Business name check checklist

Before you pay to register a name, check that nobody else already has it. Each list starts with the searches you can run yourself, then the step your registry insists on, then optional extras. Tick items off as you go; your ticks stay on this device only. For why each step matters, read how to check if a business name is available.

Federal: Corporation

How the registry checks names: The name search is part of the filingSource

  1. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  3. Online Filing Centre. Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs an ISED account with identity verificationSource

    Fee: $13.80Source

  4. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Federal registry details

Federal: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: Not neededSource

  1. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

All Federal registry details

Ontario: Corporation

How the registry checks names: An Ontario-biased NUANS report from a private NUANS vendorSource

  1. Ontario Business Registry search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

    The report must be no older than: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Ontario registry details

Ontario: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: Search the registry yourself; the registry does not check the name for youSource

  1. Ontario Business Registry search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

    Another business can register the same name: YesUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Register your business online

All Ontario registry details

British Columbia: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. BC OnLine (corporations, limited partnerships, societies). Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs a BC OnLine account (paid setup)Source

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Name Request. Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs a BC Registries accountSource

    Fee: $30 ($130 priority)Source

    A reservation lasts: 56 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All British Columbia registry details

British Columbia: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. BC Registry business search (sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-ops, benefit companies). Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs a BC Registries account (BC Services Card or BCeID)Source

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

    Another business can register the same name: YesSource

  4. Name Request. Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs a BC Registries accountSource

    Fee: $30 ($130 priority)Source

    A reservation lasts: 56 daysSource

All British Columbia registry details

Alberta: Corporation

How the registry checks names: An Alberta-biased NUANS report from a private NUANS vendorSource

  1. A registry agent near you. Cost: PaidSource. Login: In person through a licensed registry agentSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

    The report must be no older than: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Alberta registry details

Alberta: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: Search the registry yourself; the registry does not check the name for youSource

  1. A registry agent near you. Cost: PaidSource. Login: In person through a licensed registry agentSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

    Another business can register the same name: YesSource

All Alberta registry details

Nova Scotia: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. RJSC Connect search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. RJSC Connect filings. Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs an RJSC Connect accountSource

    Fee: $60.52 (incl. tax)Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. NUANS name and trademark reports. Cost: PaidUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: NUANS corporate name and trademark reports. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: NUANS corporate name and trademark reports

    Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

  6. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Nova Scotia registry details

Nova Scotia: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. RJSC Connect search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. RJSC Connect filings. Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs an RJSC Connect accountSource

    Fee: $60.52 (incl. tax)Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. NUANS name and trademark reports. Cost: PaidUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: NUANS corporate name and trademark reports. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: NUANS corporate name and trademark reports

    Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

All Nova Scotia registry details

Quebec: Corporation

How the registry checks names: Search the registry yourself; the registry does not check the name for youSource

  1. Enterprise register search (REQ). Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Quebec registry details

Quebec: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: The registry checks the name when you fileSource

  1. Enterprise register search (REQ). Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Search first: Search the register yourself before you fileSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

All Quebec registry details

Manitoba: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Companies Online. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: Needs a Companies Online accountSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Companies Online. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: Needs a Companies Online accountSource

    Fee: $45Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Manitoba registry details

Manitoba: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Companies Online. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: Needs a Companies Online accountSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Companies Online. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: Needs a Companies Online accountSource

    Fee: $45Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

All Manitoba registry details

Saskatchewan: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Corporate Registry application. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business. Login: Needs a Corporate Registry accountUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Corporate Registry application. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business. Login: Needs a Corporate Registry accountUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business

    Fee: $50Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Saskatchewan registry details

Saskatchewan: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Corporate Registry application. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business. Login: Needs a Corporate Registry accountUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Corporate Registry application. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business. Login: Needs a Corporate Registry accountUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search and find information on an existing business

    Fee: $50Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

All Saskatchewan registry details

New Brunswick: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A New Brunswick NUANS report from a private NUANS vendorSource

  1. Service New Brunswick Corporate Registry search. Cost: PaidSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

    The report must be no older than: 90 daysSource

All New Brunswick registry details

New Brunswick: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A New Brunswick NUANS report from a private NUANS vendorSource

  1. Service New Brunswick Corporate Registry search. Cost: PaidSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Fee: Set by the NUANS vendorSource

    The report must be no older than: 90 daysSource

All New Brunswick registry details

Prince Edward Island: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. PEI Business / Corporate Registry search. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Online Corporate and Business Registry (OCBR). Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs an OCBR accountSource

    Fee: $40Source

    A reservation lasts: Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: Guide to corporate and business name rules

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Prince Edward Island registry details

Prince Edward Island: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. PEI Business / Corporate Registry search. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Online Corporate and Business Registry (OCBR). Cost: PaidSource. Login: Needs an OCBR accountSource

    Fee: $40Source

    A reservation lasts: Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: New sole proprietorship

All Prince Edward Island registry details

Newfoundland and Labrador: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. CADO company name and number search. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. CADO company name and number search. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Fee: $10Source

    A reservation lasts: Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: Corporate name approval policy

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Newfoundland and Labrador registry details

Newfoundland and Labrador: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: Not neededSource

  1. CADO company name and number search. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

All Newfoundland and Labrador registry details

Yukon: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR). Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR). Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Fee: $40 ($60 on paper)Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Yukon registry details

Yukon: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR). Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR). Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Fee: $40 ($60 on paper)Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

All Yukon registry details

Northwest Territories: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Corporate Registries Online System (CROS) search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Corporate Registries Online System (CROS) search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Fee: $25Source

    A reservation lasts: Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: NWT corporations

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Northwest Territories registry details

Northwest Territories: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Corporate Registries Online System (CROS) search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Corporate Registries Online System (CROS) search. Cost: Free basic search; details cost extraSource. Login: No login neededSource

    Fee: $25Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

All Northwest Territories registry details

Nunavut: Corporation

How the registry checks names: A name reservation with the registrySource

  1. Email the Corporate Registries office. Cost: FreeSource. Login: By emailSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

  4. Email the Corporate Registries office. Cost: FreeSource. Login: By emailSource

    Fee: $25Source

    A reservation lasts: 90 daysSource

  5. Numbered names allowed: YesSource

All Nunavut registry details

Nunavut: Business name (sole proprietorship or partnership)

How the registry checks names: The registry checks the name when you fileSource

  1. Email the Corporate Registries office. Cost: FreeSource. Login: By emailSource

  2. Search for a Federal Corporation. Cost: FreeSource. Login: No login neededSource

  3. Canadian Trademarks Database. Cost: FreeUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases. Login: No login neededUnconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Search intellectual property databases

All Nunavut registry details