As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources
Pennsylvania charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of State — Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations |
| Initial fee | $15–$250, tiered on contributions |
| Renewal fee | $15–$250, tiered on contributions |
| Renewal / report due | 15th day of the 11th month after fiscal year end |
| Filing channel | Paper / mail |
Who must register
Pennsylvania generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Pennsylvania Department of State — Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Pennsylvania residents as well as local ones.
10 P.S. § 162.5(a) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is a bona fide, duly constituted religious institution (or an integral group of one) holding federal tax exemption — Pennsylvania excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (10 P.S. § 162.3), and nothing is filed to claim it. Note: the exclusion also requires that the institution be primarily supported by government grants or contracts, funds from its own membership, congregation, or previous donors, and service fees — Pennsylvania's registry cannot show us an organization's support mix, so confirm that condition applies before relying on this row.
10 P.S. § 162.3 definitional exclusion (2)
Likely exempt if its contributions are $25,000 or less for the year and it does not compensate any person who conducts solicitations (10 P.S. § 162.6(a)(8)) — the exemption is self-executing (Pennsylvania has no exemption filing), and registration is required within 30 days once contributions exceed $25,000.
10 P.S. § 162.6(a)(8) verbatim in pa-primary-sources.md. Self-executing; voluntary registration possible (BCO-10 checkbox). No-compensated-solicitor prong ap…
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Financial statement thresholds
- CPA compilation at $100,000+ contributions · 10 P.S. § 162.5(f) (Act 71 of 2017, eff. 2018-02-20)
- CPA review at $250,000+ contributions · 10 P.S. § 162.5(f)
- Independent audit at $750,000+ contributions · 10 P.S. § 162.5(f)
Is your charity registered in Pennsylvania? Check free.
Citations
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(a) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(a) (file with 'the department' = Department of State); Bureau administers per DOS charities pages. Form BCO-10 (initial + renewal); BCO-23 if… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(p) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Same § 162.5(p) tiers annually. Late fee § 162.5(q) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- As administered · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Paper BCO-10 'must be submitted by mail' (Instructions rev. 1/2024); DOS online filing via Keystone Login exists per the DOS tutorials page — sourced via sea… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.3 definitional exclusion (2) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.6(a)(8) verbatim in pa-primary-sources.md. Self-executing; voluntary registration possible (BCO-10 checkbox). No-compensated-solicitor prong ap… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(f) (Act 71 of 2017, eff. 2018-02-20) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(f) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- 10 P.S. § 162.5(f) · source · verified 2026-07-23
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.