Corporate Name Search Canada
Search and secure your corporate name in Canada before someone else does. Incorp Master Canada provides fast, accurate, and government-compliant corporate name search and NUANS report services across all Canadian jurisdictions. Whether you are incorporating federally, provincially, or registering a business name, we make sure your proposed name is available, distinctive, and ready for approval – 100% online, from anywhere in Canada.
Quick Name Check Before You Order a NUANS® Report
Fast Results · Name Screening · No Government Filing Required
Trusted by 500+ Entrepreneurs
Just 4 Steps to Get Your Corporate Name Search Report
Fast, Simple & Hassle – Free Process
01
Submit Your Proposed Name
Provide your proposed business or corporation name along with the jurisdiction where you intend to incorporate or register.
02
We Run Your Name Search
Incorp Master Canada runs a comprehensive corporate name search against existing business names, corporations, and trademarks in the relevant federal and provincial databases.
03
Receive Your Search Report
Receive your official NUANS Report or provincial name search report by email, showing all similar or conflicting names already registered in Canada.
04
Proceed with Confidence
Use your name search report to proceed with your incorporation or registration, knowing your proposed name is available and compliant with government naming requirements.
Corporate Name Search by Jurisdiction NUANS Report and Provincial Search
Name search requirements vary by province. Select your jurisdiction to understand exactly what is required for your incorporation or registration.
Ontario Corporate Name Search
Ontario corporate name search requires an official Ontario-biased NUANS Report for incorporation under the Ontario Business Corporations Act or the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. An Ontario-biased NUANS Report prioritizes existing Ontario registrations while also searching federal and other provincial databases for conflicts. The NUANS Report is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and must be submitted along with your incorporation application. Ontario accepts standard NUANS searches, and a name pre-search is strongly recommended before ordering the full NUANS Report to eliminate proposed names with exact conflicts before incurring the full report cost. Numbered corporations in Ontario do not require a NUANS Report as their identity is a unique assigned number.
Alberta Corporate Name Search
Alberta corporate name search requires an official Alberta-biased NUANS Report for incorporation under the Alberta Business Corporations Act. An Alberta-biased NUANS Report prioritizes existing Alberta registrations while also searching federal and other provincial databases. Alberta government accepts standard NUANS searches, and a name pre-search followed by a full NUANS search is advisable since the Alberta Corporate Registry requires name approval by a government examiner who applies specific naming guidelines. The NUANS Report is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Performing a name pre-search before ordering the full NUANS Report can save time and cost by eliminating proposed names with exact conflicts before the formal report is ordered.
BC Corporate Name Search
British Columbia corporate name search does not require a NUANS Report. Instead, BC uses its own name reservation system administered through BC Registry Services. A proposed corporate name in British Columbia must be submitted for approval by a government examiner through the BC Registry, and the process takes several business days. A name pre-search is recommended before submitting for BC name approval to identify potential conflicts with existing BC registered entities. Once approved, the name reservation holds your proposed name for a set period while you complete your incorporation. Incorp Master Canada handles BC name searches and name approval submissions on your behalf.
Federal Corporate Name Search
Federal corporate name search requires a NUANS Report for most federal filings under the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and the Canada Cooperatives Act. The federal NUANS Report costs $13.80 as of 2024 when ordered directly from the government. For federal incorporations and corporate name pre-approvals, the name search is integrated directly into the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre application process and does not need to be ordered separately before filing. A separate NUANS Report is required for federal revivals, amalgamations, and continuances. Federal name approval is subject to review by a Corporations Canada examiner who applies strict naming guidelines. If a proposed name is rejected, a Federal Name Appeal can be submitted to Corporations Canada for reconsideration.
New Brunswick Corporate Name Search
New Brunswick corporate name search requires an Atlantic-biased NUANS Report for incorporation under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act. An Atlantic-biased NUANS Report searches the Atlantic provinces database with priority given to New Brunswick registrations, while also covering federal and other provincial databases. New Brunswick government accepts standard NUANS searches and may require a separate cover page to accompany the NUANS Report on submission – this can be requested at no extra charge. The NUANS Report is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. A name pre-search is recommended before ordering the full Atlantic NUANS Report to eliminate exact conflicts before committing to the full report cost.
