Ontario Business Registry: a step-by-step guide

What the Ontario Business Registry is

The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is the province's online system for registering, filing and updating most Ontario business and not-for-profit entities. It replaced the older ONBIS system and is operated by ServiceOntario. Most sole proprietorships, partnerships and Ontario corporations must interact with the OBR at some point.

Before you start

• Decide on a structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, or Ontario corporation.
• Choose a legal name — or plan to operate under your own personal name.
• Have your Ontario address, business activity description, and email ready.
• For corporations: director names, addresses and consent details.

Step 1 — Search the registry

Use the free OBR search to check whether a business name is already in use and to look up an existing entity's status. A name search does not reserve the name; it only confirms availability at the time of the search.

Step 2 — Register your business

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships register a business name for a five-year term. Ontario corporations file Articles of Incorporation through the OBR. Fees and required documents are listed on the official Ontario.ca page.

Step 3 — Maintain your filings

Corporations file an annual return each year. Business-name registrations must be renewed every five years. Update addresses, directors and officers in the OBR whenever they change — late updates can lead to cancellation.

Official source

Always confirm current fees, forms and requirements on the official Ontario government page before filing.