How to look up Pennsylvania business entity information

Pennsylvania business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the Pennsylvania Department of State's free business search portal. The database provides immediate access to the essential details you need for compliance tracking or business transactions.

Below, we'll show you exactly how to search Pennsylvania's system and where to find each piece of information.

Summary table: Finding your Pennsylvania entity information

How to search for Pennsylvania business entities

Navigate to Pennsylvania's business entity search to look up any registered business by name, entity number, or registered agent. The database covers over 3 million businesses, both active and dissolved, and is available 24/7 with no account required.

Enter your business name in the search field. The system accepts partial matches, so searching "ABC" returns "ABC Industries, LLC" and similar entities. That said, for the most precise results, we advise that you use your entity name exactly as it appears. You can also search by entity number if you have it. 

Click "Advanced" to access additional filters: entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), status (Active, Inactive, Expired), and filing date ranges. You can use "Contains" or "Starts with" parameters to narrow results effectively.

You can click any entity name or number in the results to view complete details, including your entity number, formation date, registered office, and filing history.

What you'll see in search results

Search results display comprehensive entity information immediately visible:

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership, etc.)
• Entity number (7-digit format for most entities)
• Filing/formation date
• Current status (Active, Cancelled, Expired, Merged, Withdrawn)
• Jurisdiction of formation (Domestic or Foreign)
• Registered office address

How to find your entity number in Pennsylvania

Your Pennsylvania entity number is the unique identifier assigned by the Department of State when your entity was formed. Pennsylvania uses a sequential numbering system based on filing date.

Where to locate your Pennsylvania entity number

1. Pennsylvania business search (fastest method)

• Located: Displayed prominently in search results as a clickable link
• Labeled as: "Entity Number"
• Format: Unique identifier (e.g., "1234567")

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually appears at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "File Number," "Document Number," or "Entity Number"
• Stamped or printed by the Department of State

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Pennsylvania Department of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for future filings
• Referenced in compliance notifications and correspondence

Pennsylvania entity number format

Format: Unique identifier

• Example: 1234567
• Pattern note: Sequential numbering system assigned chronologically based on filing date

How to find your entity type in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania recognizes multiple business structures, each listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Pennsylvania entity type

1. Pennsylvania business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results under the entity name
• Listed as: "LLC," "Corporation," "Limited Partnership," "Limited Liability Partnership," etc.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• May state "Certificate of Organization of a Limited Liability Company" or similar
• Uses formal legal terminology

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment filing

How to find your formation date in Pennsylvania

Your formation date appears in Pennsylvania business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Incorporation.

Where your Pennsylvania formation date appears

1. Pennsylvania business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Filing Date" or "Initial Filing Date"
• Location: Displayed in search results and detailed entity view
• Format: MM/DD/YYYY

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document with Department of State filing stamp
• May include both filing date and effective date if different
• Official record of when your entity legally came into existence

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date

Formation date vs. effective date

Pennsylvania allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, creating two different dates:

• Formation date (file date): When the Pennsylvania Department of State processed your paperwork
• Effective date: When your entity officially began operations (if you specified a later date)

Take the next step with Discern

Now that you have your Pennsylvania entity details, let Discern handle the administrative burden. We automate Pennsylvania's annual report filings, manage deadline tracking, and coordinate registered agent services while you focus on running your business instead of chasing compliance paperwork.

From single-state operations to complex multi-jurisdictional structures, Discern eliminates the manual tracking that drains time and creates risk. Book a demo to see our platform in action.