Question 1

When do I Need to File a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

You must file a Notice of Change within 15 days of any change to your corporation’s registered office address, official email address, or directors/officers.

For example:
 • Your business moves to a new location
 • A director changes their home address
 • You add or remove a director or officer
 • You want to update your official email address (ontario only)

If you’re making bigger updates (like changing your corporation’s name or share structure), that’s a different filing altogether — reach out and we can guide you through that too.

Question 2

What is a Notice of Change for an Ontario corporation?

Accepted Answer

A Notice of Change is the filing you submit to update your corporation’s official information with the Ontario government. This includes changes to things like your corporation’s registered office address, official email address, or director/officer details. Keeping this info current is legally required — it’s how the government, banks, and clients know where to reach you.

Question 3

How do I File a Notice of Change in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

You can file your Notice of Change online through a service provider like Launch a Business. We’ll prepare and submit the filing on your behalf through the Ontario Business Registry, so you don’t have to deal with government portals or confusing forms.

Once it’s filed, we’ll send you confirmation that your corporation’s records have been officially updated.

Question 4

What Information Can be Changed Using a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

Here’s what you can update:

• Corporation’s registered office address
 • Official email address (it's where the government will send any documents!)
 • Director and officer names, addresses, or positions

If your change involves your corporation’s name, share structure, or other articles, you’ll need to file Articles of Amendment instead. We can help with that too — just ask!

Question 5

Who Can File a Notice of Change for a Corporation?

Accepted Answer

Any director, officer, or authorized representative of the corporation can file it. If you’re not sure who’s listed or whether you’re authorized, we can help you check your corporation’s current information first.

Question 6

What Happens if I Don’t File a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

Not filing within 15 days can lead to issues — your records will be outdated with the Ontario Business Registry, and that can cause problems with banks, contracts, or government correspondence. It’s always best to update right away to keep your corporation in good standing.

Question 7

How Long Does it Take to Process a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

We want to make sure all of your changes are done right as quickly as possible. That's why we first send a draft for your review, giving you the chance to make sure everything is correct before the changes are filed.

Once submitted online, changes are usually processed immediately. We’ll send you confirmation as soon as the update is officially filed and accepted by the Ontario Business Registry.

Question 8

Is There a Fee to File a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

If you file directly through the government, there’s no government fee. However, using a service like Launch a Business means we handle all the preparation, submission, and confirmation for you — saving you time and ensuring it’s done correctly. Our service fee covers this convenience and support.

Question 9

Can I Change my Corporation’s Name or Share Structure Through a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

No — those changes require Articles of Amendment, which is a different process. The Notice of Change is only for address or director/officer updates. If you need to make bigger structural changes, we can help file the right documents for that too.

Question 10

Is a Federal Notice of Change the same as a provincial one?

Accepted Answer

Nope. Federal and provincial filings are separate.
If your business is federally incorporated, you update Corporations Canada.
If you’re also registered provincially (like in Ontario, BC, or Alberta), you may need to update those records separately too.

Question 11

What is a Corporate Amendment?

Accepted Answer

A corporate amendment is any official change you make to your corporation’s legal information with the government. This can include updating your corporation’s name or changing your share structure.

Question 12

When Do I Need to File a Corporate Amendment?

Accepted Answer

Anytime you make a significant change to your corporation’s legal details, you need to notify the government. Common examples include:

Changing your corporation’s name
Altering your share structure (like creating new classes of shares)
Changing the minimum & maximum number of directors allowed

Question 13

Can I Just Change my Corporation’s Name Without Changing Anything Else?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can file an amendment for a name change on its own. Your new name will need to meet legal requirements, be unique, and not be confusingly similar to other businesses. Once approved, your corporation’s official records will be updated, and you'll get a Certificate of Amendment with the new name.

Question 14

What is a Share Structure Change?

Accepted Answer

Your share structure defines how ownership in your corporation is divided. For example, you might have one class of shares, or multiple classes with different voting or dividend rights. Changing the structure means updating this setup—maybe to add new classes or adjust ownership rules.

Question 15

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make Corporate Amendments?

Accepted Answer

You don’t always need a lawyer, unless you're looking for legal advice about your corporation. Launch a Business can't give you legal advice, but we can help complete your corporate amendment and make the process smoother—especially for complicated changes like share structure updates. At Launch a Business, we guide you through the filings to make sure everything is done correctly.

