How to Conduct a Business Search & Find a Company in Canada
Originally Published: Oct 3, 2019
Conducting a business search is essential for anyone looking to verify the legitimacy of a company in Canada. Whether you’re exploring a new partnership, considering a vendor, or simply doing your due diligence, knowing how to access accurate information can save you from potential risks.
This guide will explain the process of searching for businesses across provinces and the type of information available, including how to check if a company is legally registered.
Why Conduct a Business Search in Canada?
In Canada, businesses must register with the province they operate in. This forms a public record with details like the business’s legal name, ownership structure, and registered office address.
Searching for a company isn’t just for legal professionals. Corporate searches are a valuable tool for anyone who needs transparency in their business dealings. By accessing a provincial corporate registry, you can ensure that the company you’re dealing with is properly registered.
How to Search for a Business in Canada
Finding a company in Canada is straightforward, thanks to the various business registries accessible online. Here’s a step-by-step process to search a registered business or corporation:
Step 1: Identify the Type of Business & Home Jurisdiction
In Canada, incorporation searches provide the most information in the home jurisdiction. A corporation or registration search provides full details like director names and addresses when requested from the province or territory where the business operates. Conducting your search in the appropriate jurisdiction ensures you receive up-to-date and relevant details about the company.
Step 2: Choose the Right Search Type
Popular options include:
- Corporate Profile Report: Provides detailed information, including the registered office address. For corporations this will also include directors’ names and addresses. If you are interested in registered business lookups, profile reports can also provide details for small businesses like a sole proprietorship or general partnership.
- Certificate of Status or Certificate of Good Standing: Confirms the company is active and in good standing. Only available for corporations.
- Copies of Articles of Incorporation: Outlines the formation details of a corporation or non-profit organization from when the business originally incorporated
Step 3: Use Ontario Business Central
Ontario Business Central’s online services simplify the search process. For example, an Ontario corporate search allows you to find a business by business name or registration number. Our platform provides quick and accurate search results Canada wide with many searches available same-day.
What Information Can You Find?
Depending on the search type, here’s what you can uncover with a Canadian Business Search:
Available Details:
- Legal name of the business
- Registered office address
- Owner or director names and addresses
- How long the company has been in business
Unavailable Details:
- Phone numbers
- Financial records or credit reports
- Personal property owned by the business or individuals
Provincial & Federal Searches
For a corporate search in Canada, you can search both Provincial and Federal platforms. A Provincial corporate search focuses on businesses registered within a province.
In Canada, business searches often list extra provincial registrations. This means the business is registered in multiple provinces. For example, when a Federal corporation in Canada is searched, it may have extra provincial registrations nationwide. For extra provincial registrations, full details are available only from the home jurisdiction.
If you are unsure of the home jurisdiction for a corporation lookup, you can use a NUANS search. Each registry has its own specific database, so search in the correct jurisdiction when completing a company lookup. Using a NUANS preliminary search in Canada for a company search can confirm the home jurisdiction of the business and list any extra provincial registrations.
Additional Types of Searches
Beyond the basic business search, you may also want to explore due diligence company searches in Canada:
- Bank Act Search: Confirms if a financial institution has first priority on any debt including goods and equipment.
- Bankruptcy Search: View if a bankruptcy filing has taken place within Ontario.
- PPSA Search (Personal Property Securities Act): Search for any current loans against individuals or a company for motor vehicles, equipment, inventory or consumer goods.
- Business Number Lookup: Find CRA BN Number for existing Ontario, BC or Federal/Canada Corporations.
Why Choose Ontario Business Central
Ontario Business Central simplifies the search process, offering fast and reliable access to corporate searches in Ontario and Canada-wide. Whether you have a corporate number to search, need a copy of articles of incorporation, or assistance with a registered business lookup, our team is here to help with business lookups in Canada.
Ensure you have the information you need to make informed decisions. Start your search today!
If you are unsure as to which corporate search to order to get the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact our staff for additional information and assistance.
inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
Toll-Free: 1-800-280-1913
Local: 1-416-599-9009
Fax: 1-866-294-4363
Office Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday E.S.T.
Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional.
