How to Amend Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania (2025)


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
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Amend Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation

Amending the Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania is required if you make any changes to your formed corporation. An amendment is a process through which you report the structural or any change in your corporation to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. To do so, you are required to follow a few simple steps. You need to get the amendment form, enter the details of the changes, and submit it to the appropriate address along with the amendment fee.

In this article, we have shared the process in detail. You will learn how to amend Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in easy steps. It will be helpful for you if you read the article till the end. 

What is the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?

The Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that you need to file with the Secretary of State while registering your corporation in Pennsylvania. It is similar to the Certificate of Organization you file while creating an LLC in Pennsylvania. If you already own a corporation in Pennsylvania, you must know what the Articles of Incorporation is. However, those who are not aware of this document can get all the required details from this page. The Articles of Incorporation is a set of papers that have all the information regarding your corporation and are filed with the Secretary of State. You must pay the filing fees to register your Articles of Incorporation.

This document has information related to your corporation. Details like the name of the corp, principal address, Pennsylvania Registered Agent details, corporation structure, directors, shareholders, and signature of the incorporators should be mentioned in the document. An online or offline form mentioning these details should be filed with the SOS at the time of forming your corporation. You must pay the filing fee to the state online or by check. 

Like forming an LLC, for the corporation, it takes some time to form your business in Pennsylvania after filing the documents. You can expedite the filing process by paying additional money over the filing fees. 

It is good to make changes in your Articles of Incorporation. When you change anything, specifcally the name, it brings good and bad effects to the company. Make sure the name change does not affect your revenue or status adversely.

– LLCBuddy Editorial Team

How to Amend the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation

There are three main steps to file your amendment to the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation. Before you proceed with the steps of filing the form, you must know what changes you can make in your corporation and what changes you cannot. Let’s start with the first step and some related information, 

Step 1: Determine What Changes You Need in Pennsylvania Corporation

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Updating your Articles of Incorporation periodically can be beneficial by making necessary changes. However, frequent alterations in structure or name may not be advisable. The first step involves determining which changes are needed and assessing their potential impact. Modifying aspects of your existing business can affect your revenue or client relationships, so it’s crucial to carefully consider whether the changes are truly necessary and what consequences they may bring.

An up-to-date Articles of Incorporation reflects the current status of a corporation in Pennsylvania. The key elements of your updated Articles of Incorporation may include the advantages of being a Registered Agent, the company’s contact information, and the process for receiving legal notices, among other details.

Step 2: Review the Changes You Made in the Articles of Incorporation

The subsequent step involves reviewing the changes. The Pennsylvania Secretary of State may request additional supporting documents based on the modifications made to your corporation. After finalizing the changes, you can proceed to draft the Pennsylvania corporate amendment. Consult with the SOS to determine if any other documents need to be submitted. For instance, if you are changing the business name, you might be required to submit a name change/reservation form along with the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment form.

What Can Be Changed in Articles of Incorporation

It is not easy to change things in your business. Besides, there are some restrictions in changing things in your corporation in Pennsylvania. There are things you can change, but there are things that you cannot change. I have mentioned a few points in this article that you can change above, such as the name, statement of purpose, and the number of shares issued. Now, there are things that you cannot change in the Articles of Incorporation. 

What Can not Be Changed in Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment?

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If you started a corporation in Pennsylvania, you must initially have appointed a Registered Agent. You cannot change the initial registered agent in the Articles of Incorporation Corporate Amendment. You can change it using other methods and forms available in the Pennsylvania SOS. 

Another point is the initial mailing address of your corporation cannot be changed in the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment. In this case, you can change it through other methods requiring different forms. 

The third point is the initial directors who formed the corporation in Pennsylvania. The details of the initial directors cannot be changed in the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment. There is no other way to change the directors’ details.

Step 3: File the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment

Finally, file the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment with the Secretary of State by the methods (online or offline) available. You must go through the filing process mentioned on the SOS official website before you start the filing process. You must pay the state fees for filing the Pennsylvania Corporate Amendment. 

If you are in Pennsylvania and have formed an LLC, you must file the Certificate of Amendment in Pennsylvania with the SOS if you make any changes to the limited liability company.

Why Amend Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania?

There can be several reasons why you make changes to your corporation. A business runs based on diverse components. From economic conditions to internal structures (shareholders and directors), the corporation can change many times in its life based on external or internal reasons.

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Change of Pennsylvania Corporation Name: The name of the corporation does not often change because it is the primary identity of any business. Sometimes, a spelling or the entire name requires to be changed for many reasons. In that case, the corporation has to file the amendment with the SOS mentioning the old and new names. They have to submit the business name change form with the amendment form. 

Change of Statement of Purpose: This is a document where you explain the purpose of your corporation. The purpose says that you are involved in legal and lawful activities through your business. If you are having a nonprofit, you must have a community purpose. If you change that purpose, you must file the amendment. If you change the nature of the business or the purpose of the corporation overall, then you must file an amendment.

