STEP 1: NAME RESERVATION
After you choose a business name, you must reserve it. Your name should be descriptive
and distinctive. We will help ensure your name is distinctive by searching for
similar names that are already registered (within the same geographic location).
There are two types of searches:
- Atlantic Canada Fee: $48.56 (inc. HST)
- Canada-wide Fee: $60.71 (inc. HST)
* If your name starts with "Canadian" you must request
a Canada-wide search. We also look for similar federally incorporated
names and trademarks.
A) Submit your request including:
- name
- phone
- mailing address
- proposed business name
- type of business you will conduct
- payment
- whether you want a Canada-wide search or an Atlantic-Canada search.
You may apply online at The Nova
Scotia Business Registry, use our name
reservation form, or contact us directly.
B) After two business days, contact us to find out whether or not
your name has been reserved. Check Name Reservation
Results or call (902) 424-7770 (press 1, then 1, then 4.)
If your name is reserved, you must register it as soon as you begin using it. We reserve names for 90 days only.
If your chosen business name is not
available, select another name and resubmit. The fee for the second
search is the same as the first. Every third search, for the same
registration, is free.
STEP 2: REGISTRATION
After you reserve your partnership name:
- Register online at The Nova Scotia
Business Registry or
- Complete a Partnership Registration
Form
- Return the form with the $55 fee. Use Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard,
American Express (include expiry date and cardholder name with
credit cards) or cheque payable to "Registry of
Joint Stock Companies". Do not send cash in the mail. You
will then receive your Certificate of Registration. You also get
a Business Number (BN), a common business identifier. We get it
automatically from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA, formerly Revenue
Canada) who assigns it.
If you need to register for any accounts with CRA, such as GST/HST,
import/export, or payroll deductions, give them your BN.
You must renew annually: $55
You must appoint a Recognized Agent
if:
- one partner lives outside Nova Scotia;
- there are 2 or more partners; or
- you are registering a partnership on behalf of a limited company.
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