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Pennsylvania fictitious name publication

Pennsylvania Fictitious Name Publication Requirement

When a Pennsylvania fictitious name registration includes an individual owner, the business must publish a newspaper notice in the county where it operates. We prepare the notice, identify the correct newspapers and legal journal, place the advertisement, and provide proof of publication.

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Who must publish a Pennsylvania fictitious name notice?

A Pennsylvania fictitious name registration must be advertised when the entity registering the name includes an individual party. In practice, this means that if an individual is listed as an owner or party on the Registration of Fictitious Name form, the business must officially publish notice of its intention to file or the filing of the registration. If the registration lists only incorporated entities or other non-individual parties, the individual-party advertising requirement generally does not apply.

The notice is published in the county where the principal office or place of business is located, or will be located for a proposed business. It should be placed in two newspapers of general circulation in the county, one of which should be the legal newspaper or legal journal designated for legal notices if the county has one. If there is only one newspaper of general circulation in the county, publication in that newspaper is sufficient.

The notice is published one time in each required newspaper and may appear before or after the Application for Registration of Fictitious Name is filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Proofs of publication are not filed with the Department of State; they should be kept with the business’s permanent records.

What the published notice must include

  • The fictitious name.
  • The address, including street and number if any, of the principal office or place of business.
  • The names and respective addresses of the persons who are parties to the registration.
  • A statement that an application for registration of a fictitious name is to be or was filed under 54 Pa.C.S.
One publication, two newspapers: the notice generally runs one time in each required newspaper. We confirm whether the county has a designated legal newspaper and whether a second general circulation newspaper is required.

How we handle the publication

  1. Review the fictitious name registration information and confirm that an individual party is listed.
  2. Identify the county of the principal office or place of business and the correct general circulation newspaper and legal newspaper.
  3. Prepare the notice with the fictitious name, business address, party names and addresses, and the required Fictitious Names Act statement.
  4. Coordinate publication before or after the state filing, based on the timing of the registration.
  5. Obtain proof of publication and provide copies for the business’s permanent records.

Individual owner vs. incorporated owner

The key question is who is listed as a party to the registration. A fictitious name registration that includes an individual owner is subject to the advertising requirement. If the owner is only a corporation, LLC, or other incorporated entity, advertising is generally not required. Because the registration form and ownership structure can vary, contact our office or your attorney if you are unsure whether your registration includes an individual party.

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Official Pennsylvania resources

Pennsylvania fictitious name publication questions

A Pennsylvania fictitious name registration must be advertised when the entity registering the name includes an individual party. In practical terms, if an individual is listed as an owner or party on the Registration of Fictitious Name form, publication is required. If the registration lists only incorporated entities or other non-individual parties, advertising is generally not required.

The notice is published in two newspapers of general circulation in the county where the principal office or place of business is located, or will be located for a proposed business. One of the newspapers should be the legal newspaper or legal journal designated for the county, if one exists. If there is only one newspaper of general circulation in the county, advertisement in that newspaper is sufficient.

The notice is published one time in each required newspaper. It may appear before or after the Application for Registration of Fictitious Name is filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Proofs of publication are not submitted to the Department but should be kept with the business’s permanent records.

The notice should briefly state the fictitious name, the address of the principal office or place of business, the names and addresses of the parties to the registration, and a statement that an application for registration of a fictitious name is to be or was filed under 54 Pa.C.S. The advertisement is published under the Pennsylvania Fictitious Names Act.

The individual-party advertising requirement focuses on registrations that include an individual party. If the registration lists only incorporated entities or other non-individual parties, advertising is generally not required. Because the form and ownership structure can affect the answer, contact our office or your attorney if you are unsure.

Yes. We can review the registration information, identify the general circulation newspaper and legal newspaper for the county, prepare the required notice, place the advertisement, and provide proof of publication for the business’s records. We can also assist with the fictitious name registration itself.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Fictitious name advertising requirements, county newspapers, legal journals, and fees can change. Confirm the current requirement with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the county legal journal, or your attorney.