Register A Business
Ontario Business Registry
*Note, when clicking any of the following links you will be leaving the TBCNPS website.
A business licence applies to entrepreneurs who want to register a sole proprietorship, a partnership or an operating name (trade name) for a corporation. The name of a new business must be registered if it is different than the business owner's legal name. (i.e. John Doe would not need to register a name, but John Doe's Landscaping Service would need to register).A sole proprietorship or general partnership registration does not guarantee exclusivity of a business name. This registration does not stop anyone from registering the same name but allows you to operate this named business in the province of Ontario. A more advanced named search option is available here. This name search is not required for sole proprietorships, partnerships, or operating names for corporations, but is required for named corporations (i.e. The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.). A business licence can be used as proof of a business name registration at financial institutions and to facilitate any other business-related registration with the Ontario government. A business licence is valid for a five-year period and must be renewed once it has expired.
- The cost to register or renew a sole proprietorship or a partnership is $60.
- The cost for a name search is $13.80.
- The cost to incorporate a business in Ontario is $300.
- The cost to add an operating name to a numbered corporation is $60.
Only Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, or Mastercard Debit are accepted for payment, and an email address is required for all forms of registration.
Are you ready to register your sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation?
- Click here for a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the Ontario Business Registry.
- And click here to take you to the Ontario Business Registry website to register online.
2- Ownr
If you would like to register your sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation online, you can also use Ownr: a digital platform that helps you register a business in minutes. Complete with 30 free business name searches, exclusive discounts and offers for your business, and dedicated customer support to guide you every step of the way.
Use Ownr to receive 20% off your business registration, incorporation, or managed corporation plan today. Managed corporations plans also include unlimited access to Ownr's legal agreement library.
Click here to register your business through Ownr today!
Business Number
These processes registers your business for a Business Identification Number (BIN) (or a Ontario Corporation Number (OCN)) and not a Business Number (BN). A business number (BN) is your single account number for dealing with the federal government regarding taxes, payroll, import or export and other activities. If you plan to hire employees, or if you will be importing and/or exporting products or services you will need to get a business number. If you sell goods and services in Ontario, you may need a business number to charge and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).For more information, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525.