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Business Registration
& Renewal (Basic) |
Business
Registration/Renewal
with Name Search |
Business
Registration/Renewal
Under a Corporation
|
Business
Registration/Renewal
Under a Corporation
with Name Search |
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 |
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| 
$36.99
+ 13% HST + $80*
*government filing fee |
$46.49
+ 13% HST + $80*
*government filing fee |
$36.99
+ 13% HST + $80*
*government filing fee |
$46.49
+ 13% HST + $80*
*government filing fee |
|
Package 1:
Set up a business as a sole proprietorship or general partnership. A preclearance in the Nuans system is not included.
Results
are e-mailed to you.
|
Package
2:
Set up a business as a sole proprietorship or general partnership. A preclearance in the Nuans system is included.
Results
are e-mailed to you. |
Package 3:
Set up a business under your existing corporation. A name search is not included.
Results
are e-mailed to you. |
Package 4:
Set up a business under your existing corporation. A preclearance Nuans search is completed to list any conflicting business.
Results
are e-mailed to you. |
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1. How to Register a Business in Ontario
A
small business in Ontario may be registered as an ONTARIO BUSINESS
REGISTRATION (also known as a "FORM 1" or Master Business
Licence) as a simple, inexpensive way to set up your business. The registration
is available as either a Sole Proprietor (for a single individual)
or Partnership (for two or more individuals). Those registering
a company under a corporation should click here.
The information required for company registration:
- The
business name
- Business
address
- Principal
place of business in Ontario
- Individual/s
name and address (Post Office Boxes are not accepted)
- Activity
carried on by the business
- Person
authorizing the registration of the business
Advantages
& Disadvantages of Registering a Business in Ontario
The
advantages of registering an Ontario Business Registration are that
it is an inexpensive and simple format to begin doing business.
The disadvantages are that there is little name protection of your
business name and the business owner is fully responsible for all
the debts and obligations related to his/her business.
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Registering
a Corporation? See the information here.
2. Choosing a Business Name
Choosing
the right name for your new business is a very important decision.
You want a name that will draw potential customers, help clients identify
your product or service and build a business image. Choose a name
that is easy to remember and provides information so potential customers
easily understand your product or service.
A business
registration is not required if an individual is doing business under
his/her own name (e.g. John Smith). If a descriptive element (e.g.
John Smith Books) is added then under the "Business Names Act"
the registration must be completed.
The individual
registering the business assumes full responsibility for any risk
in confusion with an existing corporation, business name or trade
mark. It is very important when choosing a name for your business
that you consider the uniqueness of the name. Any name provided by
the registrant will be accepted by the Ontario Government, as there
is no name protection for small business. If you choose a name that
is deceptively similar to an existing name, you risk legal action
being taken by the other party.
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Restrictions
On Name Use
When
choosing a business name certain words or expressions cannot be used.
They are as follows:
- Obscene
or objectionable words in nature
- The
words "University, College or Institute may not be used unless
written consent is Provided by the Ministry of Education.
- The
words Incorporation (Inc.), Limited (Ltd.) or Corporation (Corp.)
may not be used, as this is an identifier for a corporate entity.
- Individual
names other than individuals registering business (e.g. Tiger Woods)
- Words
that imply an association with a government body or are restricted
by Federal or Ontario Laws.
- Sole
Proprietors cannot use words to imply more than one individual (e.g.
group, associates or partners)
- Numbers
that would make it appear the business is an Ontario numbered corporation.
- The
@ sign is not available to use in any business name.
- You
may use the following symbols but not as the first character in
your business name: ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + ; : { } / ^ \
If you
want your business name in a language other than the Roman Alphabet
you may do so as long as the name is registered in the Roman Alphabet.
Your business name may be displayed in Chinese, Italian, Spanish etc.
as long as the English name is also displayed at the place of business.
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Business
Name Search
You want
to chose a business name that is tailored to you and your business.
