Official Website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
An entity number is a legacy identification number that was issued when the Department of State used the PennFile system to receive and process electronic filings.
When the Department of State switched filing systems from PennFile to Business Filing Services, the entity number was replaced with the "File Number".
You can use the Business Filing Services Name Search tool to lookup registered businesses by searching the business name or entity/file number.
The Entity/File Number is located in parathesis next to the business name.
Additionally, you can click the search result to view more information and complete additional actions, including Request Certificate, View Filing History, Manage Notifications, and Request Access. If you request access to the record, once you receive it, you’ll also have the option to file an amendment.
This tool can also be used to quickly check the availability of a business name in Pennsylvania. If you search the business name and no business entities appear, it means the name is available for use in PA.
Revised 3/25/2026
