Ontario · Hamilton–Wentworth / Greater Toronto Area
Hamilton is undergoing one of Ontario's most dramatic economic transformations, from steelmaking capital to a city with one of the fastest-growing arts, food, and technology sectors in the province. CorpStart files your OBCA corporation (Articles, By-law, and Minute Book) typically within 1–2 business hours.
Numbered corporation
$279
+ $300 Ontario gov fee
$579 total
Hamilton's growth story is attracting entrepreneurs who left Toronto looking for lower overhead without sacrificing proximity to the GTA. Many are incorporating for the first time. A common mistake in early-stage Hamilton startups is delaying incorporation while operating under a business name, leaving founders personally exposed and making it harder to open business banking or bring on a co-founder with equity. CorpStart gets you incorporated in hours, so you can focus on the business, not the paperwork.
Nearby municipalities (Burlington, Brantford, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Grimsby) all fall under the same Ontario Business Corporations Act. A single Ontario corporation covers your operations throughout the province with no additional municipal registrations.
Three steps: no lawyers, no registry line-ups, no guesswork.
Answer our questionnaire
Tell us your corporation name preference, share structure, directors, and Hamilton registered office address. Takes about 15 minutes. We flag issues before you pay.
We prepare and file
CorpStart prepares your Articles of Incorporation, By-law No. 1, and Organizational Resolutions, then files directly with the Ontario Business Registry. Most filings go out the same day.
Receive your Minute Book
Your Certificate of Incorporation, Articles, By-law, and complete digital Minute Book arrive by email. Your bank, accountant, and clients will recognise every document.
No hidden extras. The government fee is collected at cost and shown separately at checkout.
Most popular
Numbered Corporation
e.g., 1234567 Ontario Inc. Fastest option, no name search required.
$279
+ $300 Ontario gov fee = $579 total
Named corporation
Named Corporation
e.g., Acme Holdings Inc. Choose your corporate name, includes NUANS pre-search.
$279
+ $300 Ontario gov fee, NUANS search included = $579 total
I'm opening a restaurant or food business in Hamilton: do I need to incorporate?
You don't legally need to incorporate to open a food business, but a corporation protects your personal assets from business liabilities, including lease obligations and potential claims. Many Hamilton commercial landlords require or strongly prefer dealing with a corporation rather than an individual. Incorporating before signing your lease is strongly advisable, and CorpStart can have your corporation filed the same day.
Hamilton has lower rents than Toronto: is it worth setting up an Ontario corporation here instead of federally?
An Ontario corporation is the right fit for most Hamilton businesses operating in Ontario. If you plan to serve clients or maintain operations in other provinces, a federal corporation avoids extra-provincial registration fees later. For a Hamilton-based business with Ontario customers, an OBCA incorporation through CorpStart is cost-effective and filed same day.
Can McMaster University spinouts or research companies incorporate through CorpStart?
Yes. CorpStart prepares and files Ontario corporation documents: Articles of Incorporation, By-law No. 1, and a full digital minute book. University spinouts often have specific share structure needs (founder shares, IP assignment considerations) that go beyond the filing itself; consult a technology lawyer for those structural decisions. We handle the incorporation so you can focus on the early conversations with your institution and potential investors.
Learn more about Ontario incorporation
Full OBCA overview, what's included, and Ontario vs federal comparison.
The process is the same province-wide, but the tax angle and pitfalls differ by line of work and situation. Explore the guide that fits you.
Incorporate in Hamilton today
$279 service fee + $300 Ontario gov fee. Submitted to the Ontario Business Registry within 1–2 business hours. No lawyers, no delays.
Start my corporationCorpStart is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Ontario lawyer.