Joint Online Registration System - Introduction

The Governments of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario are working together to simplify the filing process for federal corporations that do their filing online.

The Joint Online Registration System, managed by Corporations Canada (Industry Canada), helps businesses save time and cut back their paperwork.

• Incorporating federally? Businesses filing federal incorporation forms online through the Joint Online Registration System can use this single-window service to access extra-provincial registration forms at the same time.
• Filing annual returns? The Online Filing Centre provides all the forms needed to complete federal returns and provincial returns, if they are required.

Simplified filing

Corporations are required to register in the provinces in which they will conduct business. The Joint Online Registration System is designed to provide sensible shortcuts that enable federal corporations to meet provincial legal requirements efficiently.

How joint filing works

The Joint Online Registration System provides a single-window service to clients who want to incorporate federally online and who are seeking provincial registration in one or all of the following provinces:

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario

Because every jurisdiction has unique requirements, the System provides a customized service for filers in each province involved in the partnership. Based on the information collected from each corporation during the federal filing process, it automatically selects the appropriate provincial forms and inserts relevant information. It also guides business filers through any additional requirements.

Provincial liaison

Once forms are completed, Corporations Canada will make the corporation's information available to the province.

File and pay online

Provincial registration forms can be accessed and, for the most part, completed online. Provincial fees can often be paid online as well.

In cases where provincial payments cannot be made online, or if the provincial forms require signatures, Corporations Canada will send the appropriate forms and complete instructions to filers via e-mail.

It's that simple!

Making online filing easier, faster and more convenient

The Joint Online Registration System expands Corporations Canada's extensive online services. On Corporations Canada's website, corporations can also:

• do their filing at their convenience: online filing is available 24/7;
• receive a quick response: federal forms go directly to Corporations Canada's database for same day or next business day processing; and
• save money: fees for federal incorporation online are $200 (compared to $250 for filing by mail, by fax or in person), while fees for filing annual returns online are $20 (compared to $40 for filing by mail, by fax or in person).

The website also provides a wide range of information useful to federal corporations across the country.