Search Canadian Corporation & Business Records
Canada does not have one corporation database that covers every federal, provincial and territorial entity. The correct search depends first on where the corporation was created.
Use Corporations Canada for federally incorporated entities. Use Canada’s Business Registries or the appropriate provincial or territorial registrar when the entity was created under provincial or territorial law.
Fast answer: if the company is federally incorporated, search Corporations Canada’s federal database by corporate name, corporation number or Business Number (BN).
If the company was incorporated provincially, start with Canada’s Business Registries. The Government of Canada currently identifies that service as covering federal data plus participating registries in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
If the province or territory you need is not covered there, use the Government of Canada’s provincial and territorial incorporation directory to reach the correct registrar.
- Use Corporate name if you know the legal name or part of it.
- Use Corporation number when you have the federal corporate identifier.
- Use Business number (BN) when you know the corporation’s 9-digit BN.
- Use Province of Registered Office, Corporation Status or Governing Legislation only when you need to narrow a broad search.
- Open the matching record rather than relying only on the results list.
I Want To… Choose the Correct Canadian Registry
Find a federal corporation
Use Corporations Canada when the corporation was created under federal corporate legislation.
Search federal corporationsFind a provincial corporation
Start with Canada’s Business Registries for participating provinces, then use the province’s own registrar if necessary.
Search participating registriesSearch a Business Number
The federal search accepts the 9-digit BN for federally incorporated corporations.
Search by BNCheck directors or control
Federal corporate profiles can show directors and, for applicable CBCA corporations, public information about individuals with significant control.
ISC informationFile a federal annual return
Active federal corporations generally file annually within 60 days after their anniversary date.
Annual return guidanceGet formal status proof
Corporations Canada offers Certificates of Compliance and Certificates of Existence for federal corporations.
Certificate guidanceGet federal filed documents
Uncertified copies of eligible federal corporate documents can be ordered through the online service without a fee.
Order corporate documentsCheck a bank or insurer
Corporations Canada’s normal federal search excludes corporations created under financial legislation. Use the relevant financial regulator instead.
OSFI regulated institutionsCanada Search Helper Start in the Right Database
How to Search a Federal Corporation in Canada
Open Corporations Canada’s federal search
This is the Government of Canada database for corporations created under federal corporate laws administered by Corporations Canada.
Open federal corporation searchChoose your strongest identifier
Use the legal corporate name for discovery. Use a corporation number or BN when you already have an exact identifier.
Search only the legal corporate name
Corporations Canada says operational or trade names that differ from the legal corporate name are not included in this database.
Narrow only when results are broad
Filter by Province of Registered Office, Corporation Status or Governing Legislation when the name produces too many results.
Open the matching corporate record
Confirm the corporation number, BN, legal status, registered office, directors, annual filing information and corporate history shown in the record.
Use the record for the next task
After confirming the corporation, move to annual returns, certificates, copies or other filing services only if your task requires them.
What a Federal Corporation Record Can Tell You
Corporate name
The federal database searches the legal corporate name and can also retrieve corporations that previously used the searched name.
Corporation number
This is the Corporations Canada identifier assigned when the body corporate first comes under federal jurisdiction.
Business Number
The BN is a separate 9-digit identifier used across federal and participating government programs.
Registered office
The record can show the corporation’s legal registered-office address. It should not automatically be treated as a store, branch or customer-service location.
Directors
Federal corporate records can display director information filed with Corporations Canada.
Annual filings
Records can show the anniversary date, filing period and whether recent annual filings were filed, due or overdue.
Legal status
Status indicates the corporation’s legal position under the governing legislation; it does not necessarily prove that the business is commercially operating.
Corporate history
Records may show prior corporate names and certificates connected with incorporation, continuance, amalgamation, amendment, dissolution or revival.
Individuals with significant control
For applicable CBCA business corporations, some filed beneficial-ownership information can be publicly displayed.
Federal vs Provincial Business Search Which Registry Should You Use?
| Your situation | Best official starting point | What to know | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal corporation | Corporations Canada | Search by corporate name, corporation number or BN. | Search federal corporations |
| Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan entity | Canada’s Business Registries | The combined service searches data from these participating registries plus Corporations Canada. | Search participating registries |
| New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut | Provincial / territorial registrar | Use the Government of Canada directory to reach the correct jurisdictional registry. | Open registrar directory |
| Sole proprietorship, partnership or trade name | Provincial / territorial registry | These registrations are normally handled at the provincial or territorial level, subject to local rules. | Registration guidance |
| Bank, insurer or certain trust / loan company | Financial regulator | Corporations Canada’s ordinary federal search excludes corporations created under financial legislation. | Check OSFI |
- Search by business name, business number or registry identifier when available.
- Open the matching result and note which jurisdiction supplied the record.
- If you need an official certificate, filing or legal-status document, continue to that jurisdiction’s own registry rather than treating the combined search as the final filing portal.
Corporation Number vs Business Number (BN)
These identifiers are related to the same business but serve different purposes.
Federal corporation number
Corporations Canada assigns a corporation number when a body corporate first comes under its jurisdiction.
