How to incorporate in Quebec
Quebec incorporation runs under the Business Corporations Act (Quebec) and is filed with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ). Government fee is ~$378. Names must comply with the Charter of the French Language. Here’s the full process.
Updated June 2026.
Why incorporate provincially in Quebec
Operating in Quebec under a Quebec corporation simplifies the language compliance (you’ll deal with REQ and the OQLF anyway) and avoids the extra-provincial registration step a federal corporation would face. If your business is centred in Quebec, provincial is the standard choice.
Step 1: Choose a name that complies with French language law
Quebec corporate names must include a French version. You can use a non-French name alongside it - e.g., Logistique Feuille d’Érable inc. / Maple Leaf Logistics Inc. - but at minimum, a French version must exist and be the one displayed publicly in Quebec.
Legal endings: inc., incorporée, société par actions, ltd., limited, ltd., limitée.
You can also incorporate with a numbered name - e.g., 9876543-2 Québec inc. - and adopt a trade name later.
Step 2: Name search
Run a Quebec-specific search via REQ’s free online tools, plus a NUANS search if you want broader coverage. REQ examines the name as part of the filing and can reject it for conflict or non-compliance.
Step 3: File the Constituting Act (Articles)
File the Statuts de constitution through the REQ online service. You’ll provide:
- Proposed name (and any French/English variants).
- Address of head office (must be in Quebec).
- Names and addresses of first directors. Quebec does not require Canadian-resident directors.
- Share structure - classes, rights, restrictions.
- Restrictions on activities (rarely used).
Government fee: ~$378 regular, with priority service available for more. REQ usually processes online filings within a few business days.
Step 4: Receive your NEQ
On approval, REQ issues your 10-digit Numéro d’entreprise du Québec (NEQ) along with your incorporation certificate. The NEQ is the Quebec equivalent of a provincial registration number and is required on most filings.
Step 5: File the initial declaration
Within 60 days of incorporation, file your Déclaration initiale with REQ. It confirms directors, shareholders (with 10%+ stake), and addresses. Free, but penalties apply if missed.
You’ll then file an annual Déclaration de mise à jour annuelle, due within six months of fiscal year-end. Annual fee is around $98.
Step 6: After REQ approves
- Get a CRA Business Number if not auto-issued. Guide.
- Register for QST with Revenu Québec separately from GST - this is the part that catches federal-corp founders by surprise. QST is administered provincially.
- Register for GST/HST with CRA. Guide.
- Hold organizational meetings - appoint officers, issue shares, adopt bylaws.
- Open a business bank account.
- Set up accounting with software that handles both GST and QST (Zoho Books, Xero, FreshBooks all do).
French language compliance after incorporation
Quebec’s Charter of the French Language (Bill 101, recently strengthened by Bill 96) requires French versions of contracts, public-facing communications, and (for businesses with 25+ employees) francization programs registered with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). Build this into your day-one plan if you’ll operate in Quebec.
Total cost
| Item | DIY | With service |
|---|---|---|
| REQ filing fee | ~$378 | ~$378 |
| Name search | $0–$30 | Often included |
| Service fee | - | $200–$800 |
| Minute book | ~$50 | Included |
| All-in | ~$430 | $600–$1,200 |
FAQ
Can I incorporate in Quebec without speaking French?
Yes, but you’ll need French-language documents and public communications. Most online incorporators handle the bilingual filing for you.
Federal or provincial for a Montreal startup?
Either works. Provincial is simpler if you’ll operate only in Quebec; federal is cleaner if you’ll have offices or significant operations elsewhere. Federal corporations operating in Quebec still register with REQ extra-provincially and get a NEQ.
What’s the difference between GST/HST and QST?
GST is federal (5%, administered by CRA). QST is provincial (9.975%, administered by Revenu Québec). You register and file separately for each.
Next steps
- Get your CRA Business Number.
- Register for GST/HST (CRA) and QST (Revenu Québec).
- Compare accounting software.
Last updated: June 4, 2026. We review this page when rules or pricing change. Spot an error?