Register Your Business

Who Must Register Under the Business Names Act

“Registering” a business most often refers to registering the name of a business. In Ontario, it is a legal requirement to register your business name if any of the following applies: 

• Sole proprietorships (one owner) carrying on business under a name other than the individual’s full name;
• Partnerships carrying on business under a firm name other than the full names of the partners;
• Corporations carrying on business under a name other than their corporate name;
• An existing general partnership or limited partnership registering a business name different from the registered firm name;
• Limited liability partnerships;
• Extra-provincial limited liability partnerships;
• And extra-provincial limited liability companies

Where can I register my Business?

There are 4 ways to register your business: 

By Internet

i)     The Ontario Ministry of Government Services:  

Registering requires Netscape Communicator 4.08 or higher, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. Immediate registration if completed between the regular business hours of 8:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, (you can print a copy from your computer) for a fee of $60.00 payable by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).

If registration is completed during regular business hours a Master Business License is printed off from your computer right away followed by an electronic savable copy which can then be printed off if necessary) within 2 business days if a valid email address is provided.

If no email address is provided a copy will be mailed to you within 10 business days. If done outside the hours of operation or on statutory holidays or Remembrance Day, allow up to 2 weeks for delivery of the Master Business License.

A name search can also be done online for a fee of $8.00. 

ii)     The Canada Revenue Agency:

Registration requires Netscape Communicator 4.x or higher (but not 6.0), or Internet Explorer version 4.x or higher (version 5.5 may require a service pack). Registration takes about 30 minutes and costs $60 (payment by credit card only).

Name searches are not available with this method of registration. 

iii)     From an OBC (Ontario Business Connects) computer terminal

Service Ontario Centre 

Registering at an OBC computer takes about 30 minutes and costs $60. Searches of sole proprietorship, general partnership and corporate trade style names are available at the workstations for $8 per name.

400 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, ON K8A 3K8

Or

316 Plaunt St. South
Renfrew, ON K7V 1R6 

 By Mail 

Mail registration requires “Form 1” (Registration under the Business Names Act-Sole Proprietorship/Partnership), takes 4-6 weeks and costs $80.

Registration under the Business Names Act-Sole Proprietorship/Partnership

Registering a business name does not give you exclusive rights to the use of the name. You can conduct a name search of existing sole proprietorships and partnerships in Ontario, however this name search is optional as sole proprietorship and partnership names are not protected. You can conduct name searches at an OBC computer ($8 per name) or by mail ($12 per name).

To protect a business name you must incorporate or apply for a trademark.

More information on registering a business name or partnership 

Registration Expiry/Renewal

A business name registration is effective for five years. To continue using the name it must be renewed before the expiry date set out on the registration and a renewal fee must be paid. The registrant is responsible for keeping the information on the registration up to date and to renew the licence on time.

The Branch does not issue reminders.