How to Incorporate a Business in Canada: Federal vs Provincial, Costs, and What Comes Next
Federal incorporation costs $200 and takes less than a week online. Here is exactly how to do it, when to go provincial instead, and the six things you need to do immediately after filing.
Federal vs Provincial Incorporation: Which Is Right for You
The default answer for most Canadian businesses is federal incorporation. At $200 online, it is affordable. It protects your business name across all provinces. And it gives you the credibility of a federally regulated entity, which matters when dealing with enterprise clients, banks, and investors.
Provincial incorporation makes more sense if: you are incorporating in Quebec (the AEQ process is tailored for Quebec and has specific French-language requirements), you are 100% certain you will only operate in one province and don't need national name protection, or cost is a driving factor (Ontario is $60 for a numbered company).
Cost
Federal (CBCA)
$200 online via Corporations Canada
Provincial
$60 (Ontario) to $400 (Alberta). Quebec AEQ: ~$345.
Name Protection
Federal (CBCA)
Protected across all provinces and territories
Provincial
Protected only in the province of incorporation
Compliance
Federal (CBCA)
Annual filing with Corporations Canada + provincial registration if operating in other provinces
Provincial
Annual return in home province only (usually)
Timeline
Federal (CBCA)
1–5 business days online
Provincial
Same-day (Ontario online) to 2 weeks (Quebec)
Best For
Federal (CBCA)
Businesses operating in multiple provinces, or with national/international plans
Provincial
Businesses operating in one province, particularly Quebec
How to Incorporate Federally: Step by Step
Do a NUANS name search
Go to Corporations Canada and run a preliminary name search. If you want a numbered company, skip this step. The official NUANS report costs $13.80 and must be ordered from an authorized provider.
Prepare your Articles of Incorporation
The articles define your corporation's structure: name (or 'numbered'), registered office address, number of directors (1 is fine for sole owner), authorized share structure, and any restrictions. Keep it simple — one class of shares, unlimited authorized quantity.
File online at Corporations Canada
Go to canada.ca/en/services/business/corporations. Create an account, complete the online application, upload articles, and pay the $200 fee. Approval typically comes in 1–5 business days by email.
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation
Once approved, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation with your corporate number. This is the foundational legal document for your corporation. Save it permanently.
Complete post-incorporation steps
Register for a CRA Business Number, open a corporate bank account, set up your minute book, issue shares, and register provincially in any province where you operate.
After You Incorporate: Six Things to Do Immediately
Register for a CRA Business Number (BN)
Your corporation needs a BN to file corporate taxes, register for HST/GST, and set up payroll. Register online at canada.ca/cra-registration or by phone. Takes 15 minutes.
Register for HST/GST
Mandatory once revenue exceeds $30,000 in any single calendar quarter or four consecutive quarters. You can register voluntarily before that threshold to claim input tax credits.
Open a corporate bank account
Banks require your Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation, CRA Business Number, and ID for all directors. Required for separating business and personal finances — legally and practically.
Set up your corporate minute book
Contains articles, bylaws, director register, shareholder register, share certificates, and meeting minutes. Legally required. Banks and lawyers will request it. Set it up immediately after incorporation.
Issue shares
Even a single-owner corporation must issue shares. This is done via share certificates documented in the minute book. A lawyer can do this in 30 minutes as part of incorporation, or you can DIY if you understand the share structure.
Register provincially if federal
A federally incorporated company that operates in a province must register to do business there — called 'extraprovincial registration.' Fee is $100–$300 per province. Required for banking and contracts in most cases.
DIY vs Hiring a Lawyer
For a simple single-owner corporation, DIY federal incorporation is completely adequate. The Corporations Canada portal is straightforward. The main documents (Certificate, Articles) are generated automatically. The post-incorporation minute book can be done with a DIY kit ($50–$150 from a legal supply store) or a service like Ownr ($499 CAD all-in).
Hire a lawyer when: you have co-founders who need a shareholders' agreement, you plan to issue multiple share classes (common for future fundraising or estate planning), there is IP to assign from personal to corporate ownership, or you want someone to ensure the minute book is properly constituted. A corporate lawyer typically charges $800–$2,000 for a clean, properly documented incorporation package.
Frequently Asked Questions
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