Federal Corporation
BUSINESS NAME PROTECTION ACROSS CANADA
AUTHORISED MEMBER OF CORPORATIONS CANADA
Done in 3 Simple Steps
1
2
We file with the government.
3
Get final documents by e-mail.
Benefits of the Federal Incorporation
Name Protection Across Canada
A Federally incorporated company benefits from name protection across all provinces in Canada, which helps in building a national brand identity.
Local Flexibility
Easily expand across Canada with federal incorporation, making it simpler to get local government approvals to operate under the same name.
Global Recognition
Federal Corporations are recognized around the world – an important consideration if you plan to expand outside Canada.
Who Can Start a Federal Corporation?
One or more individuals above the age of 18.
25% of directors must be a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident (PR).
What Are the Requirements?
- At least one incorporator, director, shareholder, and officer is required.
- The registered office address must be a physical location within Canada.
- Additionally, registration is required in the province or territory where the business operates.
What is Needed to Incorporate Federally?
1
Name Your Corporation
- Choose if you want a numbered or a named corporation.
- Pick a name for your business that follows the naming rules
- Conduct a NUANS Name Search to make sure the name is available.
2
Set Up Your Registered Address
- You’ll need a physical address in Canada where official documents can be sent.
- This can’t be PO Box – it has to be a real address.
- You are allowed to have a legal land description address too,but must have a P.O. Box .
- If you don’t have a local provincial address, we provide a registered office address.
3
Appoint Directors and Shareholders, ISC.
- Appoint at least one director and a shareholder (they can be the same person).
- A director is a head of the corporation, you can add up to 10 directors.
- Appoint an individual with significant control (ISC)
What Will You Receive?
Certificate & Articles of Incorporation
Minute Book*
ISC Information
INCORPORATE IN CANADA!
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to incorporate a federal corporation in Canada.
A Federal corporation in Canada is a business entity incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). This type of corporation is registered at the national level, allowing it to operate across all provinces and territories without requiring separate incorporation in each jurisdiction.
What Else Can We Offer?
Federal Non-Profit
- Name Protection Across Canada;
- Limited Liability Protection;
- Is dedicated to purposes other than pursuing a profit;
- May not distribute any profits to it’s members, directors or officers;
- 25% of directors must be canadian citizens or permanent residents;
- We can provide 3 Business Days Registration.
- Just fill out our online form and let our experts do all the filing and government registration.
- Our legal team will prepare the Articles and Certificate of Incorporation correctly, and send it by email.
Federal Registered Charity
- Enjoys unique tax privileges, including exemption from income tax;
- Must have exclusively charitable purposes that benefit the public;
- The organization's activities must align with its stated charitable purposes;
- All directors must be Canadian citizens;
- 6 Business Days Registration is Available.
- Our legal team will prepare the Articles and Certificate of Incorporation correctly
- You will receive registration documents in email instantly.
Federal Holding Company
- Is a business entity that holds the controlling stock in other companies, which are called subsidiaries.
- Exists for the sole purpose of controlling other companies.
- Provides asset protection by segregating assets and liabilities between the holding company and its subsidiaries.
- Offers Tax Advantages;
- 25% of directors must be canadian citizens or permanent residents;
- 2 Business Hours Registration is Available.
- Our legal team will prepare the Articles and Certificate of Incorporation correctly, and send it by email.
Extra Provincial Registration
- Is the process by which a corporation incorporated in one Canadian province or territory seeks permission to conduct business activities in another province or territory;
- Registered office address in the province is required;
- Registered agent within additional jurisdiction may be needed;
- 1 Business Day registration is Available.
- Our legal team will review the documents and register your business with government;
- You will receive registration documents in email instantly.
Federal Co-op with share capital
- Is a business model where individuals come together to meet common needs, share ownership, and democratically control the organization;
- Controlled equally by the members;
- Each member’s liability is limited to the amount of their share capital;
- At least part of capital is usually the common property of the co-operatives;
- 7 Business Days Registration is Available.
- Our legal team will prepare the Articles and Certificate of Incorporation correctly, and send it by email.
- You will receive registration documents in email instantly.
