Register a Foreign Corporation in Pennsylvania

Free Guide to Registering a Foreign Corporation in Pennsylvania

What does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Pennsylvania?

$250 for online filing. $250 for normal processing. $250 for non-profit.

How long does it take for the state to process the Pennsylvania Certificate of Authority?

• Online Processing: Pennsylvania processes online filings in about 10 business days.
• Normal Processing: Pennsylvania will process your mailed application in about 15 business days, plus additional time for mailing.
• In Person Processing: Hand your application in and it will be processed in about 1-2 business days, plus additional time for return mail notification.
• Expedited Services: Pennsylvania will process your application the same-day for $100, in 3 hours for $300, and within 1 hour for $1,000.

How will I get verification of qualification back from Pennsylvania?

Upon the filing of this form the applicant shall be authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and no certificate of authority will be issued to the applicant by the Department. However, you will receive a confirmation letter with an entity number and publication instructions by mail.

What forms do I file with Pennsylvania to qualify my out of State Corporation?

The Application for Certificate of Authority form, a Docketing Statement, and the filing fee are required. Additional forms may be necessary on a case-by-case basis.

What do I need from my home state?

Nothing.

Will I need an Pennsylvania registered agent for my corporation?

Yes, when you hire Northwest as your registered agent, it’s a flat rate yearly price of $125 a year. You’ll have an online account that tracks your report due dates, which states you’re registered in, when your yearly service with us is up, and any documents we receive locally for you are uploaded into your account immediately for complete viewing. If or when you get served with a lawsuit, we can email up to 4 people and your attorney at the same time for real time complete viewing of a lawsuit. You’ll receive annual report reminders. It’s the same price every year, and there are no weird fees or cancellation fees.

You’ll also see all the pre-populated forms and specific filing instructions on the thank you page, in your online account, and they are emailed to you immediately upon signing up for 1 year of registered agent service.

Does the Pennsylvania registered agent need to sign the filing?

No.

How can I file the Pennsylvania Certificate of Authority?

By mail, in person or online.

What is the state agency that accepts the out of state registration?

Pennsylvania Department of State
Corporation Bureau
PO Box 8722,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
or
401 North Street, Room 206
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Phone: (717)787-1057

Do the signatures on the Pennsylvania corporation application need to be original?

No.

Who has to sign the foreign corporation filing?

An authorized officer of the corporation must sign the form.

Are there any weird things about registering in Pennsylvania?

• A Docketing Statement form is required in addition to the Application form and the filing fee. Additional forms may also be required as noted on the instructions page of the Application form.
• Publication of either the intent to file or the actual filing of the application for certificate of authority must be made in two newspapers of general circulation, one a legal journal, if possible. Proofs of publication of such advertising should not be submitted to the Department of State, but should be filed with the minutes of the corporation.

Read more on how to publish notice of incorporation in Pennsylvania. 

Are there ongoing Pennsylvania annual report and/or initial reporting requirements?

Yes. Historically, Pennsylvania’s ongoing reporting requirement for most entities was decennial report only required every ten years. However, starting in 2025, all Pennsylvania corporations, nonprofits, non-professional LLCs, and LPs will need to file an Annual Report with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. It costs $7 for for-profit companies, $0 for nonprofits.

While you’re preparing for ongoing filings required for doing business in Pennsylvania, make sure you check out the requirements for Pennsylvania taxes as well.

What are your fees?

You’ll need to have an Pennsylvania registered agent. We charge $125 a year to act as your registered agent in Pennsylvania. It’s a flat rate, once a year fee, and includes more than other registered agents. Here’s a little more about our registered agent service.

We charge a $100 one-time filing service fee if you would like us to obtain the certificates needed from your home state, and register your company in any state you choose. We have offices in every state and can act as your registered agent and make your filings for you in any state. If you would like to register with multiple states at once, we can usually drop our filing service fee down.

Additional resources:

Pennsylvania corporation
Withdraw Pennsylvania foreign corporation
State by state foreign corporation requirements