Pennsylvania PLCB Form 2918 is a sworn licensee certification and disclosure affidavit that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board requires applicants and current license holders to file with the Bureau of Licensing when they apply for, transfer, renew, or report a change tied to a liquor license. You file it to prove that the people behind a license are who they say they are, that their money is clean, and that no hidden party controls the business.
Getting this form wrong is not a small thing. A missing signature, a blank box, or a name that does not match your other paperwork can freeze your whole application, and Pennsylvania issues retail licenses under a strict population-based quota system that the PLCB licensing rules spell out, so a delay can cost you a spot you may not get back. The Bureau of Licensing reviews roughly 20,000 active licenses across the state, and incomplete affidavits are one of the top reasons applications stall before they ever reach a hearing.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What Form 2918 is, who must file it, and the law that backs it up
- 🗂️ The exact documents and ID numbers to gather before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line, box-by-box walkthrough of every field with real entries
- 👤 Three full filled-out examples that follow named filers from start to finish
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes, the penalties they trigger, and how to avoid them
Version note: Always confirm you have the current revision. PLCB forms print a revision code in the lower corner (for example, PLCB-2918 Rev. 01/24). Download the live copy from the PLCB applications and forms page before you start, because the Bureau rejects outdated versions on sight.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form 2918 is a certification affidavit. That means you are not just sharing information, you are swearing under oath that the information is true. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board uses it to confirm the identity, financial backing, and good standing of every person and entity tied to a license, which keeps hidden owners and unlawful money out of the alcohol trade.
The form sits inside the larger licensing process the PLCB runs under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, found at 47 P.S. § 1-101 and following. The Code gives the Board the power to demand sworn statements from applicants, and a false statement on a sworn PLCB document can be treated as a misdemeanor and grounds to deny or revoke a license. In plain terms, the law lets the Board ask, and it lets the Board punish lies.
You must file Form 2918 if any of the following describe you:
- You are applying for a new retail or wholesale license through the Bureau of Licensing.
- You are part of a person-to-person transfer where ownership of a license changes hands.
- You are a corporate officer, director, partner, LLC member, or stockholder named on a license application.
- You are reporting a change in ownership, financing, or management that the Board must approve.
A common misconception is that only the business owner signs. In reality, the Board often requires a separate affidavit from each principal, much like it does with the PLCB-196 Individual Questionnaire for officers and stockholders. If you skip a required signer, your packet is incomplete.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out Form 2918 goes faster and cleaner when you gather your paperwork first. The form asks for exact names, numbers, and dates that must match your other filings, so a quick check now prevents a rejection later. Here is your pre-filing checklist.
- Your license number (or application number). The Board files everything by this number, and a wrong digit can attach your affidavit to the wrong file or lose it entirely.
- Full legal name as it appears on your ID. The Bureau cross-checks names against your driver’s license and other state records, so a nickname triggers a hold.
- Social Security number or FEIN. Individuals use an SSN and entities use a Federal Employer Identification Number; the wrong one stalls the background and tax review.
- Business entity name and type. You must state whether you are a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC, because each type has different signers.
- Current home and business addresses. A mismatch with your other forms looks like a hidden party and invites extra questions.
- Names and titles of all principals. Every officer, director, partner, LLC member, and 10%-or-more stockholder may need to be listed or sign.
- Source-of-funds details. You may need to show where the money came from, mirroring the PLCB-2068 Lender Affidavit standard.
- A notary. This is a sworn affidavit, so you need a notary public to witness and stamp your signature, or the Board will not accept it.
If any item is missing, the form is not ready. A blank SSN box or an unsigned notary block is treated as an unfiled form, and your place in the quota line does not hold while you fix it.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get Form 2918 from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board directly, never from a random third-party site that may host an old version. The safest path is the PLCB applications and forms page, where the Board posts affidavits, questionnaires, and certification statements as downloadable PDFs.
You can also reach the form three other ways. First, log in to the PLCB+ online portal, the Board’s licensing system, where many filings are completed and submitted electronically. Second, call the Bureau of Licensing at 1-800-332-7522 and ask them to mail or email you the current copy. Third, request it in writing from the Bureau of Licensing, 401 Northwest Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17124.
When you download the PDF, check the revision code in the lower corner before you write anything. Forms get updated, and an old layout may use different box numbers than this guide describes. If your copy and this guide disagree on a box number, trust the box number printed on your form and apply the same logic.
