Ontario Business Name Checker
Check if your business name is available in Ontario and get a step-by-step guide to registration. Free tool — no account needed.
📋 Ontario Business Registration Guide
💰 Ontario Business Registration Costs
| Type | Registration Fee | Renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | $60 online | Every 5 years | Simplest structure, personally liable |
| General Partnership | $60 online | Every 5 years | Shared liability between partners |
| Corporation (Ontario) | $360 online | Annual return req. | Limited liability, more complex |
| Federal Corporation | $200 online | Annual return req. | Operates in multiple provinces |
| LLP | $210 online | Annual filing req. | For lawyers, accountants, professionals |
Registering a Business Name in Ontario
If you're starting a business in Ontario and plan to use any name other than your own legal name, registration is legally required under the Business Names Act. Operating unregistered can result in fines and prevents you from enforcing contracts, opening a business bank account, or accessing many government business programs.
A registered business name in Ontario is valid for 5 years and must be renewed. Registration gives you a Master Business Licence and a Business Identification Number (BIN), required by banks, suppliers, and government services. It does not prevent another business from incorporating under the same name — full name protection requires provincial or federal incorporation.
Before committing to a name, run a NUANS search to check for conflicts. Choosing a name too similar to an existing registration can result in application rejection or a legal dispute after you've already built your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
$60 for a 5-year online registration through ServiceOntario. Plus $8-$26 for a NUANS name search if needed.
Only required once your annual revenue exceeds $30,000. Below that threshold, registration is optional. You may choose to register voluntarily to claim input tax credits.
No. Names cannot be identical or too similar to existing registrations, cannot imply government affiliation, and cannot suggest regulated professions (like "Law" or "Engineering") without proper licensing.