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CBCA corporation, valid in all 13 provinces and territories. Filed with Corporations Canada the same business day you order, before 4pm ET. Their service standard is one business day.
Flat service fee
$299
+ $200 Canada gov fee
$499 total
Everything in the list below is included in your flat service fee, no extras.
Six steps from your browser to a filed federal corporation.
Choose your corporation name
Select a numbered corporation (assigned by Corporations Canada, fastest option) or a named corporation. Named corporations are name-searched as part of the federal application itself, at no separate charge; the decision comes back with your incorporation.
Select your province of registered office
Your corporation must have a registered office in Canada. Choose the province where you'll be operating; you can operate in all provinces regardless of which one you choose.
Set up your share structure
Choose from simple (unlimited common shares), standard (voting + non-voting), or custom (up to 4 share classes with full voting, dividend, and liquidation rights).
Add your directors
Add at least one director. Under CBCA s.105(3), at least 25% of a federal board must be resident Canadians, and at least one director where the board has fewer than four. Ontario and BC impose no residency requirement, so federal is the stricter of the three on this point.
Provide your registered office address
The registered address must be in the province you selected. This is where official government correspondence and legal notices will be sent.
Review and pay
Review all information, pay securely. Order before 4pm ET on a business day and we file with Corporations Canada that day. Their service standard is one business day, and your Certificate of Incorporation and documents are emailed as soon as it comes back.
What is federal incorporation in Canada?
Federal incorporation creates a corporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), governed by Corporations Canada (a division of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada). It gives your name protection across Canada, but it is not a licence to trade everywhere: incorporating federally does not replace extra-provincial registration. Wherever your corporation actually carries on business, you register it in that province and pay that province's fee, Ontario included.
What is the difference between federal and provincial incorporation?
A federal corporation operates nationwide under CBCA and has national name protection. A provincial corporation (like an Ontario OBCA corporation) operates in one province and needs extra-provincial registration to operate elsewhere.
How long does federal incorporation take?
Federal incorporations filed online with Corporations Canada are processed in approximately 1 business day (standard). An express service (4 business hours) is available for an additional fee. CorpStart submits your documents the same business day when you order before 4pm ET, Monday to Friday.
What is a NUANS name search?
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report checks for similar existing corporate names and trademarks across Canada. For federal named corporations, the name search is integrated into the online application at no additional government charge. There is no separate NUANS fee for standard online CBCA incorporations. Numbered corporations require no name search at all.
Do federal directors need to be Canadian residents?
Under the CBCA, at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians. If the board has fewer than 4 directors, at least 1 must be a resident Canadian. Non-residents can be incorporators, shareholders, and officers. The residency rule applies only to the director composition.
Can I use a federal corporation in Ontario?
Yes. A federal corporation can operate in Ontario and all other provinces. You may be required to register the federal corporation as an extra-provincial corporation in Ontario if you have a physical office or employees there, but the incorporation itself gives you the right to operate nationally.
Can a non-resident incorporate a federal corporation?
Yes. Non-residents can incorporate a federal corporation, but the board must include at least 25% resident-Canadian directors (or at least 1 if the board has fewer than 4 members). Non-residents can hold all shares and serve as officers. Only the director composition is affected by the CBCA residency rule.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate federally?
No. Corporations Canada allows self-filing by any individual through its online portal. CorpStart prepares and files your documents as a document preparation service. For complex structures or shareholders agreements, independent legal advice is recommended but not required to incorporate.
What government fee does Canada charge for federal incorporation?
The Corporations Canada fee to file Articles of Incorporation online is $200 (standard). Express processing (4 business hours) is available for an additional $100. These fees are collected at checkout and remitted to the government; they are separate from CorpStart's service fee.
Ready to file?
$299 service fee + government fee. Operate in all provinces.
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