Use it when you want the exact federal corporate record without comparing similar names.
Business Number (BN)
The CRA describes the BN as a unique 9-digit identifier for a business or legal entity.
CRA program accounts add a two-letter program code and four-digit reference number. For example, a corporation income tax account can appear as 123456789 RC 0001, while the BN itself is 123456789.
Government of Canada BN guidance
- Confirm the 9-digit BN.
- Do not confuse it with GST/HST, payroll or corporation-income-tax program accounts that append letters and four digits.
- If searching Corporations Canada by BN, start with the 9-digit identifier.
Federal Corporation Status What the Labels Mean
| Status | Plain-language meaning | Research implication |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The corporation has not been dissolved or otherwise legally terminated. | This is a legal-status label, not proof that the business is actively trading, licensed or financially healthy. |
| Dissolved | The corporation has been legally terminated under its governing legislation. | Review corporate history if you need the dissolution or possible revival context. |
| Inactive – Amalgamated | The corporation merged with another body corporate to form a new corporation. | Look for the resulting corporation rather than treating the old record as the current operating entity. |
| Inactive – Discontinued | The corporation moved under legislation no longer administered by Corporations Canada. | A provincial or other registry may now be the relevant source. |
Directors and Individuals With Significant Control
Since January 22, 2024, business corporations governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act must file information about individuals with significant control, commonly called ISC information.
Public portions of filed ISC information can appear in the federal corporation record. Corporations Canada currently states that public information may include the individual’s legal name, dates connected with the control relationship, a description of significant control and an address for service where provided.
Federal Annual Return Deadline, Cost & What Users Confuse
Deadline
Active federal business corporations generally file the annual return within 60 days after the corporation’s anniversary date.
Online fee
Corporations Canada currently lists the online annual-return fee at $12.
ISC filing
CBCA business corporations must file required ISC information at the same time as the annual return.
Open federal annual-return guidance
- Search the corporation first if you are unsure of its anniversary date or filing status.
- Confirm that you have authorized access to file for the corporation.
- Prepare the date of the last annual meeting and the required corporation-type information.
- Prepare the corporation’s ISC information when the CBCA requirements apply.
- Complete the online annual return within the 60-day filing period.
- Keep the filing confirmation with the corporation’s records.
Certificate of Compliance vs Certificate of Existence
| Document | What it confirms | Current online fee | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Compliance | The federal corporation exists, has filed required annual filings and has paid required fees as of issuance. | $10 | Current compliance-style proof requested for loans, suppliers, contracts or transactions. |
| Certificate of Existence | That the corporation existed on a specified date or during a specified period. | $10 | Historical or date-specific confirmation of corporate existence. |
| Uncertified corporate documents | Copies of eligible documents on the federal corporate file. | Free | Research when formal certification is not required. |
Certificate comparison and request guidance
- Confirm the corporation’s exact legal name.
- Copy its corporation number or BN from the federal record.
- Choose Compliance when current filing/fee compliance must be confirmed.
- Choose Existence when you need confirmation for a specific date or period.
- Provide the contact and delivery information requested by Corporations Canada.
Checking a Business Name Across Canada
A corporation lookup and a name-availability search are not the same task.
Corporations Canada / business registries
Use existing registry data to find corporations and businesses already on record.
This is useful for screening names, but a clear search does not by itself settle trademark rights or every provincial naming rule.
Nuans and trademark/name research
The Government of Canada recommends national name-database research when choosing a business name. Nuans reports compare similar corporate names and trademarks.
Trade-name registration at a provincial or territorial level does not automatically create exclusive federal rights to the name.
Government of Canada business-name guidance
- Review the national corporate-name and trademark search options.
- Check Canada’s Business Registries for existing business records.
- Check relevant provincial trade names if you plan to operate in those jurisdictions.
- Do not rely only on a domain name or social-media username being available.
Federal Corporation Search & Filing Costs
| Federal service | Current listed cost | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Federal corporation search | Public lookup | Search federal corporations by name, corporation number or BN. |
| Annual return | $12 online | Required annual corporate-law filing for applicable active federal corporations. |
| Federal incorporation | $200 online | Creating an eligible federal business or not-for-profit corporation. |
| Certificate of Compliance | $10 online | Current existence plus required annual filings and required fees. |
| Certificate of Existence | $10 online | Existence on a particular date or during a specified period. |
| Uncertified corporate documents | Free online | Researching eligible documents in a federal corporate file. |
| Express processing | $100 additional where available | Eligible filings requiring the express service standard. |
Current Corporations Canada fees & processing times
- Select the service you actually need.
- Confirm the corporation type because availability can differ for business corporations, not-for-profits and cooperatives.
- Check whether the service is available online, by email or by mail.
- Confirm the current fee and processing standard before paying.
Canada Business Search Problems and What to Try Next
Federal search shows nothing
The business may be provincially incorporated. Try Canada’s Business Registries or the provincial registrar.
You only know a trade name
Corporations Canada searches legal corporate names, not unrelated operating or trade names. Search the relevant provincial registry too.