Change in Numbers of Stocks and Shares: Finally, if you change the number of shares or stock issues in your company, then you must amend it. It can be reduced or increased if you decide to remove or add a shareholder/partner to the corporation. In that case, it must be amended with the SOS.

Penalties for Not Filing the Amendment in Pennsylvania

Now, one question arises when we talk about filing the amendment what happens if you don’t amend the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation? The answer is simple. You might have to pay heavy penalties if you do not file it. Besides, you may lose existing clients as they may not be interested in continuing to work with your company. 

They might cancel the existing contract; you might lose the bank loan or advance opportunities, or you may lose the business bank accounts for not complying with the amendment filing requirements. Hence, it is highly recommended to amend the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation. 

FAQs

What information do I need to include in the Amended Articles of Incorporation form in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you will need to provide the name of your corporation, the date of incorporation, and the specific amendments you are making.
Is there a fee for amending Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania?
Yes, there is a filing fee for amending Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania. The fee amount may vary, so it’s best to check with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Can I make multiple amendments to my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in one filing?
Yes, you can make multiple amendments to your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in one filing, as long as they are all related to the same business entity.
Do I need to provide a reason for amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
No, you do not need to provide a reason for amending your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation. It is a standard procedure for making changes to your corporate structure.
What happens after I file the Amended Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania?
Once you file the Amended Articles of Incorporation in Pennsylvania, the changes will be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of State. If approved, you will receive a stamped copy indicating the changes.
Can I amend Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation bylaws at the same time?
Yes, you can make changes to both your Articles of Incorporation and bylaws in the same filing in Pennsylvania.
Will amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation affect my corporation’s EIN?
No, amending your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation will not affect your corporation’s EIN (Employer Identification Number).
How do I go about amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
To amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation, you must file an Amendment form with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
What information do I need to provide when amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
You will need to provide your entity name, entity ID number, and the specific changes you wish to make in the Amendment form.
Are there any fees associated with amending Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
Yes, there is a filing fee required to amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation. The fee amount may vary depending on the type of changes being made.
Can I make multiple changes to my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in one amendment?
Yes, you can make multiple changes to your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in one single amendment filing.
Can I change the business address in my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
Yes, you can change the business address in your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation through an official amendment filing.
Do I need to notify the IRS when amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
Generally, an amendment to Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation does not require a separate notification to the IRS unless the change affects your tax status.
Can I change the purpose of my business in my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
Yes, you can change the purpose of your business in your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation through an official amendment filing.
How do I know if my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation are in good standing before amending them?
You can check the status of your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation online through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.
Can I change the officers and directors of my Pennsylvania corporation through an amendment?
Yes, you can change the officers and directors of your Pennsylvania corporation through an official amendment filing.
What happens if my amendment to Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation is rejected?
If your amendment to Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation is rejected, you will receive notification with details on why it was rejected.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the registered agent?
Yes, you can amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the registered agent by filing an Amendment form.
Is there a deadline for amending my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
There is no specific deadline for amending Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation, but it is recommended to make changes as soon as possible.
What happens if I fail to amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation when required?
Failing to amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation when required may result in penalties or consequences for your business.
Can I change the business name in my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation by amending them?
Yes, you can change the business name in your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation through an official amendment filing.
Do I need to publish notice of the amendment to my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation in a local newspaper?
In Pennsylvania, it is not required to publish notice of an amendment to your Articles of Incorporation in a local newspaper unless specified.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation online or do I need to file by mail?
You can file an amendment to your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation online through the Department of State’s website or by mail.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the shareholders or ownership structure?
Yes, you can amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the shareholders or ownership structure through an official filing.
Can I revert back to the original provisions of my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation after amending them?
If you wish to revert back to the original provisions of your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation, you may need to file another amendment.
Can I expedite the processing of my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation amendment filing?
Yes, you may be able to expedite the processing of your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation amendment filing by paying an additional fee.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to add additional business activities or services?
Yes, you can amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to add additional business activities or services through an official filing.
Do I need a lawyer to help me amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
While not required, it may be helpful to seek legal assistance when amending your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to ensure compliance and accuracy.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate structure from a corporation to an LLC?
Yes, you can amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate structure from a corporation to an LLC through an official filing.
Can I amend my Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to remove certain provisions or restrictions?
Yes, you can amend your Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation to remove certain provisions or restrictions through an official filing.

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In Conclusion

Amending the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation may not involve numerous steps, but the process can be more complex than it appears. It’s crucial to carefully consider any changes to ensure they do not negatively impact your business or client relationships. Before proceeding with modifications and amendments, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or legal professional for guidance.

Due to the complicated structure, forming a corporation in Pennsylvania might be difficult. However, after forming the corporation, managing it seems to be more difficult for many people. A frequent change may or may not occur. But, every time you make a change, you must file the amendment with Pennsylvania SOS. It is also suggested that you do not make changes frequently as it may affect your brand in a reverse way.

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