Register a Business Name in Ontario
Register a business (trade) name with the Ontario Business Registry, either as an individual operator or for an existing corporation that wants to operate under an additional name.
$79 CAD + applicable tax. Filed within 1–2 business days.
Business Details
The trade name you want to register, and what the business does.
Register a business name in Ontario online
Korporex prepares and files business name registrations with the Ontario Business Registry under Ontario's Business Names Act. You tell us the name you want to operate under, what the business does and who is registering it, either you as an individual or an existing corporation, and we prepare the registration, file it and send you the result. For the bigger picture of starting out in the province, read our guide on how to register a business in Ontario.
Who this service is for
- Individuals who carry on business in Ontario under a name other than their own legal name, such as "Maple Ridge Consulting" or "Jane Smith Design".
- Ontario and federal corporations that operate or identify themselves to the public under a name other than their corporate name, for example a numbered company trading under a brand.
- Owners whose earlier registration has lapsed and who want the name registered again.
What we file and what you provide
We prepare the business name registration and file it with the Ontario Business Registry. You provide the name to register, the business address, a short description of the activity and its NAICS code. If you register as an individual, you give your full name and date of birth; if you register for a corporation, you give its legal name and its Ontario or federal corporation number. You confirm that the information is accurate, because the registration is a public record of who is behind the name.
Key rules under the Business Names Act
- An individual must register any business name other than their own name. Adding words to your own name, such as "Smith Consulting", makes it a different name.
- A corporation must register any name it uses other than its corporate name.
- The government fee is $60 to register and $60 to renew. A registration is effective for five years and has to be renewed to stay in force.
- A business carried on under an unregistered name cannot maintain a proceeding in an Ontario court in connection with that business without the court's leave.
- Registration is a public notice, not an exclusive right. Ontario does not stop someone else from registering the same or a similar name, and trademark rights are a separate matter.
A business name is not a separate legal entity. Registering "Maple Ridge Consulting" as an individual means you operate as a sole proprietorship and remain personally responsible for the business. Many owners who want a separate legal entity incorporate instead, and then register additional trade names for the corporation if needed.
Registering a business name: common questions
Do I need to register if I use my own name?+
Not as a business name. Under the Business Names Act, an individual only has to register a name that is different from their own name. Once you add anything to it, such as "Consulting" or "& Associates", or use a different name altogether, the name has to be registered before you carry on business or identify the business to the public under it.
How long does an Ontario business name registration last?+
A registration under the Business Names Act is effective for five years. To keep using the name, the registration has to be renewed, and the government fee for a renewal is $60, the same as for a new registration. A lapsed registration leaves the business operating under an unregistered name.
Does registering a business name protect it?+
No. A business name registration is a public record of who is carrying on business under the name. It does not give an exclusive right to the name, and Ontario does not prevent someone else from registering an identical or similar name. Protection of a brand comes from trademark law, which is separate from this registration.
Can a corporation register a business name?+
Yes. A corporation that operates or identifies itself to the public under a name other than its corporate name must register that name. This is common for numbered corporations that trade under a brand. The registration is filed in the corporation's name, using its Ontario or federal corporation number, and the corporation remains the legal entity behind the business.
Is a business name the same as a business number?+
No. The business name registration is filed with the Ontario Business Registry. The business number is a nine-digit identifier issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and used for tax accounts such as GST/HST and payroll. They are separate registrations with different government bodies.
Korporex is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is general information about business name registration in Ontario; for advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer or accountant.
Learn before you file
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