Business

Small, Small Diverse and/or Veteran Business

Here's how to become a DGS certified Small, Small Diverse and/or Veteran Business: The PA Department of General Services' Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunity handles the registration process.

General Information

Under Pennsylvania law, every proceeding for the organization of corporations, both for-profit and non-profit, and every ancillary transaction relating to such corporations is required to be filed with the department's Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Other businesses registering with the bureau include: professional corporations, municipal authorities, limited partnerships, foreign corporations qualifying to do business in the Commonwealth and individuals and corporations conducting business under an assumed or fictitious name.

The executive staff of the Department of State and the employees of the bureau are committed to providing expeditious, courteous and professional service to the business community and general public, in all phases of filing and dissemination of the important records entrusted in its care.

The bureau is the repository for the records of more than 2,400,000 companies authorized to do business in Pennsylvania. All records maintained in this office are public and may be inspected upon request.

Dissemination of the information contained on bureau records is a major function of bureau activity. Over 25,000 telephone inquiries are answered each month; approximately 260,000 photocopies are provided to the public annually; sales of new business lists, forms CD’s, and master date and image subscription services are all part of the services the bureau offers to the public.

As the official record keeper of business documents, the bureau can provide certain information on all registered businesses. The bureau typically receives in excess of 6,000 telephone calls per week, most of which are from persons either requesting information on companies or checking on the availability of entity names. The bureau does not assess a fee for telephone information. Information may also be acquired in person or by mail.

The new information-based, technology economy has businesses rethinking traditional practices because of e-commerce, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is doing the same!

Our goal is to make Pennsylvania the easiest place in the nation to start a business. Through the PA Open for Business Web site, we are doing just that - giving entrepreneurs a one-stop shop to start, sustain and expand their businesses.

The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is the go-to resource for planning, registering, operating, and growing a business in Pennsylvania. he Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is the go-to resource for planning, registering, operating, and growing a business in Pennsylvania.

Serving as the first point of contact for Pennsylvania business development concerns, the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop connects and guides businesses through all stages of development — from planning and startup to operating and expanding. Whether seeking information about registering a business, Act 32 and Local Earned Income Tax withholding, Unemployment Compensation (UC) tax, diverse business resources, and more, the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop can help provide answers to business-related questions.

With an easy-to-navigate website and backed by a team of business consultants and subject matter experts, entrepreneurs and small businesses have access to the resources, tools, and experience to help them dream big, plan for the future, and achieve their goals.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop, visit business.pa.gov.