FormedIn

Pennsylvania Department of State

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Pennsylvania?

Forming an LLC in Pennsylvania means filing the Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type
LLCCorporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

First-year government fees — Pennsylvania LLC

$125

First-year government fees for a Pennsylvania LLC: $125

Official state fees

Certificate of Organization filing fee$125

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report feeDue by September 30 each year, beginning the calendar year after formation$7 / yr

≈ $7/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$153
Estimated total (5 yrs)$153

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Pennsylvania, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Pennsylvania LLC
FeeAmountScheduleType
Certificate of Organization filing fee$125One-timeOfficial state fee
Recurring & conditional obligations — Pennsylvania LLC
FeeAmountScheduleType
Annual report fee

Pennsylvania's annual report requirement began in 2025, replacing the old decennial report.

$7AnnualDue by September 30 each year, beginning the calendar year after formationOfficial state fee

Filing process & processing times

File online through Business Filing Services. LLCs have no advertising requirement.

Processing options for Pennsylvania LLC filings
OptionTypical turnaroundAdded feeNotes
Standard processing5–15 business daysNoneOnline filings are processed faster than paper; the Department posts current times

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Pennsylvania LLCmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania's new annual report costs just $7 but is easy to miss — it only began in 2025, and missed filings will eventually lead to administrative dissolution.
  • Only corporations must advertise formation in two newspapers; LLCs are exempt. Pennsylvania uses 'commercial registered office provider' instead of the usual registered-agent model.

Pennsylvania LLC cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Department of State charges $125 to file the Certificate of Organization. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania LLCs generally must pay the annual report fee of $7 per year (due by September 30 each year, beginning the calendar year after formation).

How long does it take to form an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Standard processing generally takes about 5–15 business days. Pennsylvania does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Every Pennsylvania LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

When is the Pennsylvania annual report fee due?

Due by September 30 each year, beginning the calendar year after formation. Pennsylvania's annual report requirement began in 2025, replacing the old decennial report. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees or administrative dissolution, so put the date on your compliance calendar.

What this page doesn't cover

  • Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
  • Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
  • Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
  • Whether an LLC — or Pennsylvania — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Pennsylvania data last verified July 12, 2026.

Keep going