Registry of Joint Stock Companies

The Registry of Joint Stock Companies directs and administers the incorporation and/or registration of all companies doing business in Nova Scotia, and non-profit societies formed in NS. It also provides and maintains a source of public information concerning the composition, activities, and other matters respecting corporations and partnerships.

Eligibility Criteria

Those planning to do business or start a society in Nova Scotia, or simply interested in finding general information about an existing company or society, should refer to the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

Summary

All businesses that operate in Nova Scotia must register with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies. The exceptions to this are:

• Companies and partnerships that are formed and actively registered in New Brunswick.
• Individuals or partners who are using only their personal names without a descriptive element or attachment such as 'and Associates'.
• A partnership whose sole purpose or object is farming or fishing.
• Persons who (solely as tenants in common) own or operate a grist or sawmills.

The Registry defines several "entities" for purposes of registration. This is done since procedures may vary depending on the "type" of entity/business being registered. The range of entities are shown below, and further information as well as a detailed of each may be viewed at the following Internet address: Registry of Joint Stock Companies - Who Needs to Register

It must also be noted that an annual renewal fee must be submitted in order to maintain a business registration with the province.

Limited Company - A business entity consisting of one or more shareholders and is often referred to as a "company" or "corporation".

• Registration fee: $95
• Incorporation fee: $270
• Annual renewal fee: $95
  

Partnership - A type of business formed by one or more persons or corporations.

• Search - Atlantic Canada Fee: $48.99 (inc. HST) or Canada-wide Fee: $61.24 (inc. HST)
• Annual renewal fee: $55

Sole Proprietorship - This type of business is defined as a "partnership of one."

• Search - Atlantic Canada Fee: $48.99 (inc. HST) or Canada-wide Fee: $61.24 (inc. HST)
• Annual renewal fee: $55

Business Name On Behalf Of a Limited Company - A limited company choosing to operate under a name other than its legal name.

• Search - Atlantic Canada Fee: $48.99 (inc. HST) or Canada-wide Fee: $61.24 (inc. HST)
• Annual renewal fee: $55

Extra Provincial Company - A limited company that has been incorporated outside of Nova Scotia.

Registration fee:

• Extra-provincial Corporation: $220
• Extra-provincial Insurance Company: $270
• Extra-provincial Bank, Loan or Trust company: $430

Annual renewal fee:

• Extra-provincial Corporation: $220
• Extra-provincial Insurance Company: $270
• Extra-provincial Bank, Loan or Trust company: $430
  

Society - A non-profit organization which has been incorporated under the Societies Act. Incorporation of the non-profit organization is not mandatory.

• Registration fee: $35
• Annual renewal fee of $25

The Registry also administers a database that is available to the public. The database offers information regarding businesses and societies registered in Nova Scotia, as well as results of Name Reservation requests. The database is available at the following Web site: Registry of Joint Stock Companies - Search our Database

REGISTERING ON-LINE
You can register your business name on-line using the Nova Scotia Business Registry, available at: Nova Scotia Business Registry - Online Entry

It is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From any computer with an Internet connection you can:

• Register a business
• Apply for, pay, and renew business licences
• View and change business information

FORMS DOWNLOAD
The Registry provides viewing of various registration forms on their Internet site. They are organized by "business entity" and may be downloaded at the following Internet site: Registry of Joint Stock Companies

Limited Registry services are also available at your local ACCESS NOVA SCOTIA office. Call 1-800-670-4357 for the office nearest you or see the document Access Nova Scotia.

The foregoing information originates with an organization not subject to the Official Languages Act and is available on this site in the language in which it was written.

Le texte précédent provient d'un organisme qui n'est pas assujetti à la Loi sur les langues officielles et il est mis à la disposition du public dans la langue d`origine.

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Registry of Joint Stock Companies
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
9th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
P. O. Box 1529
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2Y4
Telephone: (902) 424-7770
Fax: (902) 424-4633
Toll-free (information): 1-800-225-8227
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr