Registration
Business Registry Canada: Search Every Provincial Registry
The Canada business registry system explained: how to search the Ontario business registry, BC corporate registry, Registry of Joint Stock Companies and more.
The Canada business registry system is not one single database. It is a network of federal, provincial and territorial registries, each responsible for businesses that operate under its authority. If you run a sole proprietorship, your registration almost always sits in a provincial or territorial registry, while the Canada Revenue Agency issues the Business Number (BN) you use for tax, GST/HST and payroll. This guide explains who holds what, how to search, and how to read what you find today.
Federal, provincial and territorial registries: who holds what
Corporations Canada, part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, operates the federal corporate registry. It deals with federally incorporated companies, not sole proprietorships. A sole proprietorship cannot be incorporated federally because it is not a separate legal entity. It is created under provincial or territorial law, then linked to a federal Business Number for tax administration.
That split is the source of most confusion. Your business registry record (your legal existence as a business) comes from the province or territory. Your Business Number comes from the CRA. Both matter, and they do not replace each other. For a side-by-side comparison, see federal vs provincial business registration in Canada.
Provincial and territorial registries at a glance
Registry names and operating ministries differ by jurisdiction, and several have been renamed or moved online in recent years. The table below shows the common names as of the current tax year; confirm the current structure on your provincial or territorial website before you register.
| Jurisdiction | Registry commonly used | Handles |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | Corporations Canada | Federally incorporated corporations only |
| Ontario | Ontario Business Registry | Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations |
| British Columbia | BC Corporate Registry (BC Registries and Online Services) | Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations |
| Alberta | Alberta Corporate Registry | Trade names, partnerships, corporations |
| Quebec | Registraire des entreprises (Registre des entreprises du Quebec) | Individuals, partnerships, corporations |
| Nova Scotia | Registry of Joint Stock Companies | Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Registry of Companies | Business names, corporations |
| Other provinces and territories | Provincial or territorial registry | PEI, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut each operate their own |
How to search a Canadian business registry
Name searches are usually free, while detailed profile reports may carry a fee set by the jurisdiction. A practical sequence looks like this:
- Identify the jurisdiction where the business is registered or plans to operate.
- Start with Canada's Business Registries, a federal-provincial-territorial search tool that covers many participating jurisdictions in one place. Coverage is not universal, so treat it as a starting point.
- Move to the specific provincial registry for the authoritative record.
- Check name availability before you register, since a registered or incorporated name may block yours.
- Order a profile report if you need the address, status or filing history for a contract or dispute.
- Record the date you searched, because records change.
Our walkthrough on how to search for a business name in Canada covers the federal and provincial tools step by step.
Ontario business registry, BC corporate registry and Registry of Joint Stock Companies
The names people search for most often map to three specific systems. The Ontario business registry is the province's online registry for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, and it is where Ontario sole proprietors renew their registration and update addresses. Practical notes are in our guide to the Master Business Licence in Ontario, which is the document many Ontario registrants receive.
The BC corporate registry, delivered through BC Registries and Online Services, handles British Columbia sole proprietorship, partnership and corporate filings. The Registry of Joint Stock Companies is Nova Scotia's companies registry and registers Nova Scotia business names and corporations. Despite the similar wording, these are separate systems with separate logins, numbers and fees.
What a registry record shows, and what it does not
A public registry record typically shows:
- The registered legal name and any operating or trade name
- The registration or incorporation number
- Current status, such as active, dissolved or struck
- The registered office or mailing address
- Directors, officers or partners for corporations and partnerships
- Key filing dates and, in some jurisdictions, annual return history
What it usually does not show: revenue, tax compliance, licences issued by other bodies, or the private financial affairs of a sole proprietor. A registry record also says nothing about whether a business holds the permits it needs. And a registry number is not the same as a CRA Business Number, which is explained in what a business registration number is.
Keeping your registry information current
Most jurisdictions require you to update your record when your address, name or business activity changes, and some require periodic renewal or an annual return. Missing those obligations can lead to your registration being cancelled, which can interrupt your ability to invoice, open a bank account or hold a licence. If you are setting up for the first time in British Columbia, our guide to registering a sole proprietorship in BC shows how the registry filing fits together with your CRA Business Number.
This page is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Registry names, fees and renewal cycles change, so confirm the current rules with the relevant provincial or territorial registry and with the CRA before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single Canada business registry I can search?
No. Canada has no single national registry for all businesses. Canada's Business Registries is a federal-provincial-territorial search tool that covers many participating jurisdictions, but coverage is not complete and the authoritative record always sits with the provincial or territorial registry where the business was registered, or with Corporations Canada for federally incorporated companies.
How do I search the Ontario business registry?
Search through the Ontario Business Registry online. Basic name searches are generally free, while copies of filings or profile reports may carry a fee set by the province. Confirm the current search options and any charges on ontario.ca, and remember that a cancelled Ontario registration may still appear in older records or third-party databases.
Where is a sole proprietorship registered in Canada?
Almost always with a provincial or territorial registry, such as the BC corporate registry, the Ontario business registry or the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies. A sole proprietorship cannot be incorporated federally. Separately, you register with the CRA to obtain a Business Number for GST/HST, payroll deductions and income tax filing on form T2125.
Is my Business Number the same as my registry number?
No. A Business Number is a nine-digit CRA identifier issued for federal tax programs, often with two-letter program accounts after it. A registry number comes from the province, territory or Corporations Canada and identifies your registration in that jurisdiction. You may need to quote both, depending on whether the request comes from the CRA or a registry office.