- Ontario Incorporation Costs at a Glance
- What’s Included in the Base Government Filing Fee
- Optional Costs That Add Up
- Numbered Corporation vs Named Corporation: Cost Difference
- Federal vs Ontario Incorporation: Which Costs More?
- Post-Incorporation Costs to Budget For
- Does the Type of Corporation Change the Cost?
- How to Keep Your Incorporation Costs Down
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate a Business in Ontario?
The cost to incorporate a business in Ontario starts with a flat $300 government fee to file Articles of Incorporation online through the Ontario Business Registry. Choosing a custom business name instead of a numbered corporation adds a NUANS name search, typically $30 to $80. Most entrepreneurs pay $300 to $400 total when filing directly, or more when bundling optional services like a registered office address, minute book, and corporate seal.
Starting a business is exciting, but the paperwork and costs associated with incorporation can feel like a maze. If you have searched “how much does it cost to incorporate a business in Ontario,” you have probably found a dozen different numbers. This guide breaks down exactly what you will pay, what is mandatory versus optional, and how to keep your total cost as low as possible while doing it right the first time.
Ontario Incorporation Costs at a Glance
| Item | Government Fee | Required or Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporation (online filing) | $300 | Required |
| NUANS name search (named corporation) | $30 to $80 | Required only if not going numbered |
| Numbered corporation | $0 extra | Optional, cheaper alternative to a named company |
| Registered office address (if you don’t have an Ontario address) | Varies by provider | Optional |
| Corporate minute book | Varies by provider | Recommended, not legally optional in practice |
| Corporate seal | Varies by provider | Optional |
| CRA business number setup | No government fee to register | Required after incorporation |
| Federal incorporation (Corporations Canada) | $200 | Alternative to provincial, extra-provincial registration is needed if operating in Ontario |
Only the government filing fee and, if you’re choosing a named corporation, the NUANS search are strictly mandatory. Everything else depends on how much of the setup you want handled for you versus doing it yourself.
What’s Included in the Base Government Filing Fee
The $300 fee paid to the Ontario Business Registry covers the review and approval of your Articles of Incorporation and the issuance of your Certificate of Incorporation, the official document proving your corporation legally exists. This fee is the same whether your company has one shareholder or ten, and it does not change based on your industry or share structure.
If you choose a numbered corporation (something like “1234567 Ontario Inc.”), this $300 fee is your only mandatory government cost. The registry assigns your number automatically, so there is no name to search or approve.
If you want a named corporation, the process is nearly identical, but you will need to confirm your chosen name is available before you file. That is where the NUANS search comes in.
Ready to file? You can file your Articles of Incorporation directly through our platform, with the government fee and filing handled in one step.
Optional Costs That Add Up
Beyond the government’s base fee, a few additional items come up for most new corporations:
NUANS Name Search
If you want a custom name rather than a numbered one, you’ll need a NUANS name search to confirm nobody else in Canada is already using it or something confusingly similar. This report typically costs $30 to $80 depending on the provider and how quickly you need results.
Registered Office Address
Every Ontario corporation needs a physical Ontario address on file; a P.O. box does not qualify. If you don’t have a commercial or residential address in the province, this is a service worth budgeting for.
Corporate Minute Book
Not a legal requirement to incorporate, but a real one to maintain compliance afterward. Your minute book holds your articles, bylaws, director resolutions, and share records. Skipping it now often costs more later when a bank or investor asks to see it, and it doesn’t exist.
Corporate Seal
Less commonly required today, but some banks, lawyers, and government forms still ask for one.
Numbered Corporation vs Named Corporation: Cost Difference
The cost gap between the two comes down almost entirely to the NUANS search. A numbered corporation costs exactly $300 in government fees and nothing more. A named corporation adds $30 to $80 for the name search on top of that same $300 filing fee.
