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(Ontario Business Central - Home Page)

Register a Business (Master Business Licence)

• 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

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.

Choosing a Name For Your Business

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.

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.

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.

Name Availability

There are two ways of searching to see if a business name is available as part of the registration process. Neither of these is mandatory, however it is recommended that you consider verifying 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 (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.

Completion of Registration

The next step to complete the Business registration (Form 1) 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 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 business is registered with the Ontario Government and given a Business Identification Number (BIN) this 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 afro required to renew your business registration.

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 renewing your business again.

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.

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.

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.

(Ontario Business Central - Home Page)