How to Get an Instant NUANS Report in Ontario
Any business that you wish to incorporate or to register a corporate name in Ontario requires a NUANS report. This very critical document ensures that the proposed business name that one wants to register is unique, distinct, and does not conflict with any existing registered names. In this blog post, we will outline to you how to get an instant NUANS report in Ontario and why it is so relevant to your process of business registration.
Basically, NUANS is an abbreviation that stands for “Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search,” which maintains the distinctiveness of corporate names within Canada. Let’s look deeper into all that you would need to know about obtaining a NUANS Report Ontario fast and swiftly.
What is a NUANS Report?
Before explaining how to obtain a NUANS report, it is essential that we understand what a NUANS report truly entails. A NUANS report is an official document which compares your business’s proposed corporate name with other registered corporate names, trademarks, and domain names in Ontario, or with corporate names that are available nationally across Canada. It ensures that the name you want for your business is not identical or confusingly similar to others already in use.
A NUANS report is crucial in Ontario because this way it will avoid naming conflicts and the following legal issues, customer confusion, and forced name changes. If a business is forced to pick another name that proves to be too close to that of another business, this becomes a big delay and a further cost. Thereby, incurring the NUANS report in advance will save you time and hassle during the registration process.
The Different Types of NUANS Reports
There are different types of NUANS reports, depending on your business needs. These include:
- NUANS Corporate Name Search – This report is specific to corporations and is required for incorporation in Ontario or federally. It compares the proposed corporate name against existing corporations.
- NUANS Business Name Search – This type of report is designed for sole proprietorships, partnerships, or trade names.
How to Get an Instant NUANS Report in Ontario
Now that we understand the need and type of reports, let us now look at how you could get a NUANS search Ontario done fast and instantly.
Step 1: Do a Preliminary NUANS Name Search Ontario
Before taking the actual report, it is prudent to do a preliminary NUANS business name search in order to check on whether your desired business name is available or not. A number of online services allow you to check this in minutes. A fast name search will let you know if the name you’re going for is taken or too close to another business name.
Step 2: Select an Approved NUANS Search Provider
The only method for getting an official NUANS search report Ontario is by using a government-approved NUANS search provider. These are the only providers that can instantly produce your report. You can find them online or go straight to the government’s website for a list.
Things to look for in choosing a NUANS search provider:
- Fast, with instant availability of your report
- Accurate in search results
- Government-authorized provider
- Competitive price
Step 3: Submit Your Corporate Name for a NUANS Search Ontario
With the identification of the service provider, one would submit the corporate or business name to be registered. The submission is run through the system to ascertain if the name under consideration is available. A search is made on the millions of names within the NUANS corporate name search to come up with that report. Within several minutes, a listing of names that are potentially confusing with the name will be produced. This report will show any identical names and any similar-sounding phonetic names. If no matching names are found, then you can go ahead and incorporate or register the business.
Step 4: Obtain Your Instant NUANS Report
After conducting the search, the provider will generate a formal NUANS report Ontario instantly. The report is effective for 90 days; you can take your time filing it as one of the elements in your incorporation or registration.
How Much Does a NUANS Report Cost in Ontario?
The price of a NUANS search Ontario varies on the choice of provider. The charge for this on average ranges between CAD $20 and $40. Some providers may also offer rush or more detailed search services for an extra fee.
It’s important to note that while the cost of obtaining a NUANS report is relatively low, failing to do so properly can result in costly delays or legal disputes if your business name conflicts with an existing entity.
Where Can I Use the NUANS Report?
Your NUANS report Ontario can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Business Incorporation: Whether you’re incorporating federally or provincially in Ontario, the NUANS report is required as part of your submission.
- Business Name Registration: For sole proprietorships or partnerships, a NUANS name search Ontario ensures that the name you want to register is available and legally distinct.
Trademark Applications:
Conducting a NUANS search allows you to avoid conflicts with current trademarks or domain names before you register your new business name.
NUANS Search Ontario Frequently Asked Questions
What if I Already Have a Business Name?
If the business name that you would like is already registered, or in case the similarity index of your proposed name to an existing name is greater than 60%, then you will need to adopt another name. Some online services offer name suggestion tools to help you brainstorm unique business names that are less likely to conflict with others.
Do I Need a NUANS Report for Sole Proprietorships?
Yes, you may need a NUANS business name search if you’re registering a sole proprietorship or partnership in Ontario, especially if you are using a trade name that differs from your legal name.
How Long is the NUANS Report Valid?
Your NUANS search report Ontario is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If you don’t submit your registration or incorporation documents within this time frame, you’ll need to obtain a new report.
Avoiding Common Mistakes with Your NUANS Corporate Name Search
When conducting a NUANS corporate name search, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
- Not Conducting a Preliminary Search: Always perform a preliminary search before paying for a full NUANS report. This helps to avoid unnecessary costs if your business name is already taken.
- Choosing a Similar Name: Even if your business name is not identical to another, it can still be rejected if it’s deemed too similar. Make sure your name is distinctive and unlikely to cause confusion with existing entities.
- Registering Too Late After You Have Received Your Report: Registration is supposed to be made on time once you receive your report by NUANS. The report is only valid for 90 days, and therefore, ensure you submit the documents within that time.
Conclusion: How to Obtain an Instant NUANS Report in Ontario
A NUANS report is a prerequisite to register or incorporate a business in Ontario. Following these steps and guidelines, you can indeed feel comfortable with the fact that your business name is unique and all ready to be registered. It doesn’t matter if you are conducting a NUANS name search Ontario or a full NUANS corporate name search; it is easy and quick if conducted through the right provider.
Getting the right service in NUANS search Ontario will save you time and assure you of the correct results of your search. Remember, the earlier you secure your NUANS search report Ontario, the better—this will let you move on with life confidently, knowing very well that you won’t have any form of legal or business name problems in the future.
For more information on NUANS reports and Name reservation report, check additional resources or speak with a business registration expert to make sure you are doing everything needed in the proper way.
