporation doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  A Pennsylvania Corporation merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owners' personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Pennsylvania Corporation you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Pennsylvania Corporation vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Pennsylvania in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Pennsylvania Corporation will be selling products in Pennsylvania you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Pennsylvania state agency.  If your Pennsylvania Corporation will be selling products in Pennsylvania you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Pennsylvania sales taxes if there are any.
   
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Pennsylvania Incorporation package.
   
   
4. Hold Meetings of Shareholders and Directors of each year
   
   Every Pennsylvania Corporation must hold corporate and shareholder meetings, at least annually, and must keep minutes of each meeting on file.  A copy of the minutes is evidence that the meetings took place and includes all resolutions that were adopted.  The minutes of each meetings must be open for inspection by any Shareholder or Director.  This meeting requirement is often overlooked and comes into play when the Pennsylvania Corporation is challenged for any reason.  Keeping proper meeting minutes and documenting resolutions made and approved by the Directors is a formality that could save your Pennsylvania Corporation a lot of potential trouble.
   
   We can transcribe the minutes of any meeting of your Pennsylvania Corporation into a form that complies with all state of Pennsylvania requirements.
   
   
5. File the required Pennsylvania Professional Corporation reports
   
   The state of Pennsylvania does not require PA Corporations to file an initial Annual Report with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
   
   Every Pennsylvania Corporation is required to file a Decennial Report with the Pennsylvania Department of State once every 10 years.
   
   The Pennsylvania Corporation Decennial Reports is due at the PA Department of State by December 31, 2021 and every ten years thereafter for years ending with the numeral 1.
   
   If a Pennsylvania Corporation fails to file its required Corporation Decennial Report with the PA Department of State by the due date, that Pennsylvania Corporation will no longer have exclusive use of its PA Corporation name on or after January 1 of the year following the due date.
   
   The Pennsylvania Corporation will continue to exist but its PA Corporation name becomes available for any other Pennsylvania Corporation or LLC registering to do business in the state of Pennsylvania which may request it.
   
   
   We can fill out and file any Decennial Report with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth after your Pennsylvania Professional Corporation gets going.
   
   
   
6. Keep proper records of your Pennsylvania Corporation on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Pennsylvania Corporation:
   • Names and addresses of all Directors and Officers of the Pennsylvania Corporation
   • Articles of Incorporation for the Pennsylvania Corporation and any Amendments to them
   • Corporate Bylaws for the Pennsylvania Corporation and any Amendments to them
   • List of current shareholders of the Pennsylvania Corporation.  If shareholders change, keep a record of old shareholders and how stock was transferred.
   • Minutes of all Meetings of Shareholders and Directors
   • Copies of any Corporate Resolutions which have been adopted by the Pennsylvania Corporation
   • Copies of all tax returns and Annual Reports for the Pennsylvania Corporation for the last 3 years

In order to Incorporate in Pennsylvania you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Pennsylvania Corporation along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the Corporation office in Pennsylvania (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Pennsylvania Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• A description of the nature of the business you are planning to operate with the Pennsylvania Corporation
• The yearly tax closing month of the Pennsylvania Corporation
• Names and addresses of the initial Directors of the Pennsylvania Corporation
• The number of shares of stock that the Pennsylvania Corporation will be authorized to issue

Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Incorporate in Pennsylvania becomes part of the public record.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a new Corporation in Pennsylvania.

Processing times for new Pennsylvania Corporation applications vary depending on the work load of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation takes the state around 5-7 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Pennsylvania LLC.

We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.

In our experience 5-7 business days is the time it usually takes the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth to process a new Pennsylvania Corporation application. We get your Pennsylvania Corporation application to the PA Secretary of the Commonwealth ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Pennsylvania Corporation application process.

For an additional $150 the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth will process your application to form a new Pennsylvania Corporation by the next business day after we receive your order.

Publication of either the intent to file or the actual filing of Articles of Incorporation for a new Pennsylvania Corporation must be made in two Pennsylvania newspapers of general circulation, one a legal journal, if possible. Proofs of the advertising are not required to be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth but should be filed with the minutes of the new PA Corporation. The advertisements must contain the name of the proposed PA Corporation and a statement that the Corporation is to be or has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988.

We can take care of all your state publication requirements.

The state of Pennsylvania charges $168.00 to Incorporate in PA.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Incorporation from the PA Secretary of the Commonwealth.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you Incorporate in Pennsylvania our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Pennsylvania Corporation order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• PA Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Incorporation
• File Articles of Incorporation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Pennsylvania Corporation Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

Generally, if you are required to obtain some kind of license before you can market your skills in the state of Pennsylvania then you will most likely need to form a Pennsylvania Professional Corporation.

Attorneys, architects, engineers, public accountants, nurses and physicians, among others, may require registration as a Professional Corporation with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Depending on exactly what it is that you want to do in Pennsylvania, approval from a specific Pennsylvania state agency or board may be required before the PA Secretary of the Commonwealth will approve a new Pennsylvania Professional Corporation filing.  This could add to the total processing time for a new Pennsylvania Corporation.

You want to do business in the state of Pennsylvania but are registered as a Domestic Corporation in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Pennsylvania you must register with the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth as a Pennsylvania Foreign Corporation.  The process of registering as a Foreign Corporation in the state of Pennsylvania is called Pennsylvania Corporation Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Pennsylvania Corporation Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic Corporation in the state of Pennsylvania.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Incorporation) and Corporate Bylaws apply to your Pennsylvania Foreign Corporation.  The Board of Directors and Officers of your Domestic Corporation have the same roles in the Pennsylvania Foreign Corporation.