Information on Online Incorporation

Why incorporate federally?

An increasing number of entities are choosing federal incorporation as their form of business organization. The enhanced name protection provided to a federal corporation, the increased recognition abroad of a federal charter and the high level of service provided by Corporations Canada staff are reasons frequently cited by corporations and their professional representatives for choosing federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

What are the advantages to incorporating federally online?

Filing online offers the following distinct advantages:

• convenience - file from the office or from home - the electronic filing centre is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day



• reduced delivery costs - traditional delivery expenses and delays are eliminated with online submissions



• immediate acknowledgement of filing - no more guessing as to whether your submission has been received



• prompt articles processing - electronic submissions direct to our data base enable Corporations Canada to offer expedient processing within either the same day or next day turnaround, depending on the time of filing and complexity of the application.



• reduced filing fee - the fee for online filing for federal business incorporation is $200 rather than the regular fee of $250

How does one file articles for a CBCA corporation online?

First go to the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre featured on this website in the online filing section. Next, register with the Strategis Secure Server Facilities to access the Online Filing Home Page, then choose articles of incorporation from the list of menu choices available and select one of the four incorporation options available:

• incorporation of a numbered name corporation, eg., 1234567 Canada Inc.;



• incorporation of a corporation with a name pre-approved by Corporations Canada (a NUANS® search in electronic format is required to accompany the submission); or



• incorporation of a corporation where name approval is to be sought (a NUANS® search in electronic format is required to accompany the submission);



• incorporation of a numbered name corporation that has been pre-reserved.

Follow the menus provided to complete the necessary documents online and then, using your American Express®, Visa® or Mastercard® account, charge the prescribed $200 filing fee through the secure online payment facilty. Note that you can import ("cut and paste") from models of articles that you may already be using.

How long does it take to incorporate a CBCA corporation online?

Same day service - we are committed to providing same-day service. Submit your articles before 13:00 hours(est) any business day and we should be able to process your incorporation certificate on the same day by 17:00 hours(est).^*

^*assumes that documents are in prescribed form and that the corporate name (if applicable) is accepted.

Do documents have to be signed?

Amendments to the CBCA Regulations enacted in 1999 provide for the filing of documents in electronic format, without an original signature. It should be noted however that originally signed copies of all documents must be maintained in the records of the corporation.

How can I provide feedback to Corporations Canada?

You can provide feedback to us by contacting us directly by phone or letter. Clients who file online also have the opportunity to complete an online survey once their transaction is completed (an invitation to complete this survey can be found in the email which contains your official documents from Corporations Canada).

Should you require any additional information regarding our e-commerce initiatives or any of the products and services offered by Corporations Canada, please contact one of our offices at the addresses provided below or send your enquiry electronically using the e-mail feature found at the bottom of Corporations Canada Electronic Filing Home Page.

Should your questions deal with technological issues pertaining to Internet (software, browser, etc.), communicate directly with our IT specialists using the e-mail feature found at the bottom of Corporations Canada Online Filing Home Page.

Ottawa
Corporations Canada
Industry Canada
365, Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON
K1A 0C9
Telephone:613-941-9042
Fax: 613-941-0601
Toll free: 1-866-333-5556

Vancouver
Corporations Canada
Industry Canada
2000-300 West Georgia
Vancouver BC
V6B 6E1
Telephone: 604-666-9875
Fax: 604-666-4274

Montreal
Corporations Canada
Industry Canada
5 Place Ville Marie
Montreal QC
H3B 2G2
Telephone: 514-496-1797
Fax: 514-283-2247

Toronto
Corporations Canada
Industry Canada
151 Yonge Street
Toronto ON
M5C 2W7
Telephone: 416-954-2714
Fax: 416-973-8714