How to Incorporate in Ontario (2026): Complete OBCA Guide
Incorporating in Ontario under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA) costs $300 in government fees and takes 2–5 business days. This guide walks you through every step — from choosing your corporation name to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation.
What is Ontario incorporation?
Incorporating in Ontario means creating a separate legal entity under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA). Your corporation can own property, enter contracts, hire employees, and be taxed independently from you personally. This provides limited liability — your personal assets are protected from business debts and lawsuits.
Ontario incorporation is the right choice if your business primarily operates in Ontario and you don't need national name protection. For businesses operating in multiple provinces, federal incorporation may be better.
Step 1: Choose named vs. numbered corporation
Your first decision: do you want a named corporation (e.g., "Maple Software Inc.") or a numbered corporation (e.g., "1234567 Ontario Inc.")?
Named Corporation
- ✅ Professional, branded identity
- ✅ Better for customer-facing businesses
- ⚠️ Requires NUANS name search (~$75)
- ⚠️ Takes 3–7 extra days
Numbered Corporation
- ✅ Faster (no name search)
- ✅ Lower upfront cost
- ✅ Can still use a trade name
- ℹ️ Less memorable legal name
Many founders start numbered and add a trade name later via a business name registration ($60 in Ontario). This is the fastest path to incorporation.
Step 2: NUANS name search (named corps only)
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report checks your proposed name against:
- All Ontario corporations
- Federal corporations operating in Ontario
- Registered trademarks (CIPO database)
- Business names registered in Ontario
The NUANS report costs approximately $75 and is valid for 90 days. If your name is rejected, you'll need a new report with a new name. LegalEase guides you through name selection to maximize approval odds.
Step 3: Prepare your Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation is your corporation's founding document filed with the Ontario government. Under the OBCA, it must include:
- Corporation name (or "numbered" designation)
- Registered office address in Ontario
- Share structure (classes, rights, restrictions)
- Director names and addresses
- Any share transfer restrictions (for private corporations)
LegalEase generates your Articles, By-laws, and Director Consent forms automatically based on your answers. No blank government forms to fill out.
Step 4: Director requirements under OBCA
Ontario no longer requires Canadian resident directors (amended in 2021). Key requirements:
- Minimum 1 director
- Must be an individual (not a corporation)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Cannot be bankrupt or under legal incapacity
- No Canadian residency requirement (removed 2021)
Step 5: File with Ontario Business Registry
Filing is done online at the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). You'll need:
- Completed Articles of Incorporation
- NUANS report (if named corporation)
- $300 government filing fee (credit card)
- Ontario.ca account
Processing time: 2–5 business days for standard filing. Same-day filing is not currently available through the OBR.
Ontario incorporation costs (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ontario gov filing fee (for-profit) | $300 |
| NUANS name search (if named) | ~$75 |
| LegalEase document package | CA$199 |
| Total (named corp) | ~CA$574 |
| Total (numbered corp) | CA$499 |
After incorporation: next steps
- Apply for a CRA Business Number (free) — needed for HST/GST, payroll, corporate tax
- Open a business bank account
- Issue shares to founders (document in a Shareholder Resolution)
- Set up a minute book with your corporate records
- File an initial return within 60 days of incorporation