Online Filing Now Available in Pennsylvania

Beginning October 8^th, the Pennsylvania Department of State is launching online filing services for Pennsylvania professional license holders, corporations, and other business entities.

Businesses incorporating in Pennsylvania, and those obtaining business licenses, can use the online filing service in order to register and to conduct business quickly and more easily.

The Pennsylvania Department of State consists of the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, and the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. They estimate that over 90% of state forms are now available and able to be completed and filed online.

By December, the state anticipates over 200 forms will be available for online filing.

The road’s wide open for PA businesses!

How to Incorporate or Obtain a Business License in Pennsylvania:

With the online filing system, you must create a user account through the Department of State’s website.

All fees remain the same, and the information required has not changed. Therefore, your business must still plan and prepare as before.

What has changed is that the process is easier, and much quicker.

Pennsylvania currently processes mailed requests in 2-3 weeks. The new online filing service “allows documents to be processed in as little as one hour,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele.

Lastly, a majority of filings are available online, but not ALL filings. Check with us, or the state, to see whether you’re eligible for online filing.

What Does This Mean for My Business?

Online filing is generally a huge convenience, and we’re happy to see it finally available here in the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania is notoriously strict with its examinations of paper filings, and we have yet to see whether the state will maintain the same scrutiny with online filings.

Nevertheless, the prospect of having an approved filing in less than an hour is very exciting. It’s a great time to start a business in Pennsylvania. When you’re ready to get started, visit our incorporation page, and we’d be happy to help.

UPDATE, 10/20/2014: Since the time of publishing this article, we’ve used this system for several clients. Only domestic entities can file online. Foreign entities must use paper filing.

Here is a list of filings currently available:

The state quoted “an hour” processing time, which at the moment is not even close. New LLCs are being approved in about 3-5 business days. That number may be reduced as time goes on. Nevertheless, filing online takes about 10 minutes. As we submit more filings, we’ll update you with current processing times.