A common mistake here is filling out a saved copy from two years ago. The Board can reject a superseded version even if every answer is correct, so the few minutes it takes to download a fresh copy is cheap insurance.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out PLCB Form 2918 Line by Line
Work through the form in order, top to bottom, and use blue or black ink if you complete it by hand. Print in capital letters where the form asks for it, and never leave a box blank; write N/A when something does not apply so the reviewer knows you did not skip it. Below, each box gets its own walkthrough.
Box 1: License Number / Application Number
This box asks for the number the PLCB assigned to your license or pending application. It is the file key the Board uses to match your affidavit to your case.
Write the number exactly as it appears on your license, application receipt, or PLCB+ dashboard, including any letter prefix and with no extra spaces. For example, Maria Lopez enters R-12345 for her restaurant license.
If you are filing a brand-new application and do not have a license number yet, enter your application number, or write NEW APPLICATION if the system has not issued one. Do not invent a number to fill the space.
The most common mistake here is transposing two digits, such as writing R-12354 instead of R-12345. That single slip can route your sworn affidavit to a stranger’s file, and your real file then looks incomplete, which stalls the review.
Many filers think this box is optional for new applicants. It is not; if you leave it blank, the Bureau has no way to attach your affidavit, and it sits unmatched in a queue.
Box 2: Full Legal Name of Applicant / Licensee
This box asks for the legal name of the person or business that holds or seeks the license. It is the identity the entire affidavit hangs on.
Enter your full legal name as it appears on your government ID, last name first if the form uses that layout, in capital letters. An individual writes LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA; a business writes its exact registered name, such as RIVERFRONT BISTRO LLC.
If you operate under a fictitious name or “doing business as” name, list the legal entity name here and put the trade name where the form asks for it later. The legal name controls, not the sign over the door.
A frequent mistake is using a shortened or married/maiden name that does not match the ID on file. The Board cross-checks names against state records, and a mismatch triggers an identity hold that can add weeks.
People often believe the business’s brand name belongs here. It does not; the Board wants the legal name registered with the state, because that is the entity it can hold accountable.
Box 3: Trade Name / “Doing Business As”
This box asks for the public-facing name your customers see, if it differs from your legal name. It links your brand to your legal entity.
Write the trade name exactly as registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, in capital letters. For example, Riverfront Bistro LLC enters the trade name THE DOCKSIDE GRILL.
If your legal name and trade name are the same, write SAME rather than leaving it blank. A blank box reads as an unanswered question to the reviewer.
A common mistake is listing a trade name that you never registered as a fictitious name with the state. That gap can surface during review and force you to register before the Board moves forward, costing time.
Some filers think the trade name is just decoration. It is not; the Board uses it to confirm the public notice placard and your premises records all point to the same business.
Box 4: Business Entity Type
This box asks how your business is legally organized. It tells the Board who must sign and what background checks apply.
Check the one box that fits: sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. For example, Riverfront Bistro LLC checks Limited Liability Company.
If your structure is unusual, such as a limited partnership or business trust, check the closest box and add a short note in the margin. The Board would rather see a note than a guess.
The most common mistake is an entity checking Corporation when it is actually an LLC, or the reverse. Because each type has different required signers, the wrong box can leave a required principal unsigned and your packet incomplete.
A widespread misconception is that the entity type does not matter once you have an EIN. It matters a lot; a corporation must list officers and directors, while an LLC lists members, and the Board checks each set differently.
Box 5: Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN)
This box asks for the tax ID tied to the filer. The Board uses it to run tax-clearance and background checks.
An entity enters its nine-digit FEIN in the format 12-3456789; an individual sole proprietor enters an SSN as 123-45-6789. For example, Riverfront Bistro LLC enters its FEIN 45-1234567.
If you are a new entity waiting on an EIN from the IRS, write APPLIED FOR and attach proof of your application. Do not leave the box empty, and do not borrow a personal SSN for an entity.
The most common mistake is entering a personal SSN where the entity FEIN belongs. This crosses your personal and business tax records and can trigger a tax-certification hold tied to the PLCB-1898 Tax Certification Statement.
Many filers fear that giving an SSN here is risky. It is required and protected; the Board needs it to confirm you have no unpaid state taxes, and refusing to provide it stops the application cold.