Trade Name / Operating Name
- Is an unincorporated business owned by an individual or corporation;
- Allows individuals or companies to operate a business under a name other than their legal name;
- Is handled at the provincial or territorial level;
- Provides flexibility for branding and marketing purposes;
- We can register in two business hours
- Our legal team will review the documents and register your business with government;
- You will receive registration documents in email instantly.
Learn More About Federal Incorporation
What Are the Benefits of Incorporation?
- Limited Liability Protection – One of the main reasons businesses incorporate is to remove personal and business liabilities. If your business is ever in debt or in a lawsuit, your personal property (such as savings or your home) is usually safe.
- Tax Benefits – Corporations often have lower deductions and tax rates compared to partnerships and sole proprietors. For example, business deductions such as business trips, health insurance, and retirement plans may be claimed.
- Increased Credibility – Having “Inc.” or “LLC” in your business’s name makes you appear professional and credible to clients, investors, and lenders. It lets them know that you’re an official, organized business.
- Easier Access to Finance – Want to raise funds? Corporations have access to issuing stocks, making it easier to attract investors. Banks are also more likely to lend to corporations.
- Business Continuity – Unlike sole proprietors, the life of a corporation is beyond the owner’s. This makes it easier to transfer ownership or sell the business in the future.
- More Growth Potential –Incorporation makes it easier to grow, attract business partners, and expand into the new markets. Many big clients and government contracts require working with incorporated businesses.
What is a Federal Corporation?
A federal corporation in Canada is a business entity that is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). This means your business is registered at the national level rather than just in one province or territory. Even if you incorporate federally, you still need to register your business in each province where you have a physical presence or employees.
How to Incorporate a Federal Corporation?
Choose Business Name (or Go with a Numbered Corporation)
Your business’s name needs to be unique and meet Corporations Canada’s business name regulations. You can:
Do a NUANS name search to check if your desired name is available. Opt for a numbered corporation, for example, 12345678 Canada Inc., bypassing the name approval process.- We prepare your Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation can be:
Basic: Used when a corporation is owned by a single owner. It allows to issue unlimited common shares and:
- Does not offer preferred shares,
- Does not specify any class (such as class A or class B)
- Does not specify voting rights of shareholders (such as voting or non-voting).
Standard Articles: Allows to issue class A common voting and class B common non-voting share. Most people choose standard articles.
Custom Articles: Allows you to make a custom share classes of your own (with/without preferred shares).
- Establish a registered office address:
Your corporation must have:
- A registered office address in Canada for official documents.
- PO Box address is not allowed.
- You are allowed to have a legal land description address too but must have a PO Box connected to it.
If you don’t have a local provincial address, we provide a registered address and mail scanning service.
- Appoint the director, shareholder, individual with significant control (ISC)
- At least 25% of directors must be Canadian permanent residents (PR) or citizens.
- The director must be above the 18 years old
- Since January 22, 2024, corporations created under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) are required to file information on their individuals with significant control (ISC) with Corporations Canada. Some of the ISC information will be made available to the public.
- File Your Incorporation Online:
- You can incorporate your business federally through the web portal of Online Business Registry.
- The numbered company can be incorporated in 2 business hours.
- It takes at least 4 business hours to incorporate a named corporation.
- Get Your Business Number (BN) from the CRA:
- Once incorporated, you’ll receive a Business Number (BN) from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a unique identification of your business with the Canada Revenue Agency. It is required to register accounts like GST/HST, Payroll, Import/Export accounts.
- Corporate Tax Account: It is like a SIN number for a corporation.
- Payroll Account: If you have employees, including yourself, you must set up a payroll account.
- HST Registration: Harmonized Sales Tax. If you are selling goods and collecting HST you must have an HST account. Every time a business incurs an expense – be it rent or paying for goods – it pays HST, if you set up the account, you can claim it back.
- Import/Export: If your goods or raw materials cross the Canadian border, you are required to clear customs using the Import/Export account.
- WCB Account: It’s the Workplace Compensation Board registration. If your corporation has employees (except directors and shareholders) you must register for WCB.
