Form your Ontario corporation in minutes. Select a numbered or named corporation with liability separation, Ontario corporate name protection and potential tax advantages. Same business day rush available.
Pick numbered or named, choose timeframe, share structure. Provide director and address details.
Standard ($54.99 + government fee, 1-3 days) or Rush (+$79.99, 2-hours).
Pay by credit card.
Receive your completed Articles once filed and accepted. We will email your completed Articles of Incorporation and supporting documents directly to you.
An agent reviews every submission for accuracy before filing.
If we spot any issues with your name, details, or NAICS code, we contact you before submitting to avoid Ministry rejection.
How to Incorporate Your Business in Ontario >>>
Information required to file your Articles of Incorporation
Your next steps once your corporation is officially formed
Our team reviews your submission for accuracy. For Named Corporations, we verify your business name availability and email you about any potential conflicts. We then prepare and send incorporation documents for your review and approval.
We file the Articles of Incorporation with the Ontario Business Registry. Once accepted, we email all completed documents directly to you.
Within 60 days of Incorporation, you will need to file the Initial Notice (or Initial Return) with Ontario, which lists corporate officers and confirms incorporation details.
A newly incorporated Ontario corporation has ongoing filing and record-keeping requirements. Depending on the corporation, these may include the Initial Notice, Annual Return, Notices of Change when corporate information changes, issuing and recording shares, maintaining corporate records, and maintaining applicable CRA tax accounts.
Three core advantages that come with incorporation
A corporation is its own legal entity. Your personal assets are protected from business debts and obligations, separating you from the corporation's risks.
Your corporate name is exclusively protected within Ontario. Other businesses cannot register the same name. Strongest protection short of a federal trademark.
Corporate tax rates are typically lower than personal income tax. Income splitting, deferral options, and ability to invest in real estate, stocks, and bonds through the corporation.
The main difference is name protection scope
Name protected within Ontario. Best for businesses operating primarily in the province. No Canadian residency required for directors.
Name protected across all of Canada. Best for businesses operating online, across multiple provinces, or planning national expansion. Requires 25% Canadian resident directors.
Two ways to structure your corporate identity
10-digit number assigned by Ontario, e.g., "1000123456 Ontario Inc." Common for holding companies, real estate ownership, or franchise structures where the corporate name isn't customer facing.
Your chosen business name plus legal ending, e.g., "ABC Holdings Inc." Required when you want to advertise the corporate name and protect it from competitors using similar names.
How OBC compares to Ownr, Service Ontario, LawDepot, and traditional law firms
| Provider | Turnaround | Agent Review | NUANS Check | Domain Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Business Central | 2-hour rush available | Canadian Human Review | Comprehensive | Included |
| Ownr (RBC) | 1-2 business days | Automated only | Basic | Limited |
| Service Ontario (DIY) | Variable | DIY no review | None | None |
| LawDepot | 2-3 business days | Limited | Basic | None |
| Traditional Law Firm | 1-2 weeks | Attorney | Comprehensive | None |
Why founders choose OBC: As a Registry Consultant, OBC bridges the gap between DIY government filing and an expensive law firm. Each filing is reviewed by a Canadian agent who confirms NUANS results and share structure before submission.
Quick answers to the most common questions about incorporating in Ontario
Standard service is 1-3 business days, Monday through Friday. Rush service offers a 2-hour turnaround when ordered before 3pm, Mon-Fri EST. Most incorporations are completed quickly with documents delivered electronically.
A NUANS report is a 7-page report listing businesses, corporations, and trademarks similar to your proposed name. It's required for most named incorporations to confirm name availability before filing. Numbered incorporations do not require a NUANS report. The Ontario NUANS pre-search and full report are included in our named incorporation packages.
Yes. Ontario does not require Canadian directors or shareholders. A foreign resident can incorporate in Ontario independently. This is a key advantage over federal incorporation, which requires at least 25% of directors to be Canadian residents.
With over 30 years of corporate registry experience, our team reviews your corporate name search (NUANS), share structure, and director eligibility before submitting your Articles. You receive direct registry confirmation alongside expert support for your initial corporate maintenance and filings.
One class of shares means all shareholders have equal voting rights, equal dividend rights, and equal liquidation rights. Two or more classes allow different rights. For example, common shares (full voting) and preferred shares (priority on dividends but limited voting). Multiple classes provide flexibility for raising capital from different investor types or maintaining founder control.
The Initial Notice (also called Initial Return) is a mandatory filing due within 60 days of incorporation. It lists corporate officer positions (commonly president, secretary, treasurer) and confirms incorporation details.
Required roles include directors (publicly listed, manage corporate governance), officers (publicly listed: CEO, CFO, COO, etc., manage day-to-day operations), and shareholders (privately held, owners of the corporation). A single person can hold multiple roles; many small Ontario corporations have one person serving as sole director, sole officer, and sole shareholder.
Yes, incorporation has higher initial costs (roughly $610 to $670 depending on whether you choose numbered or named), more paperwork (you maintain personal records and corporate records), and separate tax filing (the corporation files its own return in addition to your personal return). For small businesses without liability concerns or significant income, a Sole Proprietorship may be more practical until growth justifies the corporate structure.
A Minute Book is highly recommended. It is a binder containing your Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, share certificates, and meeting minutes. Banks and lawyers may request to see it. The Corporate Seal is an embossed impression with your corporate name, used for formal business transactions. Both are available as add-ons during incorporation.
You can add unlimited Trade Names (also called DBAs or Master Business Licences) under your corporation. This lets you operate secondary business names or use your corporate name without the legal ending for branding. Trade Names share the corporation's bank account and tax accounts, keeping admin minimal. We can register Trade Names alongside your incorporation or separately.
Once incorporated, you'll receive a Business Number (BN) from CRA at your registered office address. HST registration is mandatory only when revenue reaches $30,000 in a fiscal year (optional before that). Payroll registration is required when you start employing anyone. WSIB applies to most Ontario employers. We provide guidance and contacts for each.
Have a different question? Speak with an agent or call 1-800-280-1913
Start your corporation in 2 to 5 minutes
You may need a different registration based on your situation
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Steve Robert
I recently incorporated my business and was very hesitant to do this without my account, but after discovering Ontario Business Central Inc. and having the pleasure of Vicki leading me through the process every step of the way was incredibly helpful. Vicki answered my phone calls and was always prompt in ensuring things got done! Thank you Ontario Business Central Inc. and Vicki is absolutely customer centric and a tremendous asset for your organization.
Sally B
I had a great experience incorporating my business with Ontario Business Central. Donna was especially helpful - knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive throughout. The process was fast, seamless, and the platform was easy to use. I received my documents within two days. Highly recommend.
Ian Kwechansky
Just used them for incorporating a company. It was simple, fast and easy. Would recommend to use.
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