Corp USA Pennsylvania · Local formation
Form a Pennsylvania LLC or C-Corporation in Philadelphia County
Form a Pennsylvania LLC ($125 state + $149 Basic = $274 total) or Business Corporation ($274 total) in Philadelphia County with the PA Department of State (PennFile). County seat Philadelphia; designated legal journal: The Legal Intelligencer. PA Corporations publish formation notice in two newspapers (one being the County Legal Journal) under 15 Pa.C.S. § 1307; LLCs require zero publication. Fictitious names with an individual party publish under 54 Pa.C.S. § 311(g).
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Business in Philadelphia County
Commercial corridors
Philadelphia County commercial corridors and Philadelphia County business hubs.
Local business sectors
County seat Philadelphia; designated legal journal: The Legal Intelligencer. PA Corporations publish formation notice in two newspapers (one being the County Legal Journal) under 15 Pa.C.S. § 1307; LLCs require zero publication. Fictitious names with an individual party publish under 54 Pa.C.S. § 311(g).
Entity strategy
Pennsylvania LLC for zero-publication formation and pass-through 3.07% PA income tax; Business Corporation for stock issuance (7.49% 2026 CNIT); Restricted Professional LLC for licensed professionals.
Licensing & tax review
Physical Pennsylvania operations need review of myPATH tax registration and local business privilege licensing. Out-of-state operations need their own qualification and tax review.
Trade Name / DBA — Philadelphia
Philadelphia County Prothonotary / The Legal Intelligencer
City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Pennsylvania fictitious names register with the PA Department of State on Form DSCB:54-311 ($70) under 54 Pa.C.S. § 311. Publication in two newspapers is required only when an individual is a party (§ 311(g)); names owned solely by an LLC or corporation need zero publication.
Official Trade Name instructionsBusiness licensing
County seat Philadelphia; designated legal journal: The Legal Intelligencer. PA Corporations publish formation notice in two newspapers (one being the County Legal Journal) under 15 Pa.C.S. § 1307; LLCs require zero publication. Fictitious names with an individual party publish under 54 Pa.C.S. § 311(g).
Official local business informationConfirm city boundaries, zoning, home-business permits, licenses and taxes before operating.
Formation questions
LLC $274 ($125 state + $149 Basic); Business Corporation $274 ($125 state + $149 Basic). LLCs need zero newspaper publication; corporations publish in two newspapers under 15 Pa.C.S. § 1307.
Official sourceFile Form DSCB:54-311 with the PA Department of State ($70 state, $219 with service). Philadelphia County Prothonotary / The Legal Intelligencer handles local publication records.
Official sourceAct 122 Annual Report (15 Pa.C.S. § 146): $7 state fee; corporations by June 30, LLCs by September 30, LPs/LLPs by December 31.
Official source