How to Look Up a Fictitious Business Name in PA: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

Every business owner in Pennsylvania who want to conduct business under a different name than their own must file a fictitious business name application, generally referred to as a DBA (Doing Business As). A DBA is a legal designation for a company that is doing business under a name other than the owner’s legal name. If you wish to conduct business in Pennsylvania using a fictitious name, you must apply for a DBA. How to look up a fictitious business name in Pennsylvania is as follows:

All registered fictitious business names in the state of Pennsylvania must be listed in a database that is kept up to date by the Pennsylvania Department of State. Visit the department’s website and select the “Corporations” option to access the database. Choose “Business Entity Search” from there and type the name of the company you wish to look for.

Enter the name of the company you’re looking for in the “Entity Name” section after you’ve reached the business entity search page. If you’re unsure of the precise name, try typing a variation of it or leaving the field empty before selecting “Search.” The search results will show every company that has the same name as the one you entered.

Step 3: Examine the search outcomes Look through the search results to locate the company you’re searching for. The business name, entity type, status, and registration date are all displayed in the search results. The company you’re looking for might not be registered in Pennsylvania or might be doing business under a different name if it is not listed. Does Pennsylvania Require a DBA? You must apply for a fictitious business name, often known as a DBA, if you wish to run a business under a name other than your own. Pennsylvania law requires this, and refusal to register can lead to penalties and fines.

Depending on the manner of application, the processing period for a fictitious company name registration varies. The processing time for online applications is up to 7 business days. The processing time for applications sent by mail is up to 15 business days.

In Pennsylvania, applying for a DBA costs $70. This cost must be paid at the time of registration and is not refundable.

A fictitious name is used to enable companies to trade under a name other than the owner’s legal identity. This is useful for companies who wish to establish a brand identity or use a name that more accurately describes their goods or services. A registered fictitious name safeguards the public by making it possible to identify a company’s owner and hold them responsible for their deeds.