To register a fictitious name (DBA) for your PA LLC, file Form DSCB:54-311 with the Pennsylvania Department of State and pay a $70 fee. Unlike sole proprietors, LLCs do not need to publish a newspaper notice. The registration does not expire and does not require annual renewal.
Your LLC was formed under a legal name that ends in “LLC.” But your brand name might be something different entirely. If you want to operate under a name that isn’t your LLC’s exact legal name — for marketing, signage, a second service line, or simply a cleaner customer-facing identity — you need a fictitious name registration in Pennsylvania.
What Is a Fictitious Name (DBA) in Pennsylvania?
A fictitious name is any name under which a business operates that is different from its legal registered name. In Pennsylvania, this is sometimes called a DBA (“doing business as”), an assumed name, or a trade name. The terms are interchangeable — they all refer to the same registration.
For an LLC, the legal name is the name on your Certificate of Organization, including the “LLC” suffix. If your LLC is “Carcamo Consulting LLC” but you want to do business as “Carcamo Creative,” “Carcamo Solutions,” or simply “Carcamo Consulting” (without the LLC), you need to register each of those names as fictitious names.
Common reasons PA LLC owners register fictitious names:
Does Your PA LLC Actually Need a Fictitious Name?
You do not need a fictitious name registration if you operate exclusively under your LLC’s legal name — the exact name on your Certificate of Organization, including the “LLC” suffix.
You do need one if you want to:
Pennsylvania law requires fictitious name registration before you begin using the name commercially. Operating under an unregistered fictitious name can prevent your LLC from bringing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania courts until the registration is filed and approved.
What PA LLCs Don’t Have to Do (Unlike Sole Proprietors)
This is one of the most confusing parts of DBA registration in Pennsylvania, and many guides get it wrong.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships registering a fictitious name in Pennsylvania must publish notice in two newspapers in the county where the business is located after their registration is approved. This is a publication requirement that costs $50–$150 depending on the county.
LLCs and corporations are exempt from this newspaper publication requirement. If your PA LLC registers a fictitious name, you file with the state, pay the $70 fee, and you’re done. No newspaper ads, no affidavits of publication.
How to Register a Fictitious Name for Your PA LLC
Step 1 — Check Name Availability
Before filing, search the Pennsylvania business entity database at corporations.pa.gov to confirm the fictitious name isn’t already in use by another business. While Pennsylvania does not guarantee exclusive rights to a fictitious name the way trademark does, registering a name already in active use creates confusion and potential legal exposure.
Also check:
Step 2 — Complete Form DSCB:54-311
Download the Application for Registration of Fictitious Name (Form DSCB:54-311) from the Pennsylvania Department of State website, or file online through the PA Business Filing Services portal at hub.business.pa.gov.
The form asks for:
Step 3 — Pay the $70 Fee and Submit
The filing fee is $70 for both online and mail submissions. Online filings through the Business Filing Services portal accept credit or debit cards. Mail filings require a check payable to “Department of State.”
Mail your completed form to:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
Processing time is approximately 7–10 business days for both online and mail filings. Once approved, you’ll receive a stamped copy confirming registration.
What You Can Do After Registering Your Fictitious Name
Once the registration is approved, you can legally:
Keep a copy of your approved fictitious name registration with your business records. Banks and government agencies may ask to see it when you do business under the DBA.
Naming Restrictions to Know Before You File
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| No entity suffixes | Cannot include LLC, Corp, Inc, Ltd, or similar unless it’s your actual legal structure |
| No banking terms | Cannot include “bank,” “trust company,” “savings,” or similar financial institution terms |
| No misleading government terms | Cannot imply government affiliation (e.g., “Federal,” “State,” “National”) |
| No trademark infringement | Registering the name with PA does not protect you from federal trademark claims |
Pennsylvania’s fictitious name registration does not grant trademark protection. It’s an administrative filing that makes the name part of the public record. If you want to protect your brand name from use by competitors, consider filing for a federal trademark through the USPTO.
Does a Pennsylvania Fictitious Name Expire?
No. Pennsylvania fictitious name registrations do not expire and do not require renewal. Once registered, the name remains on the state’s records indefinitely as long as you continue using it.
If you stop using the fictitious name or your LLC dissolves, you can file a Cancellation of Fictitious Name with the PA Department of State. The cancellation fee is $70. While cancellation is not legally required, it’s good practice to clean up the record and remove the name from public databases.
One LLC can register multiple fictitious names. There’s no limit — each one requires its own $70 filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pennsylvania law requires fictitious name registration before you use the name commercially. Operating under an unregistered DBA can prevent your LLC from suing in Pennsylvania courts. The registration is quick and costs $70 — there’s no good reason to skip it.
No. A fictitious name registration does not create a new LLC, corporation, or any other business entity. It simply puts on the public record that your existing LLC is doing business under that name. Contracts, tax obligations, and liabilities all remain with the underlying LLC.
The primary registration is with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Some counties historically maintained their own fictitious name records, but the state-level filing is what matters legally. Check with your county for any local requirements, though most rely on the state registration.
Pennsylvania does not guarantee exclusive rights to a fictitious name. Two businesses can technically register the same name, though this creates confusion and potential legal disputes. If your fictitious name doubles as your brand, consider filing a federal trademark to get enforceable exclusive rights.
There is no limit. One LLC can register as many fictitious names as it needs, with each registration costing $70. This is useful for LLCs operating multiple brands or service lines under a single legal entity.
No separate EIN is required for a fictitious name. A DBA is not a new entity — it operates under the LLC’s existing EIN. All income earned under the DBA is reported on the LLC’s tax return under the LLC’s EIN.
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