Ontario Incorporation.

Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in Ontario?

No. Incorporating under the Ontario Business Corporations Act is a government form submission. CorpStart prepares and files your documents as a document preparation service. For complex structures involving trusts, estate freezes, or shareholders agreements, you may want independent legal advice.

What is the difference between a numbered and named corporation in Ontario?

A numbered corporation (e.g., 1234567 Ontario Inc.) is assigned a number by the Ontario government automatically: faster and no name search needed. A named corporation (e.g., Acme Holdings Inc.) requires a NUANS name pre-search and is subject to government name approval.

How long does Ontario incorporation take?

Ontario incorporations filed online through the Ontario Business Registry are processed immediately upon government acceptance. CorpStart prepares and submits your documents typically within 1–2 business hours of payment, during Ontario Business Registry hours (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm ET).

Does an Ontario corporation need to be registered in other provinces?

Yes. An Ontario corporation can only operate in Ontario without additional registration. To operate in British Columbia, Alberta, or other provinces, you need to register as an extra-provincial corporation in each province.

What is a registered office address?

Ontario requires every corporation to have a registered office in Ontario. This is the official address where legal notices and government correspondence are sent. It does not need to be your business address or a commercial location; a residential address is acceptable.

Can I change my share structure or directors after incorporation?

Yes. You can amend your Articles of Incorporation or update directors at any time through the Ontario Business Registry. CorpStart also handles amendments: name changes, director changes, address changes, and share structure changes.

Can a non-resident incorporate an Ontario corporation?

Yes. Since Ontario repealed its director residency requirement in July 2021, there is no requirement for any director to be a Canadian resident. Non-residents can serve as sole directors of an Ontario corporation. If you are considering a federal CBCA corporation instead, note that 25% of directors must be resident Canadians.

Do I need a NUANS report to incorporate in Ontario?

Only if you are incorporating a named corporation. Numbered corporations are assigned a number automatically and require no name search. For named corporations, a NUANS pre-search is required before filing. CorpStart orders the NUANS search as part of the named incorporation process.

What government fee does Ontario charge for incorporation?

The Ontario government fee to file Articles of Incorporation electronically through the Ontario Business Registry is $300. This is collected at checkout and remitted directly to the government; it is separate from CorpStart's service fee.

What happens if I make a mistake on my Articles of Incorporation?

Errors can be corrected by filing a Restated Articles of Incorporation or an Articles of Amendment, depending on the nature of the mistake. CorpStart handles both types of filings. Corrections are best addressed as soon as possible to keep your corporate records accurate.