Box 6: Current Address (Home and Business)
This box asks where you and the business can be reached. It controls where the Board mails notices and where it expects to find the premises.
Enter the full street address, city, state, and ZIP for both your home and business in capital letters. For example, Maria Lopez writes her home address 148 ELM STREET, SCRANTON, PA 18503 and her business address 22 RIVER ROAD, SCRANTON, PA 18505.
If you use a P.O. Box for mail, list it for mailing but still provide the physical street address of the premises, because the Board licenses a physical location, not a box. A premises with only a P.O. Box raises an immediate flag.
A common mistake is listing an address that does not match your application or lease. A mismatch can look like an undisclosed location and prompt the Board to ask for more proof, slowing you down.
People often assume any mailing address will do. It will not; the Board must verify the actual premises against zoning and distance rules, so the physical address must be exact.
Box 7: Names and Titles of All Principals
This box asks you to list every person with ownership or control of the business. It exposes anyone who stands behind the license.
List each officer, director, partner, LLC member, and any person holding 10% or more equity, with their full name and title, just as the PLCB-196 questionnaire requires. For example, the LLC lists MARIA ELENA LOPEZ, MANAGING MEMBER and DAVID CHEN, MEMBER.
If there are more principals than lines, attach a separate sheet with the same headings and write SEE ATTACHED in the box. Never cram names into the margin.
The most common mistake is leaving off a silent partner or a minority owner above the 10% threshold. The Board treats an undisclosed owner as a hidden interest, which can lead to denial or later revocation.
A dangerous misconception is that a small investor does not count. Anyone at or above 10% equity, and anyone with control, must be listed; hiding them is exactly what this box exists to prevent.
Box 8: Source of Funds Certification
This box asks where the money to buy or run the license came from. It confirms the financing is lawful and not controlled by a hidden party.
State the source clearly, such as personal savings, a bank loan, or an investor, and name the institution and account if asked, mirroring the PLCB-2068 Lender Affidavit approach. For example, David Chen writes PERSONAL SAVINGS, FIRST KEYSTONE BANK, ACCT #4456.
If part of the money is borrowed, identify the lender and confirm the lender will exercise no control over the business, as the Liquor Code forbids hidden control. Attach a lender affidavit if the Board requires one.
The most common mistake is vaguely writing family money with no name or account. The Board reads vague funding as a possible hidden owner and will demand documentation, which delays approval.
Many filers think the Board only cares about the amount. It cares more about control; a lender who secretly runs the business creates an unlawful interest that can void the license.
Box 9: Certification, Signature, and Notarization
This box is the oath. By signing, you swear under penalty of law that everything above is true and correct.
Sign your name in ink, print your name and title beneath, enter the date as MM/DD/YYYY, and sign in front of a notary public who completes the notarial block with a stamp and date. For example, Maria Lopez signs, prints MARIA ELENA LOPEZ, MANAGING MEMBER, and dates it 03/14/2026 before the notary stamps it.
If multiple principals must certify, each one signs and notarizes a separate affidavit; one signature does not cover everyone unless the form says so. Check the signer rules for your entity type.
The most common mistake is signing without a notary or dating the form before the notary witnesses it. An un-notarized affidavit is legally worthless to the Board and is returned as unfiled.
A frequent misconception is that a digital or typed signature is fine on a sworn paper affidavit. Unless you file through PLCB+ with an approved e-signature, the Board expects a wet ink signature with a live notary seal.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named filers shown through the form from start to finish. Each table uses the form’s own sections so you can see exactly what goes where.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, new restaurant license applicant. Maria is opening a single-location bistro in Scranton and applying for a new restaurant liquor license through the Bureau of Licensing.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1: License / Application Number | NEW APPLICATION |
| Box 2: Full Legal Name | RIVERFRONT BISTRO LLC |
| Box 3: Trade Name | THE DOCKSIDE GRILL |
| Box 4: Entity Type | Limited Liability Company (checked) |
| Box 5: FEIN / SSN | 45-1234567 |
| Box 6: Address | 22 RIVER ROAD, SCRANTON, PA 18505 |
| Box 7: Principals | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ, MANAGING MEMBER |
| Box 8: Source of Funds | PERSONAL SAVINGS, FIRST KEYSTONE BANK |
| Box 9: Signature / Notary | Signed, dated 03/14/2026, notarized |
Scenario 2: David Chen and a partner, person-to-person transfer. David is buying an existing tavern license from a retiring owner, so ownership changes but the location stays the same.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1: License / Application Number | R-12345 |
| Box 2: Full Legal Name | CHEN HOSPITALITY GROUP INC |
| Box 3: Trade Name | EAST END TAP HOUSE |
| Box 4: Entity Type | Corporation (checked) |
| Box 5: FEIN / SSN | 23-9876543 |
| Box 6: Address | 87 MAIN STREET, ALLENTOWN, PA 18101 |
| Box 7: Principals | DAVID CHEN, PRESIDENT; LISA PARK, SECRETARY |
| Box 8: Source of Funds | BANK LOAN, VALLEY NATIONAL BANK, NO CONTROL |
| Box 9: Signature / Notary | Each principal signs and notarizes separately |
Scenario 3: Janet Brooks, sole proprietor reporting a change. Janet already holds a license and is filing the affidavit to report new financing she took on to renovate.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1: License / Application Number | H-44781 |
| Box 2: Full Legal Name | BROOKS, JANET MARIE |
| Box 3: Trade Name | THE CORNER PUB |
| Box 4: Entity Type | Sole Proprietor (checked) |
| Box 5: FEIN / SSN | 123-45-6789 |
| Box 6: Address | 9 HILL STREET, ERIE, PA 16501 |
| Box 7: Principals | JANET MARIE BROOKS, OWNER |
| Box 8: Source of Funds | LOAN FROM SISTER, NO CONTROL, SEE LENDER AFFIDAVIT |
| Box 9: Signature / Notary | Signed, dated 03/20/2026, notarized |
Beyond these three, picture Marcus Reed, a corporate officer who must file his own affidavit as a 25% stockholder, and Aisha Bell, an LLC member who attaches a separate sheet under Box 7 because the LLC has six members. Each person signs their own sworn copy.
How to File the Completed Form
Once the form is filled in and notarized, you choose a filing channel. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board accepts filings online, by mail, and in person, and the channel you pick affects your processing time and your proof of filing.
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Online (PLCB+): Submit through the PLCB+ portal by logging into your account and uploading the signed, notarized affidavit with your application packet. There is no separate fee for the affidavit itself, though your underlying license application carries its own fee paid by credit card or ACH using the PLCB-2466 authorization. Online filings are logged instantly, so save the confirmation screen and reference number as your proof.
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By mail: Send the original signed and notarized form to the Bureau of Licensing, 401 Northwest Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17124. Include any fee by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mail review takes longer, often several weeks, so send it certified mail with return receipt and keep that receipt as proof.
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In person: Deliver the form to the Bureau of Licensing at the Harrisburg office during business hours. Ask the clerk to date-stamp a copy for you, because that stamp is your proof of the filing date.
Whatever channel you use, keep a complete copy of the signed, notarized form and every attachment. If the Board ever questions whether you filed or what you swore to, that copy and your dated proof are what protect you.
What Happens After You File
After the Bureau of Licensing receives your affidavit, it joins your larger application or change file and a licensing analyst reviews it. The analyst checks your answers against state records, your tax status, and your other forms to confirm everything lines up.
If something is missing or unclear, the Board issues a deficiency notice asking you to fix it, often with a short deadline. You may use the PLCB-1136 Waiver and Late Filing Statement in some situations, but do not count on extensions; missing a deadline can close your file.
If your affidavit and packet pass review, your matter moves forward to the next step, which for a new or transferred license may include posting the public notice placard, a possible hearing, and a final Board decision. A clean, complete affidavit is what keeps you moving through that pipeline without backtracking.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving a box blank instead of writing N/A, which makes the reviewer treat your form as unfinished.
- Transposing digits in the license number, which can attach your affidavit to the wrong file.
- Using a nickname or trade name in the legal name box, which triggers an identity hold.
- Entering a personal SSN where an entity FEIN belongs, which crosses your tax records and stalls clearance.
- Listing only a P.O. Box for the premises, which prevents the Board from verifying the physical location.
- Omitting a silent partner or 10%-plus owner, which the Board treats as an illegal hidden interest.
- Writing vague funding like family money, which reads as a possible undisclosed controller.
- Signing the form without a notary, which makes the affidavit legally worthless and returned as unfiled.
- Dating the signature before the notary witnesses it, which voids the notarization.
