A Certificate of Status is an official document issued by the Province of Ontario confirming that a corporation is currently active (in good standing) and has not been dissolved or cancelled. It is the standard document required by banks, law firms, lenders, and government agencies to verify a corporation's legal status. The certificate is generated by the Ministry directly from the live Ontario Business Registry.
Yes. The official name in Ontario is "Certificate of Status," but banks, lawyers, and financial institutions often refer to it as a "Certificate of Good Standing." They are the same document. Some institutions use either term interchangeably.
All corporate profile reports, Articles of Incorporation copies, and Certificates of Status are pulled directly from official government databases through our direct registry access. You receive certified, up-to-date provincial and federal records.
The certificate itself does not expire, but most institutions require a certificate issued within the last 30 to 90 days to ensure the data is current. Banks typically require certificates dated within 30 days. Law firms and lenders may accept certificates up to 90 days old, but check with your specific institution. Order as close to your transaction date as possible.
If your corporation has missed required filings (most commonly the Annual Return), the certificate will state "In Default" instead of "Active." To restore Active status, you need to file the outstanding Annual Returns. As of February 1, 2025, all Ontario corporate filings (including Annual Returns) require a Company Key. Ontario Business Central can help with both the outstanding Annual Return filings and Company Key retrieval, then re-order the certificate once your status is restored.
No. A Certificate of Status confirms only whether the corporation is currently active or in default. To see directors, officers, and share structure, order a Corporate Profile Report — which is available as an add-on on the same order form. Many transactions (especially M&A and large bank approvals) require both documents together.
"Certificate of Status" is the Ontario term used for provincial corporations. "Certificate of Compliance" is the equivalent term used for Federal corporations registered with Corporations Canada under the CBCA. Both serve the same legal purpose for banks, law firms, and lenders. Ontario Business Central can retrieve both, depending on whether your corporation is provincial (Ontario, BC, Alberta, etc.) or federal.
Yes. Ontario Business Central provides Certificates of Status for all Canadian provinces and territories — Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Federal corporations through Corporations Canada. Select your jurisdiction in the order form. Turnaround times and government fees vary by province.
Yes. Use the "Add Another Search" button on the order form to add multiple corporations to a single order. This is commonly used by law firms, accounting offices, and corporate due diligence teams. For 5 or more certificates, contact us directly for bulk pricing options. The Matter and Client File fields can be used by law firms for internal billing reference.
The standard Certificate of Status delivered electronically is the official Ministry document with the digital seal — accepted by all major Canadian banks and law firms. This is the same document the Ministry would issue directly. If you specifically require a paper certified hard copy with raised seal (rare, for some international or court purposes), contact our team for that option.
The 30-minute turnaround applies during standard business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm EST). Orders placed outside business hours, on weekends, or on statutory holidays are processed first thing the next business day. If you have a time-sensitive transaction, place your order as early in the day as possible to allow for any verification or address corrections that might be needed.
Have a different question? Speak with an agent or call 1-800-280-1913