- Annual Return: A corporation must file its Annual Return with the Government every year to keep it active. You may add Annual Return to your package to avoid the risk of forgetting it. We will take care of it!
You can find out more information about annual returns Learn More
- Get the Extra-Provincial
While federal incorporation allows business to operate anywhere in Canada, additional registration is required in several provinces (Ontario and Quebec, for example) to operate in them.
- Set Up Corporate Records and Bylaws
After incorporation, it is desirable to:
- Draft corporate bylaws (internal rules for your business).
- Hold an initial board meeting.
- Keep records of directors, meetings, and shareholders.
Add a Minute Book to your order: it consists of bylaws, share structure, minutes & other legal sections. Without it, a corporation is not complete.
Learn more about how to open a federal corporation in Canada.
Federal vs Provincial Incorporation: What’s the Difference?
- Go Federal if you want Canada-wide recognition, stronger name protection, and plan to expand across multiple provinces.
- Go Provincial if you’re keeping operations local and want a simpler, more affordable option. Learn about how to incorporate in Ontario.
Learn more about the difference between a federal and provincial incorporation from our blog.
What is an Extra-Provincial Registration?
Each province has its own business laws, so even if you’re already incorporated federally or in one province, you must register in another province if you want to do business there. When you register a Federal Corporation, you need to register your business in each province where you have a physical presence or employees.
You typically need Extra provincial registration if you:
✅ Open an office, store, or physical location in another province
✅ Hire employees in another province
✅ Require city/municipality permit in other province.
✅ Sign contracts or generate significant revenue in a different province
✅ Advertise and actively sell to customers in another jurisdiction
Failing to register can lead to fines, penalties, and even restrictions on doing business in that province. Plus, it can impact your company’s legal standing.
Learn more about Extra-Provincial Registration.
How Long Does it Take to Incorporate Federally?
- Numbered corporations can be ready in 2 business hours.
- Named corporations can be ready in 4 business hours.
How Much is a Federal Incorporation?
The price of a numbered federal corporation registration starts from 295 CAD + Tax.
The price of a named federal business registration starts from 395 CAD + Tax
- The price can vary depending on the added services and the service queue.
What is required after incorporation?
Incorporating your business is only the first step—there are several vital steps to undertake to ensure compliance and keep your business running smoothly. Here is what is required after incorporation:
- Get a Business Number from CRA Once incorporated, you’ll receive a Business Number (BN) from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a unique identification of your business with the Canada Revenue Agency. It is required to register accounts like GST/HST, Payroll, Import/Export accounts.
- Register Extra-Provincially
Even though you’ve incorporated federally, you still need to register for provincial or territorial taxes if your business operates in specific provinces. This ensures you’re meeting local tax requirements. - Open a Business Bank Account
To keep finances separate (and have legal protection), you’ll have to have a business bank account. Having such an account makes tax time so much easier, too! - File Annual Returns
A corporation must file its Annual Return with the Government every year to keep it active. You may add Annual Return to your package to avoid the risk of forgetting it. We will take care of it! - Register for Permits & Licenses
Your industry or geographic location may have unique business permits and licensing. Make sure to keep them current to avoid incurring shutdowns or fines. Find out which permits and licenses are required for your business.
What is an Annual Return?
An annual return is a document that businesses must file with the government each year. It provides updated information about the company, such as its directors, registered address, and financial status. Filing an annual return helps keep your business in good standing and ensures you’re complying with legal requirements. It’s an important part of maintaining your company’s records and can affect your ability to raise funds or expand.
Who are the Individuals with Significant Control? (ISC)
When incorporated federally in Canada, individuals with significant control (ISCs) are those who hold a substantial amount of shares or voting rights in the company. These individuals must be identified because the government requires transparency about who’s in charge of decision-making. This helps ensure accountability and prevent issues like money laundering or fraud. Having ISCs listed is a legal requirement and helps the company comply with federal regulations.
How to add a trade name under a federal corporation?
To add a trade name to a federal corporation, the corporation must be extra-provincially registered in the province where it will operate, as trade names fall under provincial jurisdiction.
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How to incorporate a Federal Corporation in Canada Incorporation in Canada is an important step:
