Pennsylvania Secretary of State

The Pennsylvania Secretary of State (SOS) is an officer overseeing election processes and keeping state records. The SOS is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The duties include the protection of the public’s welfare, health, and safety. In general, the office performs numerous functions. For example, it issues licenses to professionals and deals with finance and operations.

Several departments are dealing with various issues. They include an athletic commission and five bureaus dealing with:  

• Corporations and Charitable Organizations

• Finance and Operations

• Enforcement and Investigation

• Professional and Occupational Affairs

• Commissions, Elections, and Legislation

This article will offer detailed information about the first division. To explain, this Bureau is dealing with all commercial filings.

Business & Charities

This department contains data about over 3 million entities. Thus, it is a centralized office for financial statements. Anyone thinking about opening a company has to file with the Bureau. In addition, it oversees the registration of charities.

Online Services

The website of the Pennsylvania Secretary of State allows filing the business online. In addition, the filing portal enables one to conduct a lookup and order records. It represents a hub where all records are accumulated. For example, you may file Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements here.

Order Certificates

The online portal is also a big database. In other words, it may find any document or certificate you need. The department is working to digitize its corporate database. However, there might be some documents that are unavailable immediately. Therefore, the applicant may wait for five business days. The fee for this service is $3 per page.

UCC Search

A company submits a UCC financing statement to notify the interested parties that they have an interest in the debtor’s personal property. This statement represents a legal form. The applicant uses the SOS portal to file a UCC financing statement or an amendment to it.  

To proceed, you need to create an account with Keystone Login. It is an account management system for SOS online services.

Moreover, there is also a free UCC search. It enables one to search by a number. However, there are advanced filters as well. This works in case you know the debtor’s name or secured party name. 

The detailed results appear immediately. In particular, they show the debtor, a file number, a lapse date, and other details.  

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Business Search

Entrepreneurs willing to open a new LLC or corporation often use lookups. First, they need to know which trademark is available. This is also a good option to discover the competitors. On the positive side, the Pennsylvania online lookup tools are free of charge.

There are several tools. As mentioned above, entrepreneurs can receive records about UCCs. Another tool provides full information about companies. The next is focused on trademarks. Let’s see how it works.

Business 

The entities provide records to the SOS department. Thus, it bears no responsibility for the accuracy of data. It is possible to conduct a lookup by name or file number. The results contain company type, address, and other details. In particular, one can see if the status is active or not.

Trademarks 

The same procedure works for trademarks. The applicants may use advanced filters to search for active trademarks only.

Information on Corporation or Entity 

Another option is to receive information through customer service. However, the number of attempts is limited. They provide two entities per call. In this case, you need to submit the correct name and number. 

The Bureau is unable to give officers’ addresses or phones. Besides, tax information is also unavailable.  

By Telephone 

Customer support shares data about active companies. It is also possible to make inquiries regarding newly submitted filings. The applicant can reach them by calling (717) 787-1057.  The telephone line works from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

By Mail

The division accepts written inquiries. A written application for a lookup costs $15 per entity. As a result, you will get a complete filing history. 

The letters are submitted to 8722, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722.

Contacts  

As seen above, most of the services of the Bureau are available on the website. In case of inquiries, you can reach out to the office:

401 North Street Harrisburg, 17120

Phone: (717) 787-1057

[email protected]