Too many federal results
Use a more distinctive legal-name term, corporation number or BN. Add province, status or governing legislation only when helpful.
A recent filing is missing
Corporations Canada warns that completed transactions may take several hours to appear in the public database.
You know an owner’s name
The federal search cannot search by ISC name. Find the corporation first, then review the ISC section if public data has been filed.
It is a bank or insurer
Federal corporate search excludes corporations created under certain financial legislation. Check the appropriate financial regulator.
Corporations Canada Contact Information
Toll-free in Canada
Use for federal corporation filing and service questions that cannot be resolved through the online resources.
ic.corporationscanada.ic@canada.ca
Include the corporate name and corporation number when asking about a specific federal corporation.
Mailing address
Corporations Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
Canada
- Search the corporation first.
- Save the corporation number or BN.
- Check annual filing status if your question concerns compliance.
- Use the specific annual-return, certificate or document-copy page when that service already has online instructions.
Official Canada Business Entity Resources
Federal Corporation Search
Search corporations administered by Corporations Canada using corporate name, corporation number or BN.
Search Federal CorporationsCanada’s Business Registries
Combined search across Corporations Canada and participating provincial business registries.
Search Business RegistriesProvincial / Territorial Directory
Use this when the business is provincially incorporated and the combined registry does not cover the jurisdiction you need.
Find the Correct RegistrarFederal Annual Return
Deadline, filing requirements and current online annual-return guidance.
Annual Return GuideCertificates
Compare a Certificate of Compliance with a Certificate of Existence before ordering.
Certificate GuidanceCorporate Documents
Search an eligible federal corporation and obtain uncertified copies of available corporate documents.
Get Corporate DocumentsSearch Tips
Useful when a legal name search is too broad, too narrow or returning the wrong federal entities.
Read Search TipsBusiness Number
CRA guidance explaining the 9-digit BN and program-account identifiers such as RC, RT and RP.
Business Number GuideFederal Financial Institutions
Use OSFI resources when the organization is a federally regulated bank, insurer, trust or loan company.
Check OSFICanada Business Entity Search FAQ
1. Is the Canada business entity search free?
Corporations Canada’s federal search is a public lookup, and Canada’s Business Registries also provides a public search across participating registries. Separate fees apply for filings, certificates and some registry services.
2. Where do I search for a federally incorporated Canadian company?
Use Corporations Canada’s Search for a Federal Corporation. You can search by corporate name, corporation number or Business Number (BN).
3. Does Corporations Canada include provincially incorporated companies?
No. Corporations Canada’s federal database does not include corporations created under provincial or territorial corporate laws. Use Canada’s Business Registries or the relevant provincial or territorial registrar instead.
4. Which provincial registries are included in Canada’s Business Registries?
Government of Canada guidance currently identifies Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan as participating provincial registries, along with Corporations Canada data.
5. Can I search a federal corporation by Business Number?
Yes. The federal search accepts a Business Number. The BN itself is a unique 9-digit identifier; CRA program accounts add a two-letter program identifier and four-digit reference number.
6. Does an Active federal corporation status prove the business is operating?
No. Corporations Canada explains that status is the corporation’s current legal status. Active means it has not been dissolved or otherwise legally terminated; it does not necessarily prove that the business is commercially operating.
7. Can I search a federal corporation by an owner’s or beneficial owner’s name?
Not through the ISC-name field. Corporations Canada says users cannot search by the name of an individual with significant control. Find the corporation first, then review any public ISC information in its record.
8. When is a federal corporation’s annual return due and what does it cost?
An active federal business corporation generally files within 60 days after its anniversary date. Corporations Canada currently lists the online annual-return fee at $12, and CBCA corporations must file required ISC information at the same time.
9. What is the difference between a Certificate of Compliance and Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Compliance confirms current existence plus required annual filings and required fees. A Certificate of Existence confirms that the corporation existed on a particular date or during a specified period. The current online fee is $10 for either certificate.
10. Why can I not find a Canadian company in the federal search?
The company may be provincially incorporated, listed only under its legal corporate name rather than a trade name, governed by financial legislation, recently updated, or outside Corporations Canada’s jurisdiction. Try Canada’s Business Registries or the correct provincial, territorial or financial regulator.
Use the Right Registry Before Trusting the Result
The first question in a Canada business entity search is not simply “what is the company name?” It is “which law and jurisdiction created this entity?” Federal and provincial corporations can appear in different databases.
For a federal corporation, save the corporation number and BN after confirming the record. Review status, registered office, directors, annual filings and available ISC information, then use certificates or document-copy services only when your transaction actually requires formal proof.
Editorial verification: Corporations Canada federal search fields, search limitations, legal-status terminology, annual-return requirements, Business Number guidance, ISC disclosure rules, certificate differences, federal fees, processing information and provincial-registry routing were reviewed September 11, 2026 using Government of Canada and OSFI resources. Registry coverage, fees and online interfaces can change. This independent informational website is not the Government of Canada, Corporations Canada, the CRA or a provincial registrar and does not provide legal, tax or regulatory advice.