Quebec Corporate Name Search
Quebec corporate name search does not require a NUANS Report. Instead, Quebec uses its own name research process administered by the Registraire des entreprises du Québec (REQ). A name research report or name reservation can be requested directly through the REQ for a fee, and the Registraire des entreprises search tool is available online at registreentreprises.gouv.qc.ca. Quebec has its own naming rules under the Charter of the French Language, which requires that corporation names meet French language requirements. A proposed name in Quebec must be distinct, not misleading, and comply with the REQ’s naming guidelines. Incorp Master Canada handles Quebec name searches and name reservation submissions through the REQ on your behalf.
Why Do You Need a Pre-Search Report ?
Check Availability Before You Commit
A Pre-Search Report gives you a quick overview of whether your desired business name is likely to be approved.
Avoid Wasting Time and Money
Before paying for a full NUANS® report, a pre-search helps you avoid names that are clearly in use or too similar to existing businesses.
Helpful for Brainstorming & Shortlisting Names
If you’re considering multiple business names, this report helps narrow down which ones are most viable for registration.
Your Corporate Name is the Foundation of
Your Business
Protect Your Brand Before You Build It
A corporate name search is one of the most important steps before incorporating or registering your business in Canada. Choosing a name that conflicts with an existing corporation, business name, or registered trademark can result in your incorporation being rejected, costly rebranding, and potential legal disputes. A professional corporate name search through Incorp Master Canada ensures your proposed name is available, distinctive, and compliant with federal and provincial naming guidelines before you commit to it.
Incorp Master Canada provides fast and accurate corporate name search, NUANS report, name pre-search, name approval, and federal name appeal services across all Canadian jurisdictions – 100% online.
Why Order a Corporate Name Search Through Incorp Master Canada?
- Official NUANS Reports valid for 90 days - accepted by federal and provincial registries
- Name pre-search service eliminates exact conflicts before you pay for the full report
- Province-specific biased reports for Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Federal jurisdictions
- BC and Quebec name search and approval services handled on your behalf
- Federal name approval and Federal Name Appeal services available
- Fast turnaround - Rush NUANS Report delivered in as little as 30 minutes
Order your corporate name search with Incorp Master Canada. The process is fast, simple, and stress-free – 100% online, from anywhere in Canada.
Order your corporate name search today and secure your business name with confidence.
Why Choose Incorp Master Canada for Your Corporate Name Search?
Canada’s Most Trusted Corporate Name Search and NUANS Report Service!
Order your corporate name search with confidence through Incorp Master Canada’s fast, accurate, and fully compliant name search services. Every NUANS Report and provincial name search is processed through official government-authorized channels and delivered directly to your email. Incorp Master Canada is an authorized intermediary for federal and provincial name search filings across Canada.
Incorp Master Canada provides fast, secure, and compliant corporate name search, NUANS report, and name approval services for businesses and corporations across Canada.
Fast & Accurate Corporate Name Search Services for Canadian Businesses!
Incorp Master Canada makes corporate name searches quick, affordable, and stress-free for entrepreneurs and corporations across Canada.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find out why IncorpMaster leads the way in our industry. Check out
our FAQs to see why weʼre your top choice for all your needs.
A corporate name search in Canada is the process of searching existing registered business names, corporations, and trademarks to confirm that a proposed business name is available and does not conflict with any existing registered entity before incorporation or registration. In most Canadian jurisdictions, this search is conducted through the NUANS system - Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search - which is a computerized search service that compares proposed corporate names against a comprehensive database of existing federal and provincial registrations and trademarks. A NUANS Report lists all existing names that are similar or identical to the proposed name, allowing the applicant and the government examiner to assess whether the proposed name is sufficiently distinctive to be approved.
A NUANS Report is an official corporate name search report generated by the Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search system, which is a Government of Canada database used to compare proposed business and corporate names against existing registered names and trademarks across Canada. A NUANS Report is mandatory for federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act and for provincial incorporation in Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and certain other provinces including Prince Edward Island. The NUANS Report is valid for 90 days from the date it is generated. If your incorporation or registration is not completed within 90 days of the report date, a new NUANS Report must be ordered before proceeding. The report does not guarantee name approval - it is reviewed by a government examiner who makes the final determination.
A NUANS Report is required for incorporation in the following Canadian jurisdictions: Federal (Canada Business Corporations Act), Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island also requires a NUANS Report for provincial incorporation. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories do not use the NUANS system. BC uses the BC Registry name reservation system with approval by a government examiner. Quebec uses the Registraire des entreprises du Québec name research and reservation process. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have their own provincial name search processes.
