Law requires all businesses operating in Nova Scotia to register with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies except:
- New
Brunswick corporations and NB partnerships/business
names registered in New Brunswick
- individuals or partners using only their personal names without a descriptive element or attachment such as 'and Associates'
- partnerships whose sole purpose is farming or fishing
Registration procedures vary depending on what you
wish to register: Business Name on
Behalf of a Limited Company, Co-operative, Extra-Provincial
Company,. Incorporated Company, Partnership, Society, Sole
Proprietorship.
You can find more information on the legislation requiring registration from:
Definitions
BUSINESS NAME ON BEHALF
OF AN INCORPORATED COMPANY: |
If a limited company chooses to operate under a name other than its legal name, you must register the name.
How To Register: Business Name
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CO-OPERATIVE |
A co-operative is a user-owned and user-controlled business with a minimum of three founding members. It can be either for-profit or non-profit. It is a separate legal entity from the members so that liability is limited to the amount a member contributes to or invests in the co-operative.
How To Register: Co-operative
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A corporation incorporated in a province other than Nova Scotia.
How To Register: Extra Provincial Corporation
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INCORPORATED COMPANY: |
A business with one or more shareholders, often called a company or corporation. A company offers a separate legal identity for its shareholders, where company debts or personal liability may be limited to the amount a shareholder contributes.
How To Register: Incorporated Company
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PARTNERSHIP: |
A business formed by one or more people or corporations. Within a partnership each partner is potentially liable for all debts of the partnership.
How To Register: Partnership
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RECOGNIZED AGENT: |
This is the person who receives official correspondence and who may
be served, on behalf of the partnership, business name, incorporation
or society, with a writ, summons, process, or other legal notice. He
or she is also the contact for the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
The Agent does not have to be a lawyer, but he or she must be a full
time resident of Nova Scotia.
Recognized Agent Form |
SOCIETY: |
A non-profit organization which is incorporated under the Societies Act. Incorporation is not mandatory
for societies, but the benefits, such as limited liability for members, sometimes make this a good option.
How To Register: Society
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SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP: |
A business operated by one person, under a name other than his/her own first and last name. Also called a "partnership of one."
How To Register: Sole Proprietorship
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