Ministry of Government Services: Services for Individuals

Location: Ministry Home > Services for Business

Company Information

Incorporating

The Companies and Personal Property Security Branch incorporates business and not-for-profit corporations.

Business corporations may be incorporated under the Business Corporations Act by filing Articles of Incorporation together with required supporting documents and payment of the required fee. It is the responsibility of the incorporator to ensure that Articles of Incorporation are properly filed with the branch in accordance with the Business Corporations Act and conform to law.

Not-for-profit corporations may be incorporated under the Corporations Act by filing an application for Letters Patent, with supporting documents and payment of the required fee.

Incorporating offers certain advantages to the incorporators and their successors but at the same time it also places certain responsibilities upon them. Before proceeding with incorporation, you should give the matter serious consideration. In this regard you may wish to consult a lawyer who has experience in corporate matters.

Information Sheets

Articles of Incorporation - Incorporating a Business Corporation - Updated: March 14, 2006

Incorporating a Not-for-profit Corporation - Updated: Jan. 27, 2003

Directors' Liability Under the Business Corporations Act - Updated: Feb. 6, 2002

Directors' Liability Under the Corporations Act - Updated: March 20, 2002

Professional Corporations – Information Bulletin (link to Ministry of Finance)

Forms

Articles of Incorporation (Form 1 under the BCA)
Consent to Act as First Director (Form 2 under the BCA)
Application for Incorporation of a Corporation Without Share Capital (Form 2 under the CA)

Helpful Links

View the Not-for-Profit Incorporator's Handbook, which includes the pre-approved objects for not-for-profit charitable corporations.

Visit Industry Canada's NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) website for a list of registered search houses that can assist you with obtaining a NUANS search report and filing your corporate documents with the Ministry of Government Services.

Visit our Service Providers under contract with the Ministry of Government Services to file Articles of Incorporation electronically through the Internet.

Visit the Industry Canada website if you are incorporating your business federally and would like to register to do business in Ontario at the same time.

Visit the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre website for information regarding starting a new business (e.g. Business Start-up Assistance, Business Planner and information guides).

Access Ontario Statutes and Regulations such as the Business Corporations Act and the Corporations Act online at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.

Telephone Service: For general ministry information, call (416) 326-8555 or Toll free 1-800-268-1142 (in Ontario).
For consumer information and advice: (416) 326-8800 or Toll free1-800-889-9768.
TTY/Teletypewriter users only: (416) 325-3408 or Toll free 1-800-268-7095.

Please send your comments, feedback and inquiries to: InfoMGS@mgs.gov.on.ca

Privacy | External Links Disclaimer.