A name pre-search is a preliminary name check conducted before ordering a full NUANS Report. It searches the available corporate name databases to identify whether the proposed name has any exact or near-exact conflicts with existing registered names. A name pre-search is not a formal NUANS Report and cannot be submitted to a government registry for incorporation purposes. However, it is a cost-effective way to screen a proposed name before committing to the full NUANS Report cost. If a name pre-search reveals an exact conflict, you can modify your proposed name and run another pre-search before paying for the full report. Incorp Master Canada offers name pre-search as part of its corporate name search service suite.
A biased NUANS Report is a NUANS search that prioritizes existing registrations from a specific province while also searching federal and other provincial databases. An Ontario-biased NUANS Report prioritizes Ontario registrations. An Alberta-biased NUANS Report prioritizes Alberta registrations. An Atlantic-biased NUANS Report prioritizes Atlantic province registrations and is required for New Brunswick incorporations. A federal NUANS Report searches the entire Canadian database without provincial bias. It is important to order the correct type of biased NUANS Report for your specific jurisdiction, as a federal NUANS Report may be rejected by a provincial registry if it does not meet the province's specific bias search criteria. Incorp Master Canada ensures the correct report type is ordered for each jurisdiction.
Federal Name Approval is the process by which Corporations Canada reviews and approves a proposed corporate name for a federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act. For federal incorporations and corporate name pre-approvals, the name search and approval process is integrated directly into the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre and does not need to be ordered separately. Federal name approval is subject to strict naming guidelines applied by a Corporations Canada examiner. A proposed name must be distinctive, not descriptive of the goods or services offered, not misleading, and not confusingly similar to any existing registered name or trademark. If a proposed name is rejected by Corporations Canada, a Federal Name Appeal can be submitted for reconsideration.
A Federal Name Appeal is a formal request submitted to Corporations Canada to reconsider the rejection of a proposed corporate name that was declined during the federal name approval process. If your proposed name is rejected by a Corporations Canada examiner, you have the right to appeal the decision by submitting additional information, legal arguments, or evidence supporting the distinctiveness and eligibility of your proposed name. The appeal process may also involve submitting a revised NUANS Report if the original name is modified as part of the appeal strategy. Incorp Master Canada provides Federal Name Appeal services including review of the rejection reason, appeal strategy consultation, formal appeal submission to Corporations Canada, and revised NUANS submission where required.
A corporate name in Canada must meet several key requirements to be approved by a federal or provincial government examiner. The name must be distinctive - meaning it is not purely descriptive of the goods or services the corporation offers. It must not be misleading or likely to deceive the public. It must not be confusingly similar to any existing registered corporation name, business name, or trademark in Canada. The name must include a legal element such as "Incorporated," "Inc.," "Corporation," "Corp.," "Limited," or "Ltd." for standard business corporations. In Quebec, the name must comply with the Charter of the French Language and include a French version or a name acceptable in French. Names containing certain restricted words such as "Bank," "Trust," or "Insurance" require additional government approval.
The cost of a corporate name search in Canada varies by type and jurisdiction. A federal NUANS Report costs $13.80 as of 2024 when ordered directly from the Government of Canada through the NUANS website. Provincial NUANS Reports and biased reports carry similar government fees, with additional service fees when ordered through a professional filing service. A name pre-search is typically less expensive than a full NUANS Report and is a cost-effective first step before committing to the full search. BC and Quebec name searches are processed through their respective provincial registries and carry their own fees. Incorp Master Canada offers transparent, upfront pricing for all corporate name search services with no hidden fees across all Canadian jurisdictions.
Yes, in most Canadian jurisdictions you can reserve a proposed corporate name after a successful name search to hold it exclusively while you prepare your incorporation documents. At the federal level, a corporate name pre-approval through Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre reserves the proposed name for a set period. In Ontario, the NUANS Report remains valid for submission purposes for 90 days from the date of the report, during which time you must complete and file your incorporation application. In British Columbia, a formal name reservation can be submitted through BC Registry Services after the name approval process. In Quebec, a name reservation can be requested through the Registraire des entreprises du Québec for a fee. It is important to complete your incorporation before the name reservation or NUANS Report expires, as an expired report cannot be submitted and a new search must be ordered.
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