Pennsylvania LLC or INC business name search

Pennsylvania Business Entity Search

Forming or incorporating a new business in Pennsylvania involves several processes. The foremost process amongst them is reserving or registering your business name. This process is divided into three categories, which include the following:

• Identifying a proper business name
• Conducting a Pennsylvania business name search
• Reservation of the name if it’s available

• Choose a name that’s memorable and easy to pronounce like “Jenny’s Bakery”
• Try to keep a business name that is consistent with your brand
• Your company name should convey a purpose like “Whits PC repairs”
• Business name generators are easy to find online and are constantly available for you to use
• When you choose a business name, keep in mind the possibilities of a future business expansion
• Try not to choose a name that is similar to a competitor’s
• Your chosen name should not in any way cause trademark infringement
• Ensure that your chosen name is web-friendly and that the domain name is easily available

What is a Pennsylvania business name search?

A business name is the most important feature of any new company, and a Pennsylvania business name search can assist with this process in a meaningful way. The Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations provides an online searchable database that will help you conduct an availability search for any company name. This database also helps existing business owners and registered agents find specific records regarding particular businesses. Let’s look at an example to understand the concept and process of a Pennsylvania business name availability search.

Naming your Pennsylvania LLC

If you’ve decided to form a limited liability company in Pennsylvania, then it’s time to choose a strong company name. This will be regarded as the official and legal name of your LLC. This name will be mentioned in the certificate of organization, as well as on other important business-related documents. Hence, it’s important to ensure that the chosen name is compliant with the Pennsylvania business name rules and guidelines. You’ll also need to reserve your business name after conducting a Pennsylvania LLC name search. You can look for ideas online to help you choose a business name, or you can utilize the help of business name generators. Now, let’s look at the two focal points to consider when it comes to naming your limited liability company.

General Pennsylvania LLC naming rules

One of the most important areas to focus on when naming your limited-liability company is the Pennsylvania business name rules and guidelines. The name reservation and guidelines for an LLC are governed by the 2020 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes, Title 54 – NAMES, Chapter 5 – Corporate and Other Association Names. The general rules for an LLC name include:

• The name should have words like Limited Liability Company, or abbreviations like LLC or L.L.C.
• It may also contain a combination of words and abbreviations like “limited liability co.”, “ltd. liability company”, or “Ltd. liability co.”
• This name should be distinguishable from any other name in the Department of State database. This can be checked by conducting a Pennsylvania LLC name search.
• There are “Word Restrictions” that you will need to check before finalizing a name. The state prohibits the use of specific words like banking, trust, and realtor among others.

Pennsylvania LLC business search

Once you’ve successfully come up with a name for your LLC that complies with the Pennsylvania business name rules, the next step is to conduct an entity or name availability search. The website of the Pennsylvania Department of State offers an online option for conducting this search. The following options are available:

• Search by company name – This is the most commonly used method for the Pennsylvania LLC name search. This search can be used by both domestic and foreign entities. You can also use this search for DBA names or fictitious names. You can search for a company name that starts with a specific word or the whole name. You don’t have to search by using a designator like LLC as the database will reveal names of every entity type. Let’s look at an example to understand this process.

  Example: You want to start a bakery using the name “The Frosted Fox Cake Shop”. You can conduct the Pennsylvania business entity search by using the full name or a part of the name like “the cake shop”. The search options will reveal both specific names and all names that have the cake shop in it. The results will show that “The Frosted Fox Cake Shop” already exists. In such a scenario, if you tweak the name a little bit like “Frosted Cake Shop” then it doesn’t bring up any similar name. This shows the name as being available. Now you can simply use it in the Name Reservation form.

• Search by entity ID – This option is used by registered agents to check the status of an existing Pennsylvania LLC, as each company formed in the state has an associated filing number.

Do you want to form an LLC in Pennsylvania?

Naming your Pennsylvania Corporation

If you’ve made the decision to incorporate a new business in the state of Pennsylvania then the first step is to choose a name for your company. Once you have selected a name that complies with the naming rules and regulations, it is essential to conduct a Pennsylvania Corporation name search. This search helps by informing you of the status of a name i.e., whether your chosen name is available for reservation and use as a legal name or not. It’s important to note that you will have to reserve the business name before filing the Articles of Incorporation. Let’s look at the various elements to consider when naming your new company.

General Pennsylvania C & S Corporation naming rules

The Pennsylvania business name rules are different for different entity structures, although they are the same for C and S Corporations. It’s important to follow the state naming guidelines as this will minimize the risk of the chosen corporate name being rejected. The naming guidelines are governed by the 2020 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes, Title 54 – NAMES, Chapter 5 – Corporate and Other Association Names. The general rules for a corporate name include:

• Whether you form a C-Corporation or elect an S-Corporation status, the name should contain words like “corporation”, “incorporated”, “limited”, or “company”.
• The name can also contain abbreviations like “corp.”, “inc.”, “co.”, or “ltd.”
• The name should be unique and distinguishable from the name of any other company operating in the state as this will aid in the Pennsylvania Corporation name search.
• You should also check the list of restricted words, especially those associated with specific professions or industries-
• If you don’t want to use your legal name or the owner’s name then you can even opt for a DBA (doing business as) name also known as a fictitious name.

Pennsylvania Corporation Business Search

Once you’ve chosen a name for your corporation, the next step is to conduct a Pennsylvania Corporation name search. The website of the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations offers access to conduct a Pennsylvania business name availability search. The entity search online can be carried out by using a specific name and entity ID.

• Search by corporate name – This is the most commonly used method for a Pennsylvania Corporation name search. This type of search can be used for corporate names as well as fictitious names or business names. This name availability search option can be used by both domestic and foreign C and S Corporations. You don’t have to search by using a designator like Inc. or Corp., as the database will show the names of every type of entity registered or incorporated in the state along with their status such as active or expired. Let’s look at an example to understand this process.

  Example: You want to start a Software company using the name “Penn Center Systems”. You can conduct the Pennsylvania business entity search by using “Penn Center Systems” or a part of the name like “Penn Center”. The search options will reveal both specific names and all names that have these three words in various permutations and combinations. The results will show that “Penn Center Systems” already exists. In such a scenario, you can change this name a little and search again like “Penn Soft Systems”. Such a name is available and you can then reserve the chosen name. Alternatively, you can also file a DBA.

• Search by entity ID – Every entity registered or incorporated in Pennsylvania has an entity ID number allotted by the Pennsylvania Department of State. This Pennsylvania business entity search option is normally used for searching C and S corporations that are already listed in the database irrespective of their status.

Are you thinking of registering a Corporation in Pennsylvania?

Need any Assistance with a Pennsylvania Business Name Search?

A business name or a corporate name is the most important identifier for any type of company. It helps create the first impression amongst customers and is also required for carrying out all business related work and documentation. Hence, it’s important to choose the right name for your company and a Pennsylvania business name search will help you achieve this. If this process looks tedious then IncParadise can provide meaningful assistance.