4. Register your business online
If your business has employees, facilities, or offices in Ontario, you must register using the Ontario Business Registry.
If your business has employees, facilities, or offices in Ontario, you must register using the Ontario Business Registry.
You will need a working email address for online registration and a valid debit or credit card for payment. The registration fee depends on the type of business you are registering.
- Search the Ontario Business Registry for free to find out if your business name is already taken.
- Select your type of business to begin registration (You will be asked to create a My Ontario Account and a ServiceOntario Account during the set-up process.).:
- Sole Proprietorship - $60
- General Partnership - $60
- Ontario Limited Liability Partnership - $60 (this is a hybrid of a partnership and a corporate body. The partners can be individuals, companies or combinations of both)
- Extra-Provincial Limited Liability Partnership - $60 (this is a Limited Liability Partnership previously registered in another province)
- Ontario Limited Partnership - $210 (this is a business with at least one general partner and at least one limited partner.)
- Business Corporation - $300
If you are registering as a Business Corporation, you will also need to order an Ontario-biased or weighted Nuans name search report to reserve your business name if you are not using a number name. A Canada (federal) biased Nuans name search will not be accepted. The Nuans report must be obtained from a private name search company and may be found online or you can find a local Nuans member to order your report.
You can visit the Ontario Business Registry for a full list of ownership structures and their filing requirements.
- You will be registered for a 9-digit Ontario Business Identification Number (BIN) from ServiceOntario. You will need this number to:
- incorporate
- create an import/export account
- register for an account with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA)
Please note, your Ontario Business Identification Number (BIN) from ServiceOntario is different than a Business Number (BN) that is provided by the CRA.