Revive a Federal Corporation

Federal Articles of Revival can be filed for corporations that were dissolved for failing to file the mandatory Annual Returns. Ontario Business Central can assist with corporations dissolved for two years or less. Corporations dissolved for more than two years require a federal NUANS report and additional steps that fall outside our standard service.

Ontario Business Central prepares the Articles of Revival on the same business day the order is received and submits them directly to Corporations Canada. Federal government processing time can take up to 10 business days from the date of submission.

The base total is $555.02 with HST. This includes the Articles of Revival service ($149.99), document filing ($89.99), the federal government fee ($250.00), and handling ($29.95), for a subtotal of $519.93 plus $35.09 HST. Adding the two Annual Return updates ($109.99 each plus a $12.00 government fee each) brings the total to $827.60. Named corporations add $39.99 plus HST for the NUANS.

The most common reason is failure to file the mandatory Annual Returns with Corporations Canada. Other reasons include voluntary dissolution by the owners, bankruptcy or insolvency, non-payment of taxes, failure to maintain a registered office, or court-ordered dissolution. OBC can assist with revival only when the dissolution was caused by missed Annual Return filings.

You will need the corporate name, the corporate number assigned by Corporations Canada, your Corporation Key (the secure access code issued by Corporations Canada), the filer's full name and role (shareholder, director, creditor, trustee, or liquidator), the filer's mailing address and phone number, and a statement of intent to revive. If the corporation was dissolved more than two years ago, a federal NUANS report is also required.

Yes. If the corporation was dissolved for missing Annual Returns, the two most recent Annual Returns must be filed with the Articles of Revival. Any changes to the registered head office or directors must be included. OBC offers the two Annual Return updates as an optional add-on at checkout, or you can file them yourself once the revival is complete.

Not automatically. Corporations Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency do not share status updates in real time. We recommend notifying the CRA directly once the revival is complete so the corporation's CRA business account, payroll, HST, and other program accounts can be reopened or updated.

The Corporation Key is a secure access code issued by Corporations Canada that verifies the identity of the person filing the Articles of Revival. It was provided when the corporation was first incorporated and is generally on file with the corporate documents. If the Corporation Key cannot be located, Corporations Canada can reissue it on request.

No. Once a corporation has been voluntarily dissolved, where the owners chose to wind down operations, settle debts, and file dissolution documents, it cannot be revived. To resume business activity, you must register a new corporation. OBC can assist with new federal or provincial incorporation.

A federal NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report is required if the corporation was dissolved or cancelled more than two years before the filing date. The NUANS confirms the corporate name is still available, since name protection lapses after two years. OBC handles revival within the two-year window where a NUANS is generally not required.