Ontario Business Registry

Definition

The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is an online portal operated by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery that lets individuals, corporations, and service providers file and access business and not-for-profit corporation records in Ontario. Launched on October 19, 2021, the OBR consolidates filings that were previously processed through ServiceOntario offices and intermediary service providers. It supports the OBCA, the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act 2010 (ONCA), the Business Names Act, the Extra-Provincial Corporations Act, and related statutes.

Key rules

• An Ontario corporation has an Ontario Corporation Number (OCN). A Business Identification Number (BIN) identifies a registered business name, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership or a corporation's registered trade name. The separate nine-digit company key provides filing access; it is not a public business identifier. OBR access instructions.
• Transactions available include: incorporating an OBCA corporation, registering a business name (sole proprietorship, partnership, trade name), filing an Ontario Annual Return, filing a Notice of Change, amending articles, continuing a corporation into or out of Ontario, and obtaining a certified copy of corporate filings.
• The government business-corporation incorporation fee is $300 online or by mail. Name-search and service-provider charges are additional, not a fixed $360 government paper fee. A named corporation needs an Ontario-biased Nuans report; a numbered corporation does not. Ontario fees.
• Many standard online filings are processed immediately; the official service standard depends on the transaction and any required review. Save the issued certificate and filed documents.
• Some transactions still require ministry review and are not instant: for example, continuations from another jurisdiction, revivals of cancelled corporations, and complex amendments.

Example

A Toronto resident incorporates a new OBCA corporation on January 10, 2026. Steps: (1) obtain a NUANS name search report for the proposed name, (2) create or sign in with an Ontario.ca Login and access the Ontario Business Account/OBR, (3) submit the articles of incorporation online with initial director information and share structure, (4) pay the $300 fee, and (5) receive the electronic certificate within minutes. Save the OCN and company key. Ontario incorporation normally creates the federal BN and corporate income tax account automatically; confirm those before adding GST/HST or payroll accounts through CRA. Do not create a duplicate BN. CRA incorporation accounts.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the BIN with the CRA's Business Number (BN). The BIN is an Ontario business-name identifier, the company key enables filing access, and the BN is federal and used for tax accounts.
• Assuming OBR filing alone is sufficient for a business name. A registered business name under the Business Names Act expires after five years and must be renewed before expiry.
• Not updating the OBR after director changes. A Notice of Change is required within 15 days of any change to directors, officers, or registered office; failure exposes the directors to liability for stale registry information.
• Expecting the OBR to file the T2. The OBR handles corporate registry filings only; corporate income tax is filed with CRA on the T2 return.

Related concepts

• Ontario Annual Return
• Federal vs. Provincial Incorporation
• Share Classes
• Shareholders' Agreement