When should I submit my name search?
Submit your name search request prior to submitting your documents, in case consent or other documentation is required and to ensure your name is available for you to use.

Can I use my business name before it is registered with the Corporate Registry?
We recommend that you do not use a name or start operating under it before you have it searched and registered with our office.

Can I register an acronym?
Names containing only slogans or acronyms (using the first letters in your business name to spell another word) cannot be protected and therefore cannot be registered. There are also several terms that require special consents to use. These are too numerous to list, but any consent will be noted on the results of your name search

How do I search the name I want to use?
You can conduct an online search of your proposed business name yourself, or request the Corporate Registry to conduct the search on your behalf by phone, mail, fax, or in person.

All available names are then reserved for a 90 day period to allow you time to prepare and submit the registration documents, if they do not accompany the name search request. 

Check out our Find Information on Registered Entities for more information. 

Where do I get the "Name Search and Reservation" and "Client Authorization Payment" forms?
All forms can be found under the FORMS tab, but we have provided some quick links below to make it even easier for you to find them!

Name Search and Reservation forms (for each type of incorporation type):
Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Syndicates
Business Corporations
Non-Profit Corporations
Co-operatives
New Generation Co-operatives
Additional Forms and Documentation:
Client Authorization Payment Form
Name Qualification Policy


Where can I get more information about names?
The Name Qualification Policy outlines the restrictions with respect to names for corporations, businesses and non-profit corporations.

What are the search fees?  

Online: There is a $2 fee for every name you search online. The system will search the name you enter and bring up a list of similar names with limited information -- entity number, status, and type. If you need additional information such as the names of the directors or owners, you may create and print an entity profile report for a fee of $3.

Form Submission: Click here for a complete breakdown of costs for the Corporate Registry to conduct a search on your behalf.