How to incorporate federally in Canada
Federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act takes about 45 minutes online and costs $200 in government fees. This guide walks the full process - what you need before you start, how to file, and what to do after the certificate arrives.
Federal vs. provincial: which to pick
Federal incorporation gives you a name protected across Canada, lets you operate under one corporate identity nationwide, and signals scale. Provincial incorporation is cheaper, faster, and avoids the extra-provincial registration step if you only operate in one province. Most founders building anything beyond a local single-province business pick federal.
What you need before you start
- A proposed corporate name (or willingness to accept a numbered company like 1234567 Canada Inc.)
- At least one director who is a resident Canadian (or, since 2024 amendments, the residency requirement no longer applies federally - verify current rules at Corporations Canada)
- A registered office address in Canada
- Share structure (most founders use a single class of common shares to start)
- Credit card for the $200 filing fee
Step 1: Choose a corporate name
Distinctive names need three elements: a distinctive word (e.g., “MapleBoost”), a descriptive word (“Media”), and a legal element (“Inc.” / “Ltd.” / “Corp.”). If naming feels risky, a numbered company is faster and you can register a trade name later.
Step 2: Run a NUANS pre-search
NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) reports conflicts across federal, provincial, and trademark databases. A federal NUANS report costs $13.80 and is valid for 90 days. Skip this if you’re going with a numbered company.
Step 3: File Articles of Incorporation
File Form 1 (Articles of Incorporation) through the Corporations Canada online filing system. You’ll specify directors, share structure, share transfer restrictions, and any business restrictions. Online filing is $200 and usually approved same-day.
Step 4: Get your CRA business number
Once incorporated, the CRA auto-assigns you a 9-digit business number. You’ll add program accounts as you need them: RT for GST/HST, RP for payroll, RM for import/export. Detailed walkthrough: Get your CRA business number.
Step 5: Register extra-provincially
Federally incorporated companies must still register in each province where they operate. Fees range from $0 (Ontario for federal corps, post-2021) to ~$300 (Quebec). Province-by-province steps: Ontario · Quebec · BC · Alberta.
Total cost
- Federal filing fee: $200
- NUANS report (optional): $13.80
- Extra-provincial registration: $0–$300 depending on province
- Optional: incorporation service to handle all of the above (typically $300–$600 all-in - see our comparison of Ownr, LawDepot, and MyCorporation)
FAQ
How long does federal incorporation take?
Online filings are typically approved the same day. Paper filings take 5 business days.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate?
No. The filing itself can be done online by anyone. A lawyer is useful for non-standard share structures or shareholders’ agreements.
Can a non-resident incorporate federally?
Yes. Since 2024 the federal residency requirement no longer applies. Some provinces still require resident directors for extra-provincial registration - verify per-province.
Federal or Ontario incorporation: cheaper?
Ontario is slightly cheaper if you only operate in Ontario. Federal makes sense the moment you operate in two or more provinces or want name protection across Canada.
Last updated: June 2, 2026. We update this page when fees or rules change. Spot something out of date? Let us know.