In Ontario, you can register with the direct, government-based Ontario Business Registry (OBR) or with the OWNR platform. The Ontario Business Registry is the province’s official platform for starting, managing, and updating your business. It’s available 24/7 and lets you register a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation entirely online.
Quick heads-up on logins: Ontario is shifting access to OBR services through the new Ontario Business Account / My Ontario Account experience. You’ll still get where you need to go, but the screen names you see may look a little different than older instructions.
Here’s how each option works—and what to consider before you choose.
Option 1 – Ontario Business Registry (OBR)
1. Sole Proprietorship
A business owned and operated by one individual. You and the business are legally the same, meaning you get all the profits but also carry all the risks.
An Ontario Business License (Business Name Registration) is valid for 5 years. If you had a license which is older then 5 years (and more than 60 days past the expiry date) then you will have to register a new license.
If your license is less than 5 years old and you need to renew it, you will have to log into your account using My Ontario Account and select your business name, then select “renew” under “make changes” in the toolbar.
If your old license is tied to the new account you will be able to pay the $60 to renew your previous license. (As this process tends to cause some confusion, it may be easier to let your previous license fully expire and just register again under a new business license with the same name).
Note: Only Debit, Visa, or Mastercard are accepted online, and you’ll need a working email address for online registration.
Registration Steps:
- Go to the Ontario Business Registry: Ontario Business Registry (OBR)
- Create or sign in using My Ontario Account / Ontario Business Account (you may see prompts to set these up as you go).
- Select Register a Sole Proprietorship / Business Name Registration.
- Complete your business name search (ensure it’s not identical to another registered name).
- Fill out required details: business name, business activity, your legal name, address, and contact info.
- Pay the $60 fee by credit/debit card.
- Download and save your Business Name Registration and Business Identification Number (BIN).
Pros & Cons
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2. Partnership
Two or more people share ownership of a business. Each partner contributes to operations and shares profits—and is responsible for liabilities.
Types:
- General Partnership – All partners manage the business and share liability.
- Limited Partnership (LP) – One or more partners have limited liability and do not manage day-to-day operations.
Registration Steps:
- Access the Ontario Business Registry: Ontario Business Registry (OBR)
- Sign in with your account credentials.
- Select Register a Partnership (choose general or limited).
- Provide: partnership name, type, partner details, business activity, and address.
- Pay the $60 fee (general partnership); limited partnerships have different fees. (schedule of fees)
- Save your registration confirmation and BIN.
Pros & Cons
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3. Incorporation (Ontario vs Federal) — read this before you choose
A corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders). It can own property, incur debt, and be sued—while owners have limited liability. You can incorporate provincially (Ontario) or federally (Canada). Here’s the part that trips people up:
The common mistake: “Federal means I’m covered everywhere.”
If you incorporate federally, you still have to register your federal corporation in every province/territory where you carry on business. That includes Ontario if you have an address, phone number, or offer products/services here. Read more: ised-isde.canada.ca
So a lot of Ontario business owners incorporate federally and then end up with:
- a federal corporation, plus
- an Ontario registration/filing requirement (extra-provincial / provincial registry filings),
- and two sets of ongoing compliance (federal + provincial).
If you plan to operate mostly in Ontario, provincial incorporation usually makes the most sense because it keeps your setup and ongoing filings simpler.
When federal incorporation is a smart move
Federal incorporation can be worth it when you have a clear reason, like:
- You plan to operate in multiple provinces (not just “someday,” but in your real plan). Read more: canada.ca
- You want stronger Canada-wide name protection (approved names are protected across the country—second only to trademark protection).
- You want the “Canada-wide” recognition that comes with federal incorporation (useful for some investors/partners).
Federal services and fees to know:
- Federal online incorporation is $200 via Corporations Canada’s Online Filing Centre.
- Federal corporations must file an annual return every year, and online filing is $12.
When Ontario provincial incorporation is usually the better choice (most common)
Ontario provincial incorporation tends to be the better choice when:
- Your customers, operations, team, and office are primarily in Ontario.
- You want one main registry to manage (Ontario) instead of federal + provincial.
- You want fewer moving parts and less admin in year one (which is when founders need time back).
You can always expand later and register extra-provincially in other provinces when the business actually needs it.
Federal vs Ontario incorporation — quick comparison
| Topic | Ontario (Provincial) Incorporation | Federal Incorporation |
|---|---|---|
| Where you incorporate | Ontario Business Registry | Corporations Canada |
| Name protection | Protected in Ontario (against identical names) | Approved name protected across Canada (stronger tests) |
| Where you can operate | Ontario (register elsewhere if you expand) | Can carry on business anywhere in Canada, but still must register in each province where you do business |
| Upfront government fee | Ontario incorporation: $300 (online) | Federal incorporation: $200 (online) |
| Ongoing filings | Ontario corporate filings (via OBR) | Federal annual return required; online filing $12/year |
| Admin complexity (Ontario-based business) | Usually simpler | Often more complex (federal + Ontario filings) |
Naming your corporation (NUANS®)
To name your corporation you must first conduct a NUANS® name search to verify if the name is available, because corporate names are protected. The federal NUANS name search costs $13.80.
Important: If you are incorporating in Ontario and using a named corporation, Ontario requires an Ontario‑biased/weighted NUANS report (a federal-biased report may not be accepted for Ontario filings).
