File your Articles of Incorporation
When you incorporate your company the Articles of Incorporation establish the key elements of your new business entity:
- Define ownership and share rights
- Limit your personal liabilityas a shareholder
- Establish governance rulesfor directors and officers
- Enable tax advantagesand potential access to capital
We’ve got the Incorporation package for you
Essential
CorpCentre will prepare all incorporation documents in compliance with and required by law (Articles or Memorandum of Incorporation, Initial Notice of Directors, Initial Notice of Registered Office)
CorpCentre will file all required incorporation forms and documents with the appropriate government department, ministry or registry accompanied by the requisite government incorporation fee.
CorpCentre will also monitor the process and advise you when your corporation has been incorporated.
CorpCentre will deliver to you the Certificate of Incorporation, issued by the federal or provincial government department, ministry or registry confirming the jurisdiction, date of incorporation and constituting statute of you corporation.
Standard
We perform a search on the relevant government database to ensure it complies with legal requirements.
CorpCentre prepares essential corporate documentation including, by-laws, director and shareholder resolutions and minutes, ledgers and share certificates at incorporation.
These documents are a legal requirement in virtue of incorporation laws. Failure to properly maintain corporate governance may result in the loss of limited liability protection afforded to shareholders
Your corporation’s documents viewable 24h online in a secure environment that can be shared with bankers, lawyers, investors or others. eSignature of all your corporate documents. Never lose your minute book again!
First year included ($199/year thereafter billed annually). Opt-out anytime.
CorpCentre will prioritize your order and rush our process to complete within 5 business days. This is prior to government processing times. Click here to view government timelines.
CorpCentren will file your corporation’s corporate filings and updates (not tax filings) so that you can stay compliant.You will only have to pay government fees, if any, at the time you request thefiling or update.
First year included ($199/year thereafter billed annually). Opt-out anytime.
Complete
A Corporate Minute Book holds all your important corporate documents in one convenient registry: Premium law firm quality 3-ring binder with a hard cover with slip case, Personalization of your corporate name on the spine on a brass finished plaque, corporate dividers and ledgers
CorpCentre will prioritize your order and rush our process to complete within 3 business days. This is prior to government processing times. Click here to view government timelines.
Why use CorpCentre to incorporate?
Businesses
helped
Advanced
Technology
Only National provider
Lawyer owned and operated
Leading the industry
What are Articles of Incorporation?
The articles of incorporation are the legal foundation of your company. They are submitted to either the federal government under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) or to a provincial or territorial corporate registry. In these documents, you establish key details about your business: the corporate name, where it will operate, the classes of shares it can issue, and the number of directors who will oversee it.
Think of the articles of incorporation as the “birth certificate” of your business. Once approved, the government issues a Certificate of Incorporation, which confirms that your corporation legally exists in Canada. From that point forward, the corporation becomes a separate legal entity from its owners, with its own rights and obligations.
What goes in Articles of Incorporations?
While every jurisdiction has its own forms, most Canadian articles of incorporation include the following elements:
- Corporate name: You can either request a unique name, supported by a NUANS® name search report, or incorporate under a numbered company (for example, “1234567 Canada Inc.”).
- Registered office address: This is the official address for government notices and legal correspondence.
- Share structure: You must describe the classes of shares your corporation can issue, including their rights, privileges, and restrictions. Many small businesses start with one class of common shares, but more complex structures are possible.
- Number of directors: Articles typically set a minimum and maximum number of directors who can manage the corporation.
- Restrictions on the business: Although optional, some corporations include limits on what types of activities the company can undertake.
- Other provisions: Special clauses can also be added, such as restrictions on share transfers or rules that affect shareholders.
By clearly outlining these components, the articles of incorporation ensure that your corporation is structured in a way that meets legal requirements and reflects your business needs.
Articles of Incorporation 101
Learn about your business formation core legal documents and their impact on your business
Why are articles of incorporation so important?
Incorporating a business in Canada offers several advantages, but those benefits only exist because of the articles of incorporation.
By filing these documents, you formally separate your personal assets from your company’s liabilities. This limited liability protection is one of the main reasons many entrepreneurs choose incorporation over sole proprietorships or partnerships.
The articles also define the ownership and governance of the corporation. For example, they specify what types of shares can be issued, whether shareholders have voting rights, and how profits can be distributed. Without clear provisions in your articles, you could face shareholder disputes or restrictions that make raising investment difficult. In other words, well-prepared articles of incorporation help protect both the business and its owners.
Federal vs Provincial Articles of Incorporations
One of the first decisions Canadian entrepreneurs face is whether to incorporate federally or provincially.
- Federal incorporation, under the CBCA, allows you to operate across Canada with enhanced name protection. If you expect to expand into multiple provinces, a federal incorporation may be the right choice.
-
- Provincial incorporation, by contrast, is usually more straightforward and cost-effective for businesses that will operate mainly in one province. For example, Ontario corporations are governed by the Ontario Business Corporations Act, while Quebec corporations are incorporated under the Loi sur les sociétés par actions.
The choice between federal and provincial incorporation directly affects the articles of incorporation you file. Each jurisdiction has slightly different rules and fees, so it’s important to choose the option that best matches your business goals.
Ready to start your corporation?
Start your articles of incorporation with CorpCentre, Canada’s only national provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Corporation?
How is a corporation formed?
What is the difference between a corporation and a DBA (Doing Business As)/Sole Proprietorship?
Should I Incorporate my Business?
Where Should I Incorporate My Business?
How much does it cost to incorporate a corporation?
How long does it take to incorporate a corporation?
Are there any residency requirements for corporations?
Do I Need a Lawyer to Incorporate?
How to Select a Corporation's Name?
What am I not allowed to include in a corporation name?
What is a "Named" Corporation?
Can I transfer my DBA to a Corporation?
What is a Numbered Corporation?
Should I Incorporate a Named Corporation or a Numbered Corporation?
What Documents do I need to Incorporate?
What is a Registered Agent?
We've Rebranded. Welcome to CorpCentre
Now with a modernized name, look and platform.