Business Name Registration Information

A business name registration is valid for five years, after which time it must be renewed. It is your responsibility to keep information on the registration up to date and you are responsible for renewing your registration before the end of five years. A change to a business name or business type (e.g. general partnership to a sole proprietorship) is considered a new registration and you are required to pay the registration fee.

Upon registration you will receive a Master Business Licence commonly referred to as the MBL. The MBL can be used as proof of business name registration at financial institutions and to facilitate other business-related transactions with the Ontario government.

Information Sheets

Registering Your Business Name in Ontario - Updated: Nov. 30, 2007

Business Information Guide - Updated: Nov. 30, 2007

Forms

Registration of a Sole Proprietorship/General Partnership (Form 1 under the BNA)

Registration of a Business Name for a Corporation (Form 2 under the BNA)

Registration of a Business Name for a Partnership/Limited Partnership (Form 5)

Ontario Limited Liability Partnership, Extra-Provincial Limited Liability Partnership, Extra-Provincial Limited Liability Company (Form 6)

Applicable Legislation

Business Names Act (BNA)

Partnerships Act (PA)

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