How to Register Your Business in Canada

You’ve got the idea, so now the paperwork has to catch up. Registering a business in Canada means completing the legal filings that let you operate under a business name, and what those filings look like comes down to where you set up and which business structure you pick. A sole proprietorship, a general partnership, and a corporation each take a different route. 

This guide covers British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, so if you’re setting up in Nova Scotia or Manitoba, head to your own provincial registry. Here’s how the process actually works.

Why register your business?

Anyone can own and operate a business. In the simplest terms, running a business means providing a good or service to consumers for a fee. However, registering your business ensures you are running a legitimate operation in the eyes of the provincial and federal governments, as they will have a formal record of your business. Registering your business also has implications for how you file taxes and can open up the option of accessing business tax benefits.

There are lots of good reasons to register your business aside from the legal requirement to do so. Having a registered business makes it possible to apply for business loans and open business-specific bank accounts to keep your finances in order. As a registered business, you can also hire employees if necessary, and you may be able to access business-specific discounts from suppliers in your industry. Finally, it can boost your profile with your customers, as they are more likely to trust a registered business and view your venture as reputable and legitimate.

In short, registering your business is a great way to legitimize your business and access the benefits and support that will enable you to grow.

What type of business will you be registering?

Canada gives you four business structures to pick from, and your choice decides what you file. A sole proprietorship makes you and the business one legal entity, so you own it outright and you call every shot. 

A general partnership works the same way with two or more owners running it together, while a limited partnership divides responsibility and access unevenly between partners. 

A corporation stands on its own as a separate legal entity, which limits your personal liability and opens up a lower corporate tax rate. Cooperatives run on member votes and consensus, and because they follow their own registration path, we’ve kept this guide to the other three.

Not sure which fits? Take the two-minute quiz or read our guide to choosing the right business structure.

What’s the difference between registering a business name and registering your business?

You only complete one registration, but you will need to choose your business name first before you can register your business in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Naming your business can feel like a major step as an entrepreneur, but there are some techniques to find the perfect business name that will help you settle on a winner.

Once you’ve landed on the perfect name for your business, you’re ready to register your business.

If you’re incorporating, you can also do so as a numbered corporation without choosing a name. You will be assigned a number by the government, and this number will be the name of your business.

Registration Costs by Province: Quick Comparison

The cost of registering a business in Canada comes down to your province and your structure, so here’s how the four compare on government fees alone.

*BC and Quebec charge a flat government fee for name approval, while Alberta and Ontario run searches through private providers, so those costs shift depending on who you file with. BC’s $30 applies to mail and in-person filings, and online filings add a $1.50 service charge for $31.50 total. All figures show government fees as of September 2026 and exclude registry agent or service fees.

Registering your business in British Columbia

If you haven’t settled on a structure yet, start with our guide to starting a business in British Columbia, which covers structure, PST, and business planning. This section handles the registration itself.

Request your business name first, through BC Registry Services online, by mail, or in person. You submit three names in order of preference, so a rejected first choice doesn’t sink the whole application. Online submissions cost $31.50. Once the province approves your name, you’ll get a Name Request number and 56 calendar days to register.

Sole proprietors and partnerships pay a one-time $40 fee, and the application asks for your business name, business address, and your own name. Registering through Ownr costs $49, with the government fees covered.

Corporations approve the name first, then open a Corporate Online account, draft Articles of Incorporation, and prepare an incorporation agreement. The province charges $350 on top of the $31.50 name fee, though that filing won’t produce your company formation documents. Ownr handles the whole thing for $699, which already covers the one-time government and filing fees, then renews at $199 a year.

Registering your business in Alberta

If you’re still validating the idea or weighing structures, our guide to starting a business in Alberta covers that ground. This section picks up at registration.

Register your business name first, then gather your approved name, business address, and the provincial license type you’re applying for. Alberta runs registrations through authorized registry agents rather than a government counter, so you’ll file with an agent either in person or online. The government fee for a sole proprietorship or partnership trade name is $10, though agents set their own service charges on top and those charges aren’t regulated. Ask for the all-in price before you file.

Registering your sole proprietorship through Ownr costs $49, with the government fees covered. Ownr can’t register partnerships at this time.

Corporations start with a NUANS name search, unless you go with a numbered company, which skips the report entirely. Once your name clears, the province charges $275 to file. That covers the government portion only, since a named incorporation still carries the NUANS report and your agent’s fee. Our Alberta incorporation walkthrough takes you through the full five-step process.

