How to search Pennsylvania business entities online

Pennsylvania business entity records are searchable at file.dos.pa.gov/search/business, operated by the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. The old search URL at corporations.pa.gov no longer resolves — that domain is retired. All business entity filing and searching now routes through file.dos.pa.gov.

What the search covers

The database covers domestic and foreign LLCs, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships, LLPs, limited liability limited partnerships (LLLPs), professional corporations, benefit corporations, and cooperative corporations. Charitable organization registrations are handled by the same bureau and are searchable through a separate tool.

Search options

Searches are available by:

• Entity Name — partial and full name matching; case-insensitive
• Entity Number — the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations identifier
• Officer / Director Name — available for some entity types

Results show the entity name, type, status, date of filing, registered office address, and links to filed documents. Clicking an entity opens the record with document history going back to the original formation filing.

Pennsylvania's "Subsistence Certificate" — not "Good Standing"

Pennsylvania uses different terminology for what most states call a Certificate of Good Standing. For domestic entities, the correct term is a Subsistence Certificate. For foreign (out-of-state) entities registered in Pennsylvania, it is a Certificate of Registration. When a contracting party, lender, or foreign government asks for a "good standing certificate," request a Subsistence Certificate from the Bureau of Corporations. The fee is $40.

Payment — no cash accepted

The Bureau of Corporations does not accept cash for any filing. Standard in-person and mail filings are paid by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Credit cards are accepted only for expedited filings processed at the counter. Plan payment method accordingly before filing in person.

This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of State or any state agency. Verify current procedures at dos.pa.gov — Business. Source: Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Corporations, verified May 2026.