Federal vs. Provincial — Which is Right for You?
| Feature | 🇨🇦 Federal Incorporation $499 | 🏛️ Provincial Incorporation $199 |
|---|---|---|
| Name Protection | Nationwide (all provinces) | Province only |
| Operate Across Canada | ✅ Yes — automatically | ⚠️ Extra registration required |
| Government Body | Corporations Canada (federal) | Provincial registry |
| Best For | National or growing businesses | Local, single-province businesses |
| Government Fee | ~$200 | Varies by province ($50–$360) |
| Processing Time | 24 hours | 2–5 business days |
| Prestige | Higher — recognized nationally | Standard |
+ government filing fees · 30-day money-back guarantee
Federal Incorporation
Everything you need to incorporate federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act.
- Federal name search (NUANS report)
- Articles of Incorporation (Form 1)
- Filing with Corporations Canada
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Corporate minute book template
- Registered agent service (1 year)
- Digital copies of all documents
- Email support throughout the process
- 24-hour processing
- All documents included
- Registered agent (1 year)
- Email support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
100% satisfaction guarantee · Secure checkout
The Advantages of Incorporation
Limited Liability
Separate your personal assets from your business. Your personal finances are protected.
Professional Credibility
"Inc." or "Corp." after your name signals permanence and professionalism to clients and investors.
Tax Advantages
Corporations qualify for the small business deduction — potentially reducing your tax rate to 9%.
Perpetual Existence
Your corporation continues to exist even if ownership changes, making it easier to sell or transfer.
Easier to Raise Capital
Issue shares to investors and employees. Incorporated businesses are preferred by banks and investors.
Income Splitting
Pay family members reasonable salaries and dividends to reduce your overall household tax burden.
What to Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
A federal corporation is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) and can operate under its corporate name in all provinces — name protection is national. A provincial corporation is incorporated under a province's legislation and name protection is limited to that province only. Federal is recommended for businesses that operate or plan to operate across multiple provinces.
We offer provincial incorporation for Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Select your province during the application and we'll handle the filing with that province's registry.
Yes. Your corporation must have a registered office address in Canada. This is where official government correspondence is sent. We provide registered agent service for the first year, which satisfies this requirement.
Yes for federal incorporation, but at least 25% of your directors must be Canadian residents (or at least one director if you have fewer than four). Provincial requirements vary. We can advise on structuring your board to meet these requirements.
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report searches existing corporate names and trademarks to ensure your proposed name is available. It's required for federal incorporation and is included in our service.
Ready to Incorporate?
Start your federal incorporation today and receive your Certificate within 24 hours.
+ government filing fees · 30-day money-back guarantee