How to Incorporate a Business in Ontario Online — Step by Step Guide 2026
Yes, you can incorporate a business in Ontario online, without a lawyer, in as little as one to a few business days. The process runs through the Ontario Business Registry, costs as little as $300, and requires no legal background. Here’s the exact path, step by step.
How to incorporate in Ontario step by step
We’ve walked hundreds of founders through this process. It looks intimidating the first time, but it’s genuinely straightforward once you know what each step actually involves. Here’s the full picture.
Choose provincial or federal incorporation.
Before you file anything, you need to decide: are you incorporating provincially (Ontario only) or federally (across Canada)? This single decision shapes everything — your name protection, your operating jurisdictions, and your ongoing compliance requirements.
Provincial: Ontario
- Operate primarily in Ontario
- Lower cost (~$300)
- Faster filing, simpler maintenance
- Name protected in Ontario only
- Must register extra-provincially to operate elsewhere
Federal: Canada-wise
- Operate in any province
- Slightly higher cost (~$200–$250 + provincial reg)
- Name protected nationally
- Annual returns to Corporations Canada
- Still need Ontario provincial registration
If you’re building a business that operates primarily in Ontario — a local service, a startup, a consulting firm — provincial incorporation is the faster, cheaper, and simpler choice for most founders.
NUANS name search Ontario
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report confirms your proposed business name isn’t too similar to an existing one. You’ll need this report before you can file your Articles of Incorporation if you’re choosing a named corporation (not a numbered company).
The report is valid for 90 days from the date it’s issued — so don’t order it too early. You can get one through a registered NUANS search house or an online incorporation service. Typically costs $25–$75. Not sure about the full cost breakdown? Read our complete cost to incorporate in Ontario guide before you start.
Prepare your Articles of Incorporation Ontario
Your Articles of Incorporation are the founding document of your corporation. Think of them as your company’s birth certificate. They define what your corporation is, what it can do, and how it’s structured.
The majority of small companies just require a basic form of articles – the general nature of the business, an unlimited number of shares of the same class, and no particular requirements for these shares.
Key details you’ll need ready: corporation name or number, registered office address in Ontario, director information (name + address), share structure, and any restrictions on business activities.
File through the Ontario Business Registry
Once your articles are prepared and your NUANS report is in hand, you file directly through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) at ontario.ca/business registry. You’ll need an ONE-key account to access the portal.
The filing fee for Ontario incorporation is $300. After submitting, the system processes your application — often within one business day for online filings. You’ll receive a confirmation number immediately, and your Certificate of Incorporation once approved.
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation
After approval, the OBR will give you your Certificate of Incorporation via digital means. This will be proof that your company is indeed incorporated. Make sure to print it out and keep it somewhere safe since you will require it for opening a corporate account among other things.
Your Certificate will include your Ontario Corporation Number (OCN). Write this down — you’ll use it on every government form going forward.
Register with CRA for your business number
Incorporation at the provincial level doesn’t automatically give you a federal Business Number (BN). You’ll need to register separately with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — usually right after you receive your Certificate of Incorporation.
Through your BN registration, you can also set up your corporation’s CRA accounts: corporate income tax, HST/GST (if your revenue will exceed $30,000), and payroll if you’re hiring employees. This can all be done online at canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.
What does it mean to incorporate in Ontario?
To incorporate means to form a separate legal entity in the form of a corporation which exists independent of your individual identity. Once you incorporate your company, the new entity will have the capacity to own assets, contract, be liable, file lawsuits, hire employees, among other acts normally reserved only for individuals.
The main benefit which founders look forward to when incorporating is that of limited liability. This allows you as the founder to be free of any risks related to your own assets in case of a lawsuit brought against the corporation.
Besides, you also benefit from favorable tax rates as the corporation can be taxed at a rate lower than personal tax income levels once it is profitable.
Can you incorporate in Ontario without a lawyer?
Absolutely. The Ontario Business Registry was designed to allow incorporations without legal representation. For a standard small business — a single founder or small group, simple share structure, no unusual restrictions, a lawyer is not required.
Where a lawyer genuinely adds value: complex shareholder agreements, multiple share classes with special rights, businesses in regulated industries, or partnerships where protecting your equity stake matters a lot. In those cases, a one-time legal consultation is worth the investment.
For everyone else? An online incorporation service handles it cleanly, at a fraction of the cost, and typically faster than waiting for a law firm to schedule a call.
How long does it take to incorporate in Ontario?
Online filing: 1-2 days
NUANS report: same day
CRA registration: 1-5 days
Total from start: 3-7 days (all steps combined)
In practice, most founders who come to us with all their information ready are incorporated within 24–48 hours. The delays usually happen at the CRA registration stage, not the OBR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Ontario business to incorporate?
Yes — your registered office address must be a physical address in Ontario (not a P.O. box). Directors don’t all need to be Ontario residents, but a majority of directors of an Ontario corporation must be Canadian residents
What’s the difference between incorporating and registering a business name?
Registering the business name, which is less costly and easier, provides no protection against any liability at all. Forming a corporation will allow you to establish a separate entity from yourself and protect your personal possessions from any potential problems.
How long does it take to incorporate a business in Ontario Online?
Online filing takes 1-2 days, NUANS report is same day, and CRA registration takes 1-5 days. Total from start to finish is 3-7 business days. Using a service like Bizincs can get your Certificate of Incorporation ready in as little as 24 hours.
What happens after I incorporate? What else do I need to do?
After incorporation you’ll need to register with CRA for your Business Number, open a corporate bank account, set up your minute book, issue share certificates and pass initial director and shareholder resolutions. For a complete checklist read our full guide → Everything You Need to Do After Incorporating in Ontario.
Key Takeaways Before You Incorporate in Ontario
- You can incorporate a business in Ontario online, without a lawyer, for as little as $300 — start to finish in a few business days.
- For most Ontario-based businesses, provincial incorporation through the Ontario Business Registry is the faster, cheaper, and simpler choice over federal incorporation.
- A NUANS name search in Ontario is required for named corporations — but you can skip it entirely by incorporating as a numbered company and adding a trade name later.
- After you receive your Certificate of Incorporation, register with CRA immediately to get your Business Number and set up your tax accounts.
- The biggest mistake founders make is delaying incorporation — limited liability and corporate tax rates are two benefits you don’t want to leave on the table.
Ready to incorporate in Ontario online?
Leave the paperwork to us, concentrate on your business. With hundreds of Ontario entrepreneurs incorporated quickly and efficiently, why not let Bizincs give you your Certificate of Incorporation within 24 hours? No lawyer needed, 100% online, starting from $300 + service fee. Start your incorporation in Ontario today →