Filing directly won’t produce your company formation documents. Ownr handles Alberta incorporation for $599, which already covers the one-time government and filing fees, then renews at $199 a year.

Registering your business in Ontario

Ontario’s process runs deeper than the other three provinces, so here’s the short version. Our full Ontario registration guide walks through every step.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships register through the Ontario Business Registry online or by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario location. You’ll provide your name, address, a valid email, a description of what the business does, and your partners’ names along with any partnership agreement.

Online registration costs $60 while mail costs $80, and name searches add $8 to $26 depending on the type you run. Registering through Ownr costs $49, with the government fees covered.

Once you’re registered, you’ll receive a nine-digit Business Identification Number. Your BIN identifies the business in Ontario, so you can use it to open a business account, apply for a loan, and reach wholesale supplier pricing. Sole proprietors often know this registration as a Master Business Licence.

Corporations start with a NUANS name search, then pay $300 to file provincially. Federal incorporation runs through Corporations Canada instead, and our guide to federal versus provincial incorporation covers which one fits.

Neither government filing produces your company formation documents. Ownr covers Ontario provincial incorporation for $599 and federal incorporation for $499, both including the one-time government and filing fees, then renewing at $199 a year. Federal incorporation through Ownr is available for Ontario and Quebec businesses.

Registering a business in Quebec

If your sole proprietorship or partnership is based in Quebec, file a registration declaration with the Registraire des entreprises (REQ) online, in person, or by mail. You’ll supply your name, business name, address, and primary business activities. That single filing handles both the name and the registration.

Sole proprietors pay $41 and partnerships pay $63 under the 2026 schedule, with priority processing costing more. Quebec indexes these rates every January 1, so check the current schedule before you pay.

Registration gets you a Québec enterprise number (NEQ), which stays attached to your business for life even as your activities change. Your business name also has to satisfy Quebec’s French-language rules under the Charter of the French Language.

Incorporating works differently. Reserve your corporate name with the REQ for $27, assemble your documentation, then apply for your certificate of incorporation and NEQ. The regular fee runs $397, or $595.50 with priority processing. You’ll then file an initial declaration within 60 days, which costs nothing when you meet the deadline.

Filing on your own won’t produce your articles of incorporation or the supporting corporate documents. Ownr registers Quebec corporations for $699, which already covers the one-time government and filing fees, then renews at $199 a year. Federal incorporation costs $499 on the same terms, and our guide to federal versus provincial incorporation covers which one fits. Sole proprietorships cost $49.

One thing to plan around. Ownr’s GST/HST registration tool doesn’t cover Quebec yet, so you’ll set up that account directly through the CRA’s Business Registration Online portal.

What Happens After You Register? (Business Number & GST/HST)

Whichever province you registered in, your provincial registration number isn’t the end of it. Almost every new business also needs a nine-digit Business Number from the CRA, which works as your federal identifier and sits separately from the provincial or incorporation number you just received.

You’ll likely need a GST/HST account too. The CRA treats you as a small supplier while your worldwide taxable revenue stays at or below $30,000 across four consecutive quarters, and you can still register voluntarily below that line to claim input tax credits on business expenses.

Register your business in Canada with Ownr 

Registering your business is an exciting step toward making your dreams of entrepreneurship a reality. If you’re in BC, Alberta, Ontario, or Quebec, you can skip the hassle and let Ownr handle the filing for you. Most registrations and incorporations clear in one to three business days, and BC sole proprietorships often finish in a single day. If you have questions about what a registration includes, email us at support@ownr.co.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a business in Canada?

Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership costs $10 to $63 in government fees, depending on your province. Corporations run higher, from $275 in Alberta to $397 in Quebec. Beyond that, the cost of registering a business in Canada shifts with name search and service provider fees on top.

How do I register my company in Canada for the first time?

Go through your province or territory’s government services office responsible for business registration. First-timers usually need an approved business name before they can file at all, so start the name search early. Ownr handles both steps.

Can you run a business without registering it?

You can run a business without registering it if you are operating solely under your legal name. Most businesses have unique business names and must be registered. 

What documents do you need to start a business in Canada?

Most registrations ask for your business name, business address, and owner details, plus the names of any partners and your partnership agreement. Corporations need more, including Articles of Incorporation, company formation documents, and often a name search report.

Do I need to register a small business in Canada?

Most small businesses in Canada need to be registered. The only exception is usually businesses that operate under someone’s legal name, without any added words.