Incorporation Guide
Last updated 2026-08-22. A practical guide from CorpStart, document preparation specialists for Ontario and federal corporations.
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report is a database search that checks your proposed corporate or business name against existing Canadian corporate names, business names, and trademarks. Ontario requires a NUANS pre-search before filing Articles of Incorporation for a named corporation. Federal online incorporations use an integrated name search at no separate charge.
The NUANS system is a national database maintained by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). It contains corporate names from all provinces and territories, registered business names, and Canadian trademark registrations from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). A NUANS report shows all entries that are identical or phonetically similar to your proposed name.
The report is not a guarantee of approval: the provincial or federal registry reviews the NUANS results and applies its own naming guidelines. However, a clean NUANS report significantly reduces the risk of a name being rejected at the filing stage.
Ontario named corporations require a NUANS pre-search before Articles of Incorporation are filed. The search must be dated within 90 days of the filing date. Numbered Ontario corporations do not require a NUANS search; the number is assigned by the registry without any name review.
If your proposed corporate name is flagged as confusingly similar to an existing name in the NUANS results, your Articles will be rejected. This is why CorpStart runs the NUANS pre-search before you pay and reviews the results, so you are not spending $300 in government fees on a name that will be turned back.
For standard online federal incorporations through Corporations Canada, a separate NUANS report is not required. The name search is integrated into the online application process at no additional cost beyond the $200 federal filing fee. Corporations Canada reviews the proposed name against the NUANS database as part of the filing workflow.
A separate NUANS report from nuans.com is required for certain federal filings that cannot be completed online: revival of a corporation, amalgamations, continuance under the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, cooperative filings, and registered intermediary filings.
A NUANS name search report from the nuans.com system is generated almost immediately online. The government fee for a NUANS name search report is $13.80. Third-party providers commonly charge $48 to $80 for the same report. CorpStart includes the NUANS search in the named corporation service at no extra charge, so a named Ontario corporation costs the same as a numbered one.
The report is valid for 90 days from the date it is produced. If your Articles of Incorporation are not filed within that window, you will need a new search.
Ontario requires that a corporate name have three elements: a distinctive element (unique to your business, such as a coined word, surname, or geographic term used in a distinctive way), a descriptive element (describes the business activity, though not always required if the distinctive element implies the activity), and a legal element (Ontario Inc., Ontario Ltd., Ontario Corp., or similar).
Names that are too generic, too similar to existing names, or that suggest a government connection (e.g., 'Royal,' 'Federal,' or 'Ontario Government') are commonly rejected. CorpStart's questionnaire flags these issues before you submit, and we advise on alternatives when your proposed name is at risk.
Can I run a NUANS search myself before contacting CorpStart?
You can purchase a NUANS name search report directly from nuans.com for the government fee of $13.80. However, interpreting the results (understanding which similar names are truly a conflict versus a harmless coincidence) requires familiarity with corporate naming guidelines. CorpStart includes the search and interpretation in the named corporation service, so you know your name is clear before filing.
Does a clean NUANS report guarantee my name will be approved?
No. A NUANS report is a search tool, not an approval. The Ontario Business Registry reviews the report results against its naming guidelines and can reject a name it considers too similar to an existing entry, even if no identical match appears. CorpStart applies the same review criteria the registry uses before recommending you proceed.
Do I need a NUANS search if I want to register a business name (trade name)?
Ontario's Business Names Act does not require a NUANS search before registering a business name. However, registering a business name does not provide the same protections as a corporate name, and an existing corporate name owner could challenge your use of a confusingly similar trade name. Checking the NUANS database before investing in brand materials is still good practice.
What happens if my proposed name is rejected after filing?
If the Ontario Business Registry rejects a proposed corporate name, the Articles of Incorporation are not accepted and the $300 government fee is not charged (or is returned). You would need to propose an alternative name and resubmit. CorpStart's pre-filing review process is designed to catch issues before you reach this stage.
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Start my corporationCorpStart is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed lawyer.