Pennsylvania DBA (Doing Business As) Guide (2026)
In Pennsylvania a DBA is called a fictitious name and is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State for $70 - not the county. County offices (the Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, or Prothonotary) do not file DBAs. After registering, Pennsylvania requires you to publish notice of the fictitious name in two newspapers in the county of your principal place of business.
The one thing to knowPennsylvania fictitious names are filed with the Department of State, not the county, and you must then publish notice in two newspapers (one a legal journal where available) in the county of your principal place of business.
The process
- Register with the Department of State
File the Registration of Fictitious Name with the Pennsylvania Department of State (online at file.dos.pa.gov or by mail). The fee is $70.
- Publish notice in two newspapers
Pennsylvania requires publication of the fictitious name in two newspapers of general circulation in the county of your principal place of business - one a legal journal where one exists.
- Keep proof of publication
Retain proof of publication with your business records; it is not filed with the state but may be required to enforce contracts made under the name.
DBA filing by county — all 67 Pennsylvania counties
Pennsylvania counties do not file DBAs; fictitious names are registered statewide with the Department of State for $70.
| County | Where to file |
|---|---|
| Adams County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Allegheny County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Armstrong County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Beaver County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Bedford County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Berks County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Blair County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Bradford County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Bucks County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Butler County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cambria County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cameron County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Carbon County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Centre County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Chester County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Clarion County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Clearfield County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Clinton County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Columbia County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Crawford County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cumberland County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Dauphin County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Delaware County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Elk County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Erie County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Fayette County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Forest County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Franklin County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Fulton County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Greene County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Huntingdon County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Indiana County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Jefferson County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Juniata County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lackawanna County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lancaster County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lawrence County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lebanon County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lehigh County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Luzerne County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lycoming County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| McKean County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Mercer County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Mifflin County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Monroe County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Montgomery County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Montour County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Northampton County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Northumberland County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Perry County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Philadelphia County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Pike County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Potter County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Schuylkill County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Snyder County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Somerset County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Sullivan County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Susquehanna County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Tioga County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Union County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Venango County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Warren County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Washington County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Wayne County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Westmoreland County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Wyoming County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| York County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
Pennsylvania-specific details
Unlike marriage licenses, Pennsylvania DBAs (fictitious names) are handled statewide by the Department of State, not by any county row office. The $70 fee is the same across Pennsylvania.
After registering, you must publish notice of the fictitious name in two newspapers of general circulation in the county of your principal place of business (one a legal journal where available). This is a distinct step from the state filing.
What to bring
- Your desired fictitious (business) name
- The names and addresses of all owners
- Your principal place of business address
- The $70 registration fee
- A plan to publish notice in two county newspapers
Frequently asked questions
How much does a DBA cost in Pennsylvania?
The state registration fee for a fictitious name is $70, filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Where do I register a DBA in Pennsylvania?
With the Pennsylvania Department of State (online at file.dos.pa.gov or by mail), not the county. County offices do not file DBAs.
What is a DBA called in Pennsylvania?
A fictitious name. You register it with the Department of State.
Do I have to publish my Pennsylvania DBA?
Yes. After registering, you must publish notice in two newspapers of general circulation in the county of your principal place of business, one a legal journal where one exists.
Does the county Register of Wills file DBAs?
No. The Register of Wills issues marriage licenses. Fictitious names are handled by the Department of State.