Choose a Corporate Structure. Incorporating means starting a corporation. Check Name Availability. Appoint a Registered Agent. File Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation. Publish Incorporation. Establish Bylaws & Corporate Records. Appoint Initial Directors. Hold Organizational Meeting.
For detailed formation steps, see our Pennsylvania Corporation formation guide. Step 1 – Name Your Corporation. Step 2 – Appoint Directors. Step 3 – Choose a Pennsylvania Registered Office. Step 4 – File the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation and Docketing Statement. Step 5 – Create Corporate Bylaws.
Incorporating yourself means setting up your business as a distinct legal entity, such as a corporation. As of 2023, there were more than 33 million small businesses in the US. Incorporating protects your personal assets, so if the business runs into trouble, your personal property and savings aren't at risk.
In Pennsylvania, a corporation need not adopt bylaws at its formation, but bylaws are sometimes adopted by the incorporator or board of directors at formation or a later time.
Pennsylvania Corporate Name. The name must contain either the word or the abbreviation of "Corporation," "Company," Incorporated" or "Limited." The name must be distinguishable from that of any domestic or foreign corporation registered in the state. Director information. Requirements for the Articles of Incorporation.
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
No. Corporations are formed and fictitious names are registered by filings made with the Corporation Bureau. You should, however, contact your local county, township, city, or borough for additional licensing requirements that may apply to your business.
Publication of either the intent to file or the actual filing of Articles of Incorporation must be made in two newspapers of general circulation, one a legal journal, if possible. Proofs of the advertising are not required to be sent to the Bureau but should be filed with the minutes of the corporation.