Change Corporate Address in Canada: Step-by-Step Guide
Moving your corporation to a new office, changing your registered office, or working from a new business location? Knowing how to change corporate address correctly can save you from missed government notices, outdated public records, and unnecessary headaches.
The process depends on where your corporation was incorporated and which address you are changing. An Ontario corporation, for example, uses the Ontario Business Registry (OBR), while a federal corporation updates its registered office through Corporations Canada. You may also need to update your CRA business address separately.
This guide explains the corporate change of address process in Canada, including how to change corporation address online, what to do in Ontario, what happens when you move between provinces, and which other organizations you should update.
If your corporation's registered or head office address changes, update the appropriate corporate registry promptly. In Ontario, corporations generally have 15 days to report changes through the Ontario Business Registry. CRA address information should also be updated separately when applicable.
What Does It Mean to Change a Corporate Address?
A corporate address is an address associated with your corporation in government or business records.
Depending on the corporation and jurisdiction, you may encounter several different types of addresses, including:
Registered office address
Head office address
Principal place of business
Mailing address
Books and records address
Additional business address
These addresses do not necessarily have to be the same.
For example, a corporation could have its registered office in Ottawa, operate from a second location in Toronto, and have its accounting records maintained at an accountant's office.
This distinction is important because changing one address does not automatically mean every organization holding your business information has been updated.
Why Do You Need to Change a Corporate Address?
Keeping corporate records current is part of maintaining a corporation.
An outdated address can cause practical problems, including:
Government correspondence being sent to the wrong location
Corporate records showing outdated information
Difficulty receiving important notices
Problems with banking or financing paperwork
Inconsistencies between corporate and tax records
Confusion when ordering corporate searches
Delays when government agencies need to contact the corporation
For Ontario corporations, the Ontario Business Registry states that entity information must be kept accurate and that changes must generally be reported within 15 days.
How to Change Corporate Address
The exact process depends on where the corporation was incorporated.
The basic process is:
Identify the corporation's jurisdiction.
Determine which address is changing.
Confirm the effective date of the move.
Update the CRA separately if required.
Update banks, insurers, licences, municipalities, suppliers and other organizations.
Keep confirmation of the change with the corporation's records.
The important point is that changing your corporate address is usually not one single update.
Change Corporation Address in Ontario
If your corporation was incorporated in Ontario, the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is the key place to update corporate information.
In Ontario, corporations can use the OBR to file an Initial Return, Notice of Change, Annual Return or Articles of Amendment, depending on the type of change.
How to Change Corporation Address Online in Ontario
For an existing Ontario corporation, the process generally involves:
Step 1: Access your Ontario Business Registry account
You need access to the corporation's OBR profile. To do this, you'll need to set up an account on the OBR.
Ontario's current online system requires an Ontario.ca Login, Ontario Business Account and Company Key to manage an existing registered entity online.
Step 2: Locate the corporation
Once you access the corporation's OBR profile, review the information currently on file.
Check the existing address carefully before submitting the change.
Step 3: Select the appropriate filing
For an address change, the appropriate corporate filing is generally a Notice of Change.
A Notice of Change can be used to update the corporate address, directors and officers and other details for the corporation.
Step 4: Enter the new address
Provide the new corporate address and the effective date of the change.
Make sure the address is entered accurately, including:
Unit or suite number
Street number
Street name
City
Province
Postal code
Step 5: Submit the filing
Ontario currently lists no government fee for the online Initial Return/Notice of Change for an Ontario corporation, when filed online through the Ministry.
If you are using a filing service to complete these changes, a service fee would apply.
Step 6: Save your confirmation
Keep the filing confirmation and updated corporate information with your company's records.
How Long Do You Have to Change a Corporate Address in Ontario?
Ontario corporations generally have 15 days after the change takes place to file a Notice of Change.
The Ontario Corporations Information Act requires corporations to file a notice of change for changes in information covered by the Act within 15 days.
An Ontario corporation generally has 15 days after a corporate information change occurs to file the required Notice of Change with the Ontario Business Registry.
How Much Does It Cost to Change a Corporate Address in Ontario?
The Ontario government currently lists the online Initial Return/Notice of Change for an Ontario corporation with no government fee. The listed online service time is immediate.
If you hire a third party to complete the filing for you, you may pay a professional or service-provider fee in addition to any government
Can You Change a Corporation Address Online?
Yes, in many cases. The available online process depends on the corporation's jurisdiction.
For Ontario corporations, address and other corporate information can be updated through the Ontario Business Registry. For federal corporations, Corporations Canada also provides an online process for changing a registered office address within the province or territory specified in the articles.
This is one of the most important distinctions to understand:
Changing your corporate registry address and changing your CRA address are separate tasks.
Updating one does not necessarily mean every organization has received the new information.
Change the Address of a Federal Corporation
Federal corporations are administered by Corporations Canada, rather than a provincial corporate registry.
If your corporation is federally incorporated and you are moving its registered office within the same province or territory, Corporations Canada provides an online filing option.
The current government service information states that changing a federal corporation's registered office address within the same province or territory, directly through Corporations Canada is:
Free
Available online
Listed with a 1-day service time
Corporations Canada also notes that the registered office address is corporate information and is publicly available through its corporate search system.
What if a federal corporation moves to another province?
This is different.
If the new registered office is in a different province or territory from the one specified in the corporation's articles, Corporations Canada states that the corporation must change the province or territory of its registered office by amending its articles.
That means a simple address update may not be enough.
Extra-provincial registrations may also need to be cancelled if you're moving out of a province and new registrations completed if you're moving into a new province.
The good news is that Launch A Business can help with all of this, so you don't have to worry about figuring it out alone - just