Named Company Incorporation With NUANS, Prepared and Filed by a CPA Firm for $35

What a named company incorporation costs

Our fee is $35.00, HST included

Our fee covers the CPA name screen and the preparation and filing of your Articles of Incorporation. It is $35.00 with HST already included. See every fee, ours and the government’s.

The government filing fee in your jurisdiction

Corporations Canada charges $200 to incorporate federally online, with the name search built into the application at no separate cost. The Ontario Business Registry charges $300 to incorporate online. Both are passed through at cost on their own line.

The NUANS report, who sells it and what it is worth

A NUANS report is sold by private search houses at their own rates. It is not a government fee. It tells you which existing names are similar to yours, and that is all. Order a NUANS name search report.

The three parts of a corporate name

The distinctive element, the part that does the work

This is the unusual or invented word that sets you apart, such as Prairie Ridge. A common word that many companies already use gives you very little protection.

The descriptive element, what the business actually does

This is the word that says what you do, such as Plumbing. On its own it is refused, because a name that only describes the business is not allowed.

The legal element and the endings the statute allows

Subsection 10(1) of the Canada Business Corporations Act requires one of Limited, Limitée, Incorporated, Incorporée, Corporation or Société par actions de régime fédéral, or the short forms Ltd., Ltée, Inc., Corp. or S.A.R.F.

Words you cannot use and words that need consent

Outright prohibitions in the federal regulations

The Canada Business Corporations Regulations, 2001 ban Parliament Hill, RCMP and its French forms, and cooperative or co-op where the name suggests a cooperative. United Nations is refused where it suggests a link to the UN. See the full corporate name rules, banned and restricted words.

Royal, government, university and financial words that need written consent

A name that suggests royal or government sponsorship, a university, a professional association or a regulated financial business is refused unless the right body consents in writing.

Using a family surname in your corporate name

Section 28 of the regulations bars the family name of a living person, or of someone who died within the previous 30 years, unless that person or their representative consents in writing and the person has a material interest in the corporation.

Obscene names and deceptively misdescriptive names

A name that is obscene, or that misleads people about the business, its goods or services, is refused.

The confusion test an examiner applies to your name

What confusing means against a trademark, official mark or trade name

A name is confusing when people would assume your business and an existing business, trademark or trade name are the same business.

The factors in section 19 of the federal regulations

The examiner weighs how distinctive and well known the existing name is, how long it has been used, the goods, services or business involved, how alike the names look, sound or read, and where in Canada each is likely to be used.

Why a similar name in another province can still block you

A NUANS search covers names across Canada, and the examiner looks at where your name is likely to be used. A well-known name in another province can still stop yours.

Consent letters that cure confusion

Section 21 of the regulations allows an otherwise confusing name where the owner of the trademark, official mark or trade name consents in writing.

What a NUANS report is, and what it is not

What the report actually contains

A list of existing corporate names, business names and trademarks that are identical or similar to the name you propose. See how a NUANS report is produced and how to read it.

A NUANS report is a search result, not an approval

Corporations Canada states that getting a NUANS name search does not mean it will approve your name. The examiner makes the decision.

The 90-day rule and why it expires faster than you think

A NUANS report is valid for 90 days. In Ontario, the report date cannot be more than 90 days before the articles are filed. A refused name or a slow decision can use up that window.

Ontario-biased against Canada-biased reports

Ontario needs an Ontario-biased report. A Canada-biased (federal) report is not accepted for an Ontario incorporation.

What happens if the registry refuses your name

Refusal before the certificate is issued

You submit a different name and the registry examines the new submission from the start.

A directed name change after the corporation exists

If a corporation ends up with a name it should not have, the Director under the Canada Business Corporations Act can direct it to change the name.

The deadline and the designating number

If the corporation does not comply, the Director can revoke the name and assign one under subsection 12(5), usually a number, and then issues a certificate of amendment.

The money you do not get back

A NUANS report is paid for when it is ordered. If the name is refused or the 90 days run out, you order a new report for the next name. That is why we screen before you pay, not after.

What our CPA reviewer checks on your name before we file

The pre-screen against the prohibited and restricted lists

Every word in your first choice and your fallback is checked against the banned words and the consent words.

The distinctiveness test on your first word

We check that the first word actually sets you apart and is not a common word, a plain description, a surname or a place name on its own.

The trademark gap a NUANS report does not close

A NUANS report lists trademarks but does not clear them. Only the Canadian Intellectual Property Office registers a trademark.

Named or numbered, and how to change your mind later

When a numbered corporation is the better answer

A numbered company needs no name search and no NUANS report, so it is faster and cheaper. It suits holding companies and owners who trade under another name. Incorporate a numbered company instead, or compare named and numbered costs at Gondaliya CPA.

Adding an operating name to a numbered corporation

A numbered corporation can register a business name and trade under it, without changing its legal name.

Articles of amendment to add a word name later

A numbered corporation can take a word name later by filing articles of amendment, with the same name rules applied.

Named incorporation jurisdiction by jurisdiction

Federal names under the Canada Business Corporations Act

The name search is built into the online federal application, so no separate NUANS report is needed for a straight incorporation. Federal incorporation at $200 government fee.

Ontario names under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

Ontario needs an Ontario-biased NUANS report dated within 90 days of filing. Ontario incorporation at $300 government fee.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Alberta needs an Alberta NUANS report. British Columbia uses a Name Request at $30, which holds an approved name for 56 days. Manitoba reserves a name for $45 and Saskatchewan for $50.

After your named corporation exists

Your corporate name is not a trademark

Corporations Canada states that name approval does not guarantee protection against other corporate names, business names or trademarks. A registered trademark from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office is a separate step.

Signage, domain names and the bank account

Use the full legal name, including the ending, on contracts, invoices and the bank account. Secure the matching domain name early.

Your first filing deadlines

Your business number, any HST registration, your first year end and the first annual return follow straight after the certificate.