File Articles of Continuance to move your corporation between Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Federal jurisdictions. Our team prepares all required documents (NUANS reports, share structures, director information, name reservations) and files directly with each registry.
Select where your corporation is currently registered and where you want to move it. We support all combinations between Federal, Ontario, BC, and Alberta.
Pricing Varies.
Pay by credit card.
We coordinate the continuance-out authorization in your current jurisdiction, prepare and file the Articles of Continuance in your new jurisdiction, and complete the required post-continuance steps with both registries. You receive confirmation when the move is complete.
How a Corporation Moves Between Canadian Jurisdictions
Articles of Continuance allow an existing corporation to legally move from one Canadian jurisdiction to another without dissolving and creating a new corporation. Rather than losing its corporate history, contracts, assets, and legal identity, the corporation continues as the same entity under the laws of a new jurisdiction. The process requires the corporation to be in good standing and to satisfy any remaining obligations in its original jurisdiction before continuance can be completed.
A continuance preserves the corporation's existing legal identity, business history, contracts, assets, and obligations.
Before a corporation can continue into a new jurisdiction, it must meet the legal requirements of both the departing and receiving jurisdiction
Continuance allows a corporation to operate under the corporate legislation of its new jurisdiction while maintaining its existing structure.
Three Things Happen Automatically
Our team reviews your submission for accuracy. We verify your corporation and email you about any potential missing items. We then prepare and send documents for your review and approval.
Our team prepares your NUANS report, draft Articles of Continuance, share structure documents, and any jurisdiction-specific extras (Alberta affidavits, BC Name Reservation, etc.). We email everything for your review.
We coordinate the required continuance-out steps with your original jurisdiction and complete the Articles of Continuance filing with your new jurisdiction. Processing times vary by jurisdiction. Once complete, you receive your Certificate of Continuance from the new jurisdiction and the applicable confirmation from your former jurisdiction. Your corporation then operates under the laws of the new jurisdiction.
Each of the four jurisdictions has its own specific requirements layered on top of the core documents.
Have the following ready before you start the filing process
Corporate Name Reservation
Original Jurisdiction Information
Director Information
Office Addresses
Authorized Share Structure
Letter of Satisfaction or Jurisdiction Equivalent
As of February 1st, 2025, the Company Key is mandatory for all filings and transactions in the Ontario Business Registry (OBR), including Annual Returns, Initial Notices, Articles of Amendment, Notices of Change (registered office or directors), Articles of Dissolution, and Continuances out of Ontario. A Company Key is only required for Continuances into Ontario if you have previously had an Ontario Corporate Number (OCN).
Pre-October 19, 2021 corporations were not issued a Company Key Automatically. You must request one before you can complete any filing. Post-October 2021 corporations received a Company Key with their incorporation, but if it has been lost or misplaced, a replacement can be requested.
Quick answers to the most common questions about moving a corporation between jurisdictions.
OBC is a direct NUANS member, which means we can prepare your NUANS report and file your continuance through dedicated registry channels rather than the public-facing portal. We've been operating since 1992 and have completed continuances between Federal, Ontario, Alberta, and BC jurisdictions for thousands of corporations. Our team handles both ends of the move, the discontinuance in your original jurisdiction and continuance in your new one, and coordinates the Letter of Satisfaction or equivalent, Company Key, and jurisdiction-specific extras like Alberta affidavits and BC name reservations.
Articles of Continuance is the legal process used to move an existing corporation from one Canadian jurisdiction to another without dissolving and re-incorporating. The corporation continues as the same legal entity under the new jurisdiction's laws, keeping its corporate history, assets, contracts, and obligations intact. It's used when a corporation wants to relocate its registered office, take advantage of a different jurisdiction's corporate law framework, or align with where the business now operates.
OBC files Articles of Continuance between the four major Canadian jurisdictions: Federal (Canada), Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. We support all combinations. For example, Ontario to Federal, Federal to Alberta, BC to Ontario, etc. Each jurisdiction has its own specific requirements layered on top of the core continuance documents, but the framework is consistent.
The corporation does not cease to exist. Instead, it ceases to be governed by the corporate law of its former jurisdiction and becomes governed by the corporate law of the new jurisdiction. Its legal identity, property, obligations and corporate history continue. Before the move can be completed, the corporation must settle any remaining legal and financial obligations (eg. taxes, final reports, outstanding filings) in the original jurisdiction. A Letter of Satisfaction (or equivalent document) is typically required confirming good standing. The old legislation ceases to govern once the discontinuance steps required by the original jurisdiction are completed.
Yes, if you're continuing into Ontario, Alberta, or Federal, a NUANS report is required (unless you're using a numbered name). The NUANS report confirms your corporate name doesn't conflict with existing businesses or trademarks. If you're continuing into British Columbia, you don't need a NUANS report as BC uses its own Name Reservation system, which we also handle. As a direct NUANS member, we generate the report for you as part of the continuance order.
A Company Key is a 9-digit security number established under Ontario's Business Registry (OBR), launched October 19, 2021. You need a Company Key in two continuance scenarios: continuing a corporation out of Ontario (mandatory), or continuing into Ontario when your corporation previously held an Ontario Extra-Provincial Licence. We can request your Company Key as part of your continuance filing, or as a standalone order.
Total time depends on the jurisdictions involved. Document preparation takes 1–3 business days. Filing and registry processing typically takes 5–15 business days, varying by jurisdiction. Ontario is generally the fastest. British Columbia takes longest because name reservation alone can take 3 weeks (or 48 hours with the expedited option). Federal and Alberta fall in between. We confirm exact timing for your specific move when you place your order.
No, your corporation will be issued a new corporate number in the new jurisdiction. Your old corporate number is retired when the corporation is discontinued in the original jurisdiction. However, your corporation continues as the same legal entity. Your contracts, assets, business relationships, and corporate history all remain intact. You'll typically update your corporate number on tax filings, bank accounts, and public-facing documents after the move.
Yes. Continuance is a natural opportunity to update your corporate name if you choose. You'll need a NUANS report (or BC Name Reservation) confirming your new name is available. The name change is processed as part of the continuance filing, there's no need for a separate Articles of Amendment. Many corporations use the move as an opportunity to rebrand or modernize their name.
Most jurisdictions require some form of authorization or consent from your home jurisdiction confirming the corporation is in good standing before the move can proceed. This is typically called a Letter of Satisfaction or Certificate of Authorization. We coordinate this on your behalf as part of the continuance filing, you'll need to ensure all taxes and annual filings are up to date in your home jurisdiction first.
Have a different question? Speak with an agent or call 1-800-280-1913
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