Services and Contacts

Services Offered By Corporations Canada

Corporations Canada processes articles and applications within a variety of time frames, depending on the way documents are submitted. The time frames noted below apply only if no complications arise in relation to the proposed corporate name. They may also change during peak periods or around major holidays.

Internet

For CBCA only: Applications received by 1:00 p.m. via E-Commerce should be processed by 5:00 p.m. the same day. Otherwise, applications will be processed the following day.

For more information, call 1-866-333-5556 or send a fax to (613) 941-0999. You may also contact the regional offices.

One-hour service

Clients who come to headquarters between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 pm. will receive one-hour, over-the-counter service. This service is available for CBCA incorporation, amendment and restated articles only.

Same-day service

Headquarters staff can turn around batches of five or more articles within the same business day if they receive the articles before 8:00 a.m. This service is available for CBCA incorporation, amendment and restated articles only. Headquarters staff will also try to provide same-day service for batches of articles that arrive after 8:00 a.m., but they cannot guarantee it.

Service within three working days

If you send your documents by courier or drop them off by hand, Corporations Canada staff will process federal incorporation, amendment and restated articles within three working days of receipt. Staff will process other CBCA articles within a week while non-CBCA applications will be handled within one to three weeks. Corporations Canada staff can provide even faster service if you have used the model by-laws issued by Corporations Canada for not-for-profit corporations. Unless Corporations Canada staff receive instructions to the contrary, they will send the completed documents to the client by mail.

Service within three weeks

Corporations Canada processes articles and applications received by mail within three weeks of receipt. Staff will process CBCA articles within one week of receipt and non-CBCA applications within one to three weeks of receipt. It can provide even faster service if you have used the model by-laws issued by Corporations Canada for not-for-profit corporations. Unless Corporations Canada staff receive instructions to the contrary, they will send the completed documents to the client by mail.

For copies and certificates

As is Corporations Canada staff usually issue Certificates of Compliance or Existence and certified and regular copies of CBCA documents on the day after they receive the request and the required fee. Please submit requests in writing.

For inactive corporations, a delay of six business days is required since Corporations Canada must retrieve the required file from its archives.

It is now possible to apply and obtain a Certificate of Compliance or Existence online through Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre.

Copies or certified copies of Letters Patent or Supplementary Letters Patent are normally ready the day after Corporations Canada receives the request.

For more information, call 1-866-333-5556 or send a fax to 613-941-5789. You may also contact the regional offices.

Registration Section

To search under Canada Transportation Act records see Guidelines and the Procedural Changes: Office of the Registrar General of Canada

For more information, call 613-941-9053.

For CBCA exemption applications

Corporations Canada staff will issue an exemption order or send an appropriate response within 15 working days of receiving a request. Information kits are available.

For more information, call 613-948-4038 or send a fax to 613-941-5781. You may also contact the regional offices.

For name consultations

Corporations Canada staff do not handle telephone enquiries about names. To obtain a name approval, please send a written request and a copy of the NUANS® search report, if applicable, to headquarters by mail or fax. Most name submissions are processed within 24 hours.

Fax your request to 613-941-5782 or to 1-877-568-9922 (Toll-free)

For enquiries

Information is available on federal corporations and Corporations Canada policies and procedures. Write to headquarters or call or send a fax to the enquiry between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Ottawa time). Please limit telephone requests for information on specific corporations to no more than two at a time. If you have a detailed search request, please make it in writing. To obtain access to corporate documents in person, please call Corporations Canada in advance to make an appointment.

For more information, call 1-866-333-5556 or send a fax to 613-941-0601. You may also contact the regional offices.

Corporations Canada website offers:

• Guide to Federal Incorporation;
• forms and information kits (e.g. incorporation, amendment, exemption);
• policies, procedures and guidelines;
• a data base of information on federal corporations;
• online filing transactions; and
• information on choosing a name.

General points to keep in mind

• You may file most Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) documents online.

• Please do not call Corporations Canada for progress reports on your requests until the normal turnaround times have elapsed.

• Service standards are important to us. Please let us know if we have not met these standards. Write or call the Manager of Client Services and Examination Section, 9th Floor, Jean Edmonds Tower South, 365 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ont. Kl A OC8, Telephone: 613-941-2593.

• We accept Visa® and MasterCard® payments for services and filing fees.