Question 16

How do I Submit a Corporate Amendment?

Accepted Answer

In Ontario, corporate amendments are filed online through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR). Launch a Business helps file the documents for you, so you can avoid having to navigate the government systems.

Question 17

How Long Does it Take For an Amendment to be Approved?

Accepted Answer

It usually takes a few business days for standard amendments to be processed, but more complex changes—like detailed share restructures—can take a little longer. Once approved, you’ll receive confirmation that your corporation’s records have been updated and a copy of the Articles of Amendment.

Question 18

Will my Old Corporation Name or Structure Still be Visible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your previous records are kept in the history of the corporation for reference, but only your updated information is considered official going forward. Some historical information may remain accessible for public records.

Question 19

Can Launch a Business Help with Corporate Amendments?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We guide entrepreneurs through the amendment process, help you fill out forms, and submit everything correctly to the government. Whether it’s a name change, share structure adjustment, or another change, we make it simple and stress-free.

Question 20

Do All Provinces Require A Company Key, An Authorization Key or Access Code?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Some provinces (and some federal filings) require a digital access code or key to make corporate changes. Others allow updates without one.

Launch A Business will let you know what your province requires and help you obtain the key if needed.

Question 21

Can Launch A Business File Corporate and Business Changes Across Canada?

Accepted Answer

YES! We work directly with each province’s corporate registry or the federal Corporations Canada system. Almost all updates can be filed electronically, meaning:

• Faster processing
 • Fewer errors
 • Quick digital confirmation
 • No need for you to learn multiple registry systems

If you don't see the service on our website - contact us!(https://www.launchabusiness.ca/contact-us) We can probably help!

Question 22

Can You Update Multiple Jurisdictions at Once?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if your business operates in more than one province, we can update each extra-provincial registration so your info stays consistent everywhere.

Question 23

What is a Federal Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

A Federal Notice of Change is how a federally incorporated business updates important company details with Corporations Canada. It keeps your public records accurate and your corporation in good standing.

Question 24

What kinds of changes can be made on a Federal Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need to file a Notice of Change if you update things like:
 • Directors (appointments, resignations, or address changes)
 • Registered office address
 • Registered mailing address

These changes must be reported even if they seem minor.

Question 25

Who is required to file a Federal Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

Any corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) is responsible for filing a Notice of Change when required.

Question 26

How soon do changes need to be filed?

Accepted Answer

Most federal changes must be filed within 15 days of the change taking place. Waiting too long can lead to compliance issues—or extra headaches later.

Question 27

Do I need a lawyer or accountant to file a Notice of Change?

Accepted Answer

Not usually. A Notice of Change is an administrative filing, not a legal restructuring. That said, professional help can be useful if multiple changes are involved or if you’re unsure what needs to be updated.

Question 28

Does filing a Notice of Change change ownership of the business?

Accepted Answer

No. A Notice of Change does not update shareholders or ownership percentages. It only updates administrative information like directors and addresses.

Question 29

What information do I need to file?

Accepted Answer

Typically, you’ll need:
 • Your corporation name or number
 • Details of the change (old and new information)
 • The effective date of the change
 • Company key (to access any corporation's information)

Question 30

Can I update multiple changes at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If several changes happened around the same time, they can usually be filed together—saving time and reducing the chance of missing something.

Question 31

How do I know my Notice of Change was accepted?

Accepted Answer

Once filed, you’ll receive confirmation from Corporations Canada. It’s a good idea to keep this confirmation with your corporate records.

Question 32

What is an extra-provincial registration in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

If your federally incorporated business wants to operate in Ontario, you need an extra-provincial registration. Think of it as “registering to do business in Ontario even though you were incorporated federally.”

Question 33

Why do I need to update Ontario if I make changes federally?

Accepted Answer

Ontario relies on your federal corporate records to keep things accurate. If your directors, addresses, or other key info change federally, your extra-provincial registration must be updated too—otherwise Ontario’s records won’t match.

Question 34

What types of federal changes require updates in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need to update your extra-provincial registration if you change:
 • Directors (Ontario lists 1 director on file as a 'Chief Manager,' so if that person changes, you'll need to update it)
 • Registered office address
 • Corporate name (if you legally changed it federally)

Question 35

Do I need to provide supporting documents from Corporations Canada?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. For certain changes, like a corporate name change, Ontario will require a copy of the federal certificate of amendment as proof of the update.

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