How To Search An Existing Business Within Canada

business search

Original Publish Date:  May 20, 2015

When a business is incorporated, registered or trademarked within any jurisdiction within Canada, the government within that jurisdiction maintains a public record of the business which is accessible to anyone who wishes to obtain details of that business.

profile report sampleProfile Report/Corporate Search

A profile report or corporate search is the most common information requested. This report provides the following information on an existing business:

  • Legal name of business
  • How long the business has been in operation
  • Business address
  • Active and expired tradenames
  • Business activity (often available)
  • Directors/owners names and addresses

How Long Does it Take to Obtain This Information?

Within most jurisdictions within Canada, the information is available electronically and the results are emailed to you. In most cases, the results are available within a few minutes to a few hours.

What if I am Not Sure of the Exact Business Name?

I can only speak for our organization and how we operate our business. If someone provides a business name that we cannot find the exact business name, we will send a listing of similar business names within that jurisdiction for you to review to assist you to find the name.  The most important information is the first word or two of the business name you wish to search.

What if I Need to Search Multiple Business Names?

If you have multiple business names to search, don’t worry! Our website offers the convenience of ordering multiple Profile Reports, Certificates of Status and copies of existing Articles of Incorporation in a single order. This means you can get multiple searches done at once, saving you time and effort.

Can I Search by Personal Name to Find a Business?

This is a question we often are asked, where you know a person’s name and wish to search to see if the individual owns an existing business. Unfortunately, we cannot search from a person’s name to see the businesses owned by that individual. You would need to have a good idea as to the business name and search through the business. The only exception to this is if the business name is from the person’s name. An example would be John Smiths Catering Inc.

Can I Use This Document For Court Purposes?

Yes, Ontario now certifies all Profile Reports issued, so you are able to use this document in this circumstance.

Order a Corporate Search

inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
Toll-Free: 1-888-936-2358
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.