Service / 03
Register your sole proprietorship, partnership, or trade name in Ontario. Government fee included. Filed with ServiceOntario same day.
Flat service fee
$99
+ $60 Ontario gov fee
$159 total
Three types of businesses that must register their name with ServiceOntario.
Sole Proprietorship
A single individual operating a business under a name other than their own legal name. Simple to set up, personally liable.
Partnership
Two or more individuals operating a business together. Each partner is personally liable for the business debts.
Trade Name (Carrying on as)
A corporation operating under a name other than its registered corporate name. Often used as a 'doing business as' (DBA) name.
Everything below is covered by your flat $99 service fee.
Three steps from sign-up to your registration certificate.
Enter your business information
Provide the business name you want to register, the type (sole proprietorship, partnership, or trade name), and a description of the business activity.
Enter registrant information
Provide the legal name and Ontario address of the registrant (the individual or corporation that owns the business name). The address must be in Ontario.
Review and pay
Review all details and pay securely. We file your Business Name Registration with ServiceOntario same day, during business hours.
A Business Name Registration is the simplest way to operate under a trade name. However, it does not provide limited liability protection; you remain personally responsible for all business debts and obligations.
Incorporating creates a separate legal entity, which limits your personal liability. If you are concerned about personal liability or planning to grow significantly, incorporation may be the better choice.
What is a Business Name Registration in Ontario?
A Business Name Registration (BNR), also called a business name 'master business licence' (MBL), is required in Ontario when you operate a business under a name other than your own legal name. It registers your trade name with ServiceOntario so that the public can identify who is behind the business name.
Do sole proprietors need to register their business name?
Yes, if you are operating under any name other than your own legal name. For example, if your name is Jane Smith and you operate as 'Smith Consulting', you need a Business Name Registration. If you operate under your own full legal name, registration is not required but may be beneficial for banking and credibility.
How long does a Business Name Registration last in Ontario?
Ontario Business Name Registrations are valid for 5 years from the date of registration. Renewal is available starting 6 months before expiry. After 5 years, you must renew or re-register to keep the business name active.
Is a Business Name Registration the same as incorporating?
No. A Business Name Registration (BNR) registers a name for a sole proprietor or partnership; it does not create a separate legal entity. A corporation is a separate legal entity with limited liability protection. If you want limited liability, you should incorporate instead.
Can I use any name for my Business Name Registration?
Your business name cannot be the same as or too similar to an existing business name in Ontario, and it cannot be misleading or contain restricted words. Words like 'Corporation', 'Inc.', 'Ltd.' are reserved for incorporated companies and cannot be used in a sole prop or partnership business name.
Do I need a Business Name Registration if I already have a corporation?
If your corporation operates under its exact corporate name, no BNR is needed. If your corporation operates under a different trade name or 'doing business as' name, you need to register that name as a business name in Ontario.
How long does it take to register a business name in Ontario?
Online Business Name Registrations filed through ServiceOntario are processed immediately. CorpStart files your registration the same business day as payment, and you receive your registration details by email.
Do I need a lawyer to register a business name in Ontario?
No. Anyone can file a Business Name Registration directly with ServiceOntario. CorpStart handles the filing on your behalf as a document preparation service. No legal representation is required.
What is the government fee for a Business Name Registration?
The Ontario government fee to register a business name online is $60, valid for 5 years. This fee is collected at checkout and remitted directly to the government, separate from CorpStart's service fee.
Should I register a business name or incorporate?
A Business Name Registration is simpler and lower-cost, but provides no limited liability protection. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity that limits your personal liability for business debts. If personal liability protection matters to you, incorporation is the stronger choice. CorpStart offers both options.
Ready to register?
$99 service fee + $60 government fee. Filed same day.
Start Registration