File Your Ontario Articles of Amendment Online

Articles of Amendment (Form 5261E) and Notice of Change (Form 5284) are two separate filings under Ontario corporate law. Articles of Amendment are used to change your corporation's foundational information: name, share structure, or minimum and maximum number of directors. Notice of Change is used to update operational information: actual director names, officer information, or registered office address. The two filings have different purposes, different forms, and different fees.

The Ontario government filing fee for Articles of Amendment is $150. When filing through Ontario Business Central, the total cost is $164.99 service fee plus the $150 government fee, plus HST. Optional add-ons such as corporate supplies, an updated Corporate Entity Report, or Company Key retrieval are extra. For name changes there is a NUANS fee of $55.00.

Ontario Business Central files your Articles of Amendment with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement the same business day after you approve the draft. The Ministry typically approves filings within 1 to 3 business days, after which your Certificate of Amendment is emailed to you. Once approved, your new corporate name is legally in effect immediately.

Yes, a current Ontario-biased NUANS name search report is required when changing your corporation's name to a new named corporation. The report cannot be more than 90 days old at the time of filing. A NUANS report is not required if you are changing to a numbered name such as 1234567 Ontario Inc.

Yes, most Articles of Amendment require shareholder approval through a special resolution. Under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), changes to your corporation's name, share structure, or director limits typically require approval from at least two-thirds of voting shareholders. The resolution should be documented in your corporate records before filing. For single-shareholder corporations, you can sign a written resolution yourself.

Yes, you can change your corporation between a named and numbered format using Articles of Amendment. Changing from a named corporation to a number does not require a NUANS report. Changing from a numbered corporation to a new named corporation requires a NUANS name search to confirm the proposed name is available. Both changes use the same Form 5261E filing.

Yes. A name change through Articles of Amendment does not affect your corporation's original incorporation date, Ontario Corporation Number (OCN), or its legal continuity. The corporation remains the same legal entity with the same record. Your old name simply becomes part of the corporation's historical details, while the new name appears on all future filings and your Certificate of Amendment.

A name change through Articles of Amendment legally changes your corporation's name on the public record. A Trade Name (also called a DBA) lets you operate under a different name without changing your legal corporate name. Articles of Amendment provide name protection for the corporation itself, while a Trade Name does not protect the name and must be renewed every five years.

A Company Key is a 9-digit code issued by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement that authorizes filings on your Ontario corporation. As of February 1, 2025, the Company Key is mandatory for every filing through the Ontario Business Registry. You'll find your Company Key on the verification letter mailed to your registered office address. If you can't locate it, our agents can retrieve it as part of your filing.

After receiving your Certificate of Amendment, update your corporation's records with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), your bank, suppliers, customers, and any government licenses or permits that reference your corporation. For name changes, you'll also want to update business cards, signage, your website, contracts, and marketing materials. Your old name remains in your corporation's historical record on the public registry.