Many founders start as a numbered company to save time and money, then register a trade name later once they’re ready to build a public-facing brand. This keeps the legal entity simple while still allowing a recognizable name on signage, invoices, and marketing. This keeps the legal entity simple while still allowing a recognizable name on signage, invoices, and marketing.
Federal vs Ontario Incorporation: Which Costs More?
On paper, federal incorporation through Corporations Canada looks cheaper at $200 versus Ontario’s $300. In practice, if your business operates in Ontario, you’ll also need to register extra-provincially in the province, which adds a further cost on top of the federal fee. For most businesses that operate primarily within Ontario, incorporating provincially works out simpler and often is no more expensive once that extra-provincial step is factored in.
Federal incorporation makes more sense if you plan to operate under the same name across multiple provinces and want nationwide name protection from day one.
Post-Incorporation Costs to Budget For
Filing your Articles of Incorporation is the beginning, not the end, of setting your corporation up properly. Shortly after incorporating, most businesses also need:
CRA Business Number
A CRA business number, which is required to file taxes, hire employees, and register for GST/HST or payroll accounts. There is no government fee to obtain this number, but it does require a separate registration step from your incorporation filing. We can set up your CRA business number alongside your incorporation so you’re not left chasing this step down on your own.
Annual Return Filing
An annual return filing is required each year to keep your corporation in good standing with the province.
Ongoing Accounting Support
Ongoing accounting support, since incorporated businesses file a separate corporate tax return each year regardless of profit.
Does the Type of Corporation Change the Cost?
The base $300 government filing fee applies to a standard Ontario business corporation. Costs can look a little different depending on the type of entity you’re forming.
Professional Corporation
For regulated professions like law, medicine, or accounting, may involve additional regulatory approval steps.
Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC)
Has its own set of real estate council requirements on top of standard incorporation.
Holding Company
Generally follows the same base fee structure as a standard corporation.
Non-Profit Organization
Follows a different incorporation path entirely, with its own fee schedule separate from that of for-profit corporations.
If you’re not sure which entity type fits your situation, it’s worth confirming before you file, since switching structures after incorporation means additional paperwork and fees.
How to Keep Your Incorporation Costs Down
A few practical ways to minimize what you spend without cutting corners on compliance:
Choose a Numbered Corporation
Choose a numbered corporation if you don’t need a specific name right away. You can always add a trade name later for a fraction of what a full name change would cost.
Bundle Your Filing
Bundle your incorporation, CRA setup, and minute book into one filing rather than sourcing each piece separately. It saves both time and, often, money.
Avoid Rush Filing
Avoid rush or expedited filing unless you genuinely need same-day turnaround. Standard processing is usually fast enough and avoids the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $300 enough to incorporate in Ontario?
Yes, if you’re forming a numbered corporation. $300 is the full mandatory government cost. A named corporation adds the NUANS search fee on top.
Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in Ontario?
No. Ontario allows business owners to file Articles of Incorporation directly online without a lawyer. Legal help can be useful for complex share structures or multiple shareholders, but it isn’t required for a standard incorporation.
How much does a NUANS report cost?
Typically $30 to $80, depending on the provider and turnaround time you choose.
Is incorporating online cheaper than filing by mail?
Online filing is generally faster and simpler, and it avoids the extra time and handling that come with mailed submissions.
What is the cheapest way to incorporate in Ontario?
Filing directly as a numbered corporation, without a named entity, no NUANS search, and no add-on services, is the lowest-cost path at $300 total.
Do I have to pay every year to keep my corporation active?
You’ll need to file an annual return to stay in good standing, along with a corporate tax return, regardless of your income that year.
Ready to Incorporate?
Understanding the real cost of incorporating in Ontario is the first step. The next is actually getting it done correctly, without hidden fees or guesswork. At Ontario Corporate Filing Center, we lay out every cost upfront before you file, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why. Whether you’re forming a standard corporation, a professional corporation, or exploring a PREC or holding company structure, we handle the filing so you can focus on running your business.
File Your Articles of Incorporation Today