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Pennsylvania LLC Formation — Certificate of Organization Worksheet and Operating Agreement Starter

Free legal self-help guide for Pennsylvania residents. This packet provides LSC-grade legal information to help you understand your rights and navigate the court system.

Pennsylvania LLC Formation — Certificate of Organization Worksheet and Operating Agreement Starter

This document packet is jurisdiction-specific legal information for preparing a Pennsylvania limited liability company formation filing and related internal records. Does not constitute legal advice.


Filing Layer

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations

Filing: Certificate of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company

Entity Type: Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company

Primary Authority: 15 Pa.C.S. § 8821

Related Authority: 15 Pa.C.S. § 8815; 15 Pa.C.S. § 8825; 15 Pa.C.S. § 8847


1. Formation Intake

LLC Name: [PROPOSED LLC NAME]

Business Purpose: [GENERAL LAWFUL BUSINESS PURPOSE]

Registered Office Address: [PA STREET ADDRESS]

Commercial Registered Office Provider, if any: [CROP NAME]

Principal Business Address: [STREET, CITY, PA ZIP]

Mailing Address, if different: [STREET, CITY, STATE ZIP]

County: [COUNTY]

Effective Date: [IMMEDIATE / FUTURE DATE]

Restricted Professional Company: [YES / NO]

Benefit Company Election: [YES / NO]


2. Registered Office

Under 15 Pa.C.S. § 8825, a Pennsylvania LLC must maintain a registered office or use a commercial registered office provider.

Select one:

[ ] Registered office street address in Pennsylvania

[ ] Commercial Registered Office Provider

Registered Office Address: [PA STREET ADDRESS]

City: [CITY]

State: Pennsylvania

ZIP: [ZIP]

Commercial Registered Office Provider: [NAME]


3. Organizer and Member Information

Organizer Name: [ORGANIZER FULL NAME]

Organizer Address: [ADDRESS]

Organizer Email: [EMAIL]

Organizer Phone: [PHONE]

Initial Member 1: [FULL LEGAL NAME]

Address: [ADDRESS]

Ownership Percentage / Units: [PERCENTAGE OR UNITS]

Capital Contribution: [$ / PROPERTY / SERVICES]

Initial Member 2: [FULL LEGAL NAME]

Address: [ADDRESS]

Ownership Percentage / Units: [PERCENTAGE OR UNITS]

Capital Contribution: [$ / PROPERTY / SERVICES]

Add additional members as needed.


4. Management Structure

Select one:

[ ] Member-managed LLC

[ ] Manager-managed LLC

If manager-managed:

Manager Name: [MANAGER FULL NAME]

Manager Address: [ADDRESS]

Manager Authority Limits, if any: [LIMITS]

Operating Agreement Note:

15 Pa.C.S. § 8815 recognizes operating agreements governing relations among members, managers, and the LLC. Keep the signed operating agreement with company records. It is not typically filed with the Department of State.


5. Pennsylvania Certificate of Organization Filing Checklist

[ ] Confirm LLC name availability with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

[ ] Confirm the name contains an LLC designator such as "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC."

[ ] Gather registered office or CROP information.

[ ] Prepare Certificate of Organization.

[ ] Prepare docketing statement if required by Department of State process.

[ ] File with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

[ ] Save filed certificate and entity number.

[ ] Obtain EIN from IRS if needed for banking, hiring, or tax reporting.

[ ] Prepare and sign operating agreement.

[ ] Check state, county, municipal, and industry license requirements.

[ ] Calendar annual report obligations under 15 Pa.C.S. § 8847.


6. Operating Agreement Starter Terms

Company Name: [LLC NAME]

Formation State: Pennsylvania

Formation Date: [DATE]

Principal Office: [ADDRESS]

Business Purpose: [PURPOSE]

Management: [MEMBER-MANAGED / MANAGER-MANAGED]

Tax Classification: [DEFAULT / PARTNERSHIP / S-CORP ELECTION IF FILED]

Banking Authority: [AUTHORIZED PERSONS]

Records Location: [ADDRESS / DIGITAL REPOSITORY]

Fiscal Year: [CALENDAR YEAR / OTHER]

Member Voting:

[ ] By ownership percentage

[ ] One member, one vote

[ ] Other: [DEFINE]

Major Decisions Requiring Consent:

[ ] Admit new member

[ ] Sell substantially all company assets

[ ] Borrow above $[AMOUNT]

[ ] Amend operating agreement

[ ] Dissolve company


7. Signature Block

Organizer Certification:

I verify that the information entered in this worksheet is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and is intended for preparation of a Pennsylvania business formation filing. I understand that false statements herein may be subject to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities where applicable.

Date: _______________

Organizer Signature: ______________________________

Printed Name: [ORGANIZER NAME]

Member Acknowledgment:

I acknowledge receipt of this Pennsylvania LLC formation packet and understand that it provides jurisdiction-specific legal information and document templates. Does not constitute legal advice.

Date: _______________

Member Signature: ______________________________

Printed Name: [MEMBER NAME]


Filing Notes

Pennsylvania LLC formation filings are submitted to the Department of State, not the Court of Common Pleas. Pa.R.C.P. 204.1 first-page court-caption formatting is not the filing standard for this state-agency business formation filing.

Templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

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