It is very difficult to find a name that is not infringing on another
business name. Your name should be specific to you, what you do, the
area you live, the times available, the speediness or accuracy of
your service etc. all of these identifiers help to make a name that
is unique to you and your business.
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Business
Name Availability
There
are two ways to search for available business names as part of the
registration process. Neither of these is mandatory, however it is
recommended that you consider verifying the business name availability
to ensure you are not infringing on another business name and to verify
that you have a distinctive name to separate you from your competitors.
Ontario
Business Name Search
This
is a search done through The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial
Relations. This databank searches exact name matches against business
names that already exist in Ontario. It does not search similar
names to the name you are proposing. It does not verify that you
are not infringing on another corporation name, trademark within
the province of Ontario or other provinces.
NUANS
Name Search (new updated automated name search)
This
databank contains records throughout most of Canada. It displays
corporations and business registrations with the same or similar
name to the one proposed. This search is much more effective in
determining name availability. A preliminary search is done initially
to check for availability before the expense of ordering the actually
search printout.
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3.
Finalizing Your Registration
The next
step to complete the Ontario Business Registration is to begin
the registration of your new business. You will be prompted to provide
the following information:
- Do you
require an Ontario Business Name Search?
- Do you
require a Nuans Name Search?
- Is this
a New business, Renewal, Amendment or Cancellation?
- Provide
business name/s in order of preference
- Business
address
- Address
of principal place of business or same as above
- Activity
of business
- Sole
Proprietorship or Partnership?
- Individual/s
name and address ( P.0 Box not acceptable) - if you are in a rural
area, provide your rural route number or lot number when street address
is not available.
- The
person authorizing the registration (usually the owner of the business
if other than yourself).
Once the
registration is completed the new business is registered with the Ontario
Government and given a Business Identification Number (BIN) that
identifies your registration from any other. The registration is
valid for a period of five years as indicated on the completed form.
Within that five year period if you want to amend or cancel the registration
you must provide your business BIN number to link the changed registration
with the previous one. After a five year period, you are required
to renew your business registration.
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After
You Have Registered Your Company
Renewal
of Business Name
Your
business registration must be renewed every five years. The renewal
must be completed within 30 days of the expiry date of your registration.
On your present registration it will show you two dates, when the
business commenced in Ontario and when it will expire. If this time
has lapsed you must register your business as New. You also have the
business BIN number that must be given to link the expiring registration
to the renewal. When completing the business registration form you
will be required to provide the same information as when you originally
registered your business name. Once the form is completed you will
have five years before requiring to renew your business registration
again.
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Amendment
of Business Name
When
amending your Business Name the business BIN number is required. The
Ontario government allows you to make changes from your original registration
in these areas:
- Business
address or principal place of business in Ontario
- Individual/s
address
- Activity
of your business
You may
not change the name of the individuals or business name by amending.
If you require these changes a cancellation of the old business name
must occur and a new business registration submitted. When completing
the business registration form you will be required to provide the
same information as when you originally registered your business name.
Once the form is completed the amendment will continue throughout
the remainder of the five year period.
>
Amend your existing business registration
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Cancellation
of Business Registration
If you
want to wind up or cancel your Business Registration, you must file
a cancellation with the Ontario Government. The information provided
must be completed as when you initially registered your business with
the business name, name and address of individuals, activity of business
and person authorizing the cancellation. The business Identification
Number (BIN) must be inserted to link the cancellation of your registration
against the business your originally registered with the government.
Your (BIN) number is listed on your original registration.
Once
you have completed the filing of the cancellation your business name
will be shown as a cancellation and no longer as an active business
in Ontario until the original expiry date has passed.
> Cancel your existing business registration
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BIN
Number Not Known
If you
do not have a copy of your original registration to renew, amend or
cancel your registration, we can search your registration with the
Ontario government to find it. An additional fee will be required.
This is posted in the Services
and Pricing.
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