Did you know that Pennsylvania is the sixth largest economy in the US with a $915 billion GDP? This makes the state a force to be reckoned with, with ample opportunities to be successful.
Those who want to become business owners may see Pennsylvania as a wonderful starting point. And thankfully, you can establish companies in states without having to reside in them. So if you’re not a Pennsylvania resident, you can still set up your dream business here!
But before you do that, perform a Pennsylvania business entity search first. Here are several methods you can use to find out if a name’s already taken.
Do a Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Entity Search
Typically, the Secretary of State is in charge of business records, and Pennsylvania is no exception. This means that one of the best ways to carry out a business search in PA is to use their website.
Navigate to the Pennsylvania business entity search page to start. The basic search is very straightforward since all you have to do is type in the business name or file number, and then click on the magnifying glass to search their records.
However, if you want to narrow things down further, you can click on “Advanced.” This brings up the option to choose between “Contains” and “Starts with.” You can also pick the filing type and status, which have drop-down menus.
Lastly, you can fill in the filing date for start and end if you want. That’s the end of the form, and you can click on “Search.”
If there are hits, you’ll see them on the results page. In addition to their names, you’ll see the initial filing date, status, entity type, area formed in, and address.
You can click on any of the names to find out more about a specific company. Not only can you view history, but you can also see the filing type, principal address, and interested individuals.
Check With a Search Engine
If you aren’t able to access the Secretary of State’s site, or you just want to double-check the information, then you can do a Pennsylvania business search by utilizing a search engine. Just type in the name you want for your company, along with “Pennsylvania.” You can also add a city name (or multiple) to be extra thorough.
Go through the search results to see if any names are identical or very similar. And while you’re at it, check for free domain names and social media handles. Reserving them now will allow you to keep your branding consistent across multiple channels.
Use Our Company Name Search Tool
We at Business Anywhere have a free business registration service you can use. You just pay the state fees, as well as any additional services you want, such as an employer identification number (EIN) application. This can make life so much easier, as you won’t have to worry about all the paperwork.
In addition, we have a company name search tool on the same page that carries out a state of Pennsylvania business entity search, as well as a nationwide one. It’s located at the top, and it’s intuitive to use as well. Type in the desired business name, then select LLC, corporation, or PLLC.
After you hit “check availability,” we’ll immediately tell you if that name is free. At this point, you have no obligation to use our services, but if you want to, you can fill in your details and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Try a Pennsylvania Business Entity Search First
Before you start a company in the state, do a Pennsylvania business entity search first. It’s very possible that someone has the same type of creativity you do, and they might’ve snatched your desired business name already.
So always double-check and be certain before registering a company name. This ensures that you won’t face any costly lawsuits in the future, which can then cause a complete closure.
Sign up with Business Anywhere now to use our free business registration service. We have an easy-to-use interface where you can manage all services in one.
