If you do business with a name that is not yours, such as “Jane`s Gift Shop”, you must register the name with the state. The SBA.gov Business Licenses and Approvals search tool gives you a list of federal, state, and local permits, licenses, and registrations you need to run a business. The State of Pennsylvania does not require registration if you operate the business under your own name. So if you`re John Doe and you open the John Doe Store, you don`t need to register the name. However, if you do business under another name, such as “Jane`s Gift Shop,” you will need to register the name with the state. To find out if a name is available, visit the State Department website. Small Business Administration – PennsylvaniaState Agency IndexPennsylvania Law & Government ResourcesDepartment of General ServicesPennsylvania Code RegulationsDepartment of General Services – Company For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Department of State at (717) 787-1057. The state`s online assistant will guide you through the registration process. Or you can download the registration form for fictitious names from the state`s website. PA Business One Stop ShopBusiness LicensesDepartment of State – Bureau of CompaniesDepartment of Community and Economic Development Department of Labor and IndustryUnemployment CompensationNew Hire Register NOTE: Registering a name and checking the Pennsylvania database does not give you federal trademark protection and also means that others will not use your name in other states. If you wish to protect your name or other applicable trademarks, you should contact the U.S.

Patent and Trademark Office.