Costs (Ontario incorporation + service providers)
- Ontario government fee for incorporation is $300 when filed online.
- If you incorporate through a service provider (such as OWNR, OnCorp Direct Inc.), you pay the government fee plus the provider’s service fee.
Federal incorporation costs:
- $200 if filing online through Corporations Canada.
- If you wish to incorporate federally, start here: Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre
Ontario Incorporation Registration Steps (Provincial) – self service
- Conduct a NUANS name search (unless you choose a numbered corporation).
- Log in to the Ontario Business Registry: Ontario Business Registry (OBR)
- If you incorporate through a service provider (such as OWNR, OnCorp Direct Inc.), you pay the government fee plus the provider’s service fee.
- Select Incorporate a Business.
- Provide: corporate name (or numbered option), registered office address, directors’ names and addresses, share structure, and articles of incorporation.
- Pay the $300 incorporation fee.
- Save your incorporation documents and Ontario Corporation Number (OCN).
Pros & Cons
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What the Ontario government filing does not do (and what you still need)
When you incorporate through the Ontario Business Registry using the self‑service option, the government is only creating the legal shell of your corporation. Think of it like registering a car: You now legally own it — but it doesn’t come insured, fueled, or set up for the road.
What is completed when you file online:
- A legally incorporated Ontario corporation
- An Ontario Corporation Number (OCN)
- A Certificate of Incorporation
- Basic articles showing share structure (very high‑level)
That’s it.
Everything below still needs to be handled after incorporation.
The things most new incorporators don’t know about (but must deal with)
1. Share issuance (required)
Your corporation does not automatically issue shares.
After incorporation, the directors must:
- Decide who owns the company
- Decide how many shares each person gets
- Issue shares to those shareholders
If you don’t do this, technically:
- The corporation exists
- But no one legally owns it yet
This step is usually documented through resolutions and share certificates.
2. Corporate bylaws (required)
Bylaws are the rules for how your corporation operates, including:
- How directors are appointed or removed
- How decisions are approved
- How meetings work
- Signing authority
Ontario does not provide these for you.
If you don’t adopt bylaws:
- Your corporation is incomplete from a governance standpoint
- Banks, investors, and accountants may flag this later
Most small corporations use standard bylaws unless there are multiple owners or investors.
3. Minute book (required)
Every Ontario corporation is legally required to maintain a minute book.
This is not a physical book anymore (digital is fine). It includes:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Director and shareholder resolutions
- Share records
- Registers (directors, officers, shareholders)
- Bylaws
The government does not create or maintain this for you.
If you’re ever:
- Opening a business bank account
- Applying for financing or grants
- Bringing in partners or selling the business
You will be asked for this.
4. Shareholders’ agreement (not required — but critical if more than one owner)
A shareholders’ agreement is not mandatory, but if there is more than one shareholder, it is one of the most important documents you can have.
It covers:
- What happens if someone wants to leave
- What happens if someone stops contributing
- How decisions are made
- What happens if there’s a dispute
- Buy‑sell rules
Without one:
- Disputes become expensive and personal
- Courts default to corporate law, not your intentions
For solo founders, this is usually not needed at the start.
The Ontario Business Registry assumes:
- You have a lawyer, accountant, or corporate service provider
- You understand corporate governance
- You’ll handle the post‑incorporation setup separately
Most first‑time entrepreneurs don’t — and that’s completely normal.
Nothing is “wrong” if you didn’t know this. You just haven’t finished the setup yet.
If you incorporate using the Ontario Business Registry self‑service option: You’re allowed to do it — but you are responsible for finishing the setup.
For many early‑stage founders:
- Self‑service works if you have professional support
- A service provider works if you want guidance and peace of mind
We always recommend you speak to an account or lawyer. BACD’s Referral Partners can help you.
Option 2 – OWNR
BACD has partnered with OWNR—a licensed, user-friendly platform that makes business registration fast and simple. Register Sole Proprietorship or Corporation only
- 30 free business name searches
- 20% off registration, incorporation, or managed corporation plans
- Exclusive discounts and offers for your business
- Dedicated customer support
- Unlimited access to legal agreement templates (with managed corporation plans)
When you register through OWNR, you’ll receive documents that provide you with the access to the Ontario Business Registry so you can make changes to your company in the future.
Banking Option
During registration, OWNR will prompt you to book an appointment to open a business bank account. If you prefer to skip this step, simply select “Open an account in-branch” to continue. Opening an RBC business account also unlocks additional rebates.
Click here to register your business with OWNR
(This link will take you off the BACD website)
Need Help? Register with a BACD Business Advisor
We offer paid registration services to help you get set up with confidence:
Sole Proprietorship or Partnership
$30 + HST (includes Master Business License)
Corporation (one director only)
$125 + HST (plus OWNR registration fees)
Conditions apply. BACD’s Referral Partners available for more complex incorporations.
CRA Business Number (BN)
Registering through OWNR or with BACD gives you a Business Identification Number (BIN) or an Ontario Corporation Number (OCN)—but not a CRA Business Number.
You’ll need a CRA BN if you:
- Hire employees
- Import or export goods/services
- Charge and remit HST
To get your CRA Business Number, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525 or register online.