- Filing an outdated form version, which the Board can reject even if every answer is correct.
- Forgetting that each principal may need a separate affidavit, which leaves your packet incomplete.
- Failing to keep a stamped or certified-mail proof, which leaves you unable to prove you filed on time.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download a fresh copy from the PLCB forms page, because old versions get rejected.
- Do print in capital letters in ink, because the Board scans these forms and clean text reduces errors.
- Do match every name and number to your other filings, because mismatches trigger holds.
- Do list every principal at or above 10% equity, because hidden owners can void the license.
- Do use a notary, because an unsworn affidavit has no legal weight with the Board.
- Do keep a full copy and dated proof, because that is your defense if a question ever arises.
Don’ts
- Don’t leave any box blank, because blanks read as unanswered and incomplete.
- Don’t guess your entity type, because the wrong box leaves a required signer off.
- Don’t write vague funding sources, because the Board will demand documentation and delay you.
- Don’t borrow a personal SSN for a business, because it crosses tax records and stalls review.
- Don’t sign before the notary is present, because that destroys the notarization.
- Don’t file the form alone if it belongs in a packet, because a stray affidavit sits unmatched.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many filers ask whether to complete Form 2918 themselves or hire a liquor licensing attorney or consultant. The right choice depends on how complex your ownership and financing are.
Pros of filing on your own
- You save the cost of professional fees, which matters for a small single-owner business.
- You learn your own file deeply, which helps you answer Board questions fast.
- A simple sole-proprietor affidavit is straightforward enough to handle alone.
- You control your own timeline and do not wait on a third party.
- You avoid sharing sensitive financial details with an outside firm.
Cons of filing on your own
- You may miss a required signer, which makes the packet incomplete.
- You carry the full legal risk of a false statement, which can be a misdemeanor.
- You may misread the entity rules and check the wrong box.
- Complex financing or multiple owners are easy to under-disclose by accident.
- A small error can cost you weeks in the quota-limited licensing line.
FAQs
Is PLCB Form 2918 a sworn document?
Yes. It is an affidavit, so you sign under penalty of law, and a false answer can be charged as a misdemeanor and used to deny or revoke your license.
Do I need a notary to file Form 2918?
Yes. The Board treats an un-notarized affidavit as unfiled, so you must sign in front of a notary public who stamps and dates the notarial block.
Can I file Form 2918 online?
Yes. You can upload the signed, notarized form through the PLCB+ portal with your application packet, and the system logs your submission instantly with a reference number.
Do I write my legal name or my trade name in Box 2?
No trade name there. Box 2 takes your full legal name or registered entity name; the trade name goes in Box 3, where you may write SAME if they match.
Should I put my SSN or my FEIN in Box 5?
No single rule for all. An entity enters its FEIN, while an individual sole proprietor enters an SSN; using a personal SSN for an entity stalls tax clearance.
Do I list a minority owner in Box 7?
Yes. Any person with 10% or more equity, or any control, must be listed, because the Board treats an undisclosed owner as an illegal hidden interest.
Can I write “family money” as my source of funds in Box 8?
No. Vague funding reads as a possible hidden controller, so name the source, the institution, and confirm any lender will exercise no control over the business.
Is there a fee just for Form 2918?
No. The affidavit itself has no separate fee, but your underlying license application carries its own fee paid by check, credit card, or ACH.
Can each principal sign one shared affidavit?
No in most cases. Each officer, partner, or member usually signs and notarizes a separate copy, much like the individual questionnaire process.
Will an old saved version of the form be accepted?
No. The Board can reject a superseded version, so download a fresh copy and confirm the revision code in the lower corner before you fill it out.
Can I leave a box blank if it does not apply to me?
No. Write N/A instead, because a blank box reads as an unanswered question and can make the Board treat the whole form as incomplete.
Does a P.O. Box work for the premises address in Box 6?
No. You must give the physical street address of the licensed location, because the Board verifies it against zoning and distance rules; a P.O. Box may be used only for mail.
Is a typed or digital signature acceptable on a paper Form 2918?
No. A paper affidavit needs a wet ink signature with a live notary seal, unless you file through PLCB+ using an approved electronic signature.
Can I get help from the Bureau of Licensing if I am stuck?
Yes. You can call the Bureau of Licensing at 1-800-332-7522 for guidance on which forms apply, though they will not complete the affidavit for you.
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