What are the types of legal business registrations?

There are various types of business structures:

Sole Proprietorship

  • Provincial

General Partnership

  • Provincial

Incorporation

  • Provincial
  • Federal

Not-for Profit Incorporation

  • Provincial
  • Federal

Co-operative Incorporation

  • Provincial
  • Federal

More information on proprietors, partnerships and incorporating available at FedDev Ontario

How do I legally register a business in Ontario?

This simplest legal registration is a Master Business license. This online Provincial site allows you to do a business name search, renew or register your sole proprietor, general partnership or corporate trade name go to Ontario Business Services. Register a business name

The fee for each name search is $8, the registration fee is $60. It takes about 30 minutes to complete your registration. When you are finished, print the Master Business License (MBL) you can also have it emailed to you. The online services accept Credit Cards only.

The Master Business License is valid for 5 years, after which you’ll need renew at the above link. If your license has expired, you have up to 60 days to renew after the 60 days of grace you will register as a new business but be aware you also get a new BIN number.

Self-service public computers are available at select Service Ontario locations where you can register a business name. The cost is $60, plus $8 if you include the name search. Business name searches and registrations are processed and can be printed immediately for your records. Service Ontario locations will accept cash, debit or credit card located at 30 Duke Street, 2nd floor, Kitchener.

To change business information, address or cancel your Master Business License visit this link.

To change the business name, all partners, or change from a partnership to a sole proprietor you must complete a new business registration.

How do I legally register a Provincial Incorporation?

There are three service delivery choices available to clients who wish to incorporate a business corporation in Ontario:

File Articles of Incorporation electronically via the Internet through one of the Service Providers under contract with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. The fee is $300. Unless the corporation will have a number name, an original Ontario-biased NUANS name search report must be obtained from a private name search company and be submitted with the Articles of Incorporation. For more information about service providers visit Nuans member search.

For over-the-counter service, articles may be filed in person at the Toronto office or at some Land Registry/ServiceOntario offices in Ontario (See the “Offices That Endorse Articles Submitted Under the Business Corporations Act” information sheet). The information sheet is available online at ServiceOntario.ca.

Submit Articles of Incorporation by mail to the Central Production and Verification Services Branch, 393 University Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M2.

To manually complete and take to a Land Registry/Service Ontario off or mail to Toronto.

  • Download Form 1 (Articles of Incorporation)
  • Download Form 3 (Consent to act as First Director) Other supporting documents, if required (e.g. legal opinion). Note: Consent to Act as First Director is no longer required to be filed with the Branch, but it must be kept at the corporation’s registered office.
  • NUANS search and attach to application
  • Covering letter giving a contact name, return address and telephone number. If a future date of incorporation (up to 30 days ahead) is required, it must be set out in the covering letter.
  • Please be advised that the Branch cannot give legal advice. This information is intended as a general guide only. For further assistance or legal information, please consult private legal counsel.
  • If you need a lawyer, you may wish to contact the Law Society Referral Service of the Law Society of Upper Canada. You will be referred to a lawyer for up to one half-hour free legal consultation. You must be 18 years of age to access this service. The Law Society Referral Service can be reached by telephoning 1-800-268-8326.

Please refer to the Business Corporations Act for details governing business corporations in Ontario. The Business Corporations Act is available on the Internet or can be purchased through Publications Ontario at 416-326-5300 or toll-free at 1-800-668-9938. The website for Publications Ontario is www.publications.gov.on.ca

How do I register a Federal corporation?

When you incorporate federally, the cost is $200, at the same time you apply for many of the other registrations you need.

First complete a NUANS (name) search, $13.80, you will need the number on this search to complete the Business registration. Be prepared with a list directors name and contact information. As part of the federal incorporation process, you can get:

  • Articles of incorporation
  • Federal business number
  • Federal corporation income tax program account
  • Option to register for other federal tax accounts, such as GST/HST, payroll, import/export
  • Option for extra-provincial or extra-territorial corporation registration

If the Corporation is registered Federally do I need to register Provincially?

Corporations are required to register in the provinces in which they will conduct business. When you incorporate your federal corporation online, you can, at the same time, register your corporation in Ontario.

What is an Extra Provincial Registration?

Extra-provincial registration is a process of incorporation in Canada that both Canadian corporations in Canada and foreign corporations have to go through when they seek to do business in Canada or in various provinces or territories throughout Canada. Form for Extra Provincial registration $330

In general, an Ontario corporation is entitled to carry on business in Ontario under its corporate name. An Ontario corporation “doing business for the purpose of registration in another province” generally requires an extra-provincial license, as registration of your corporation is mandatory in the province where you do business.

“Doing business for the purpose of registration” typically means having employees, facilities or offices in the jurisdiction. Merely entering into contracts in Canada or selling goods or services in another jurisdiction, does not necessarily require registration in that jurisdiction” (some provinces have Reciprocal Agreements for Extra-Provincial Registration).

Do I need to register my business with the Municipal government?

If you are a current business owner or plan to open a business, the City requires that certain businesses be licensed so their operations can be reviewed by all necessary departments to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the public. The City supports local business owners by guiding them through this process, and provides a number of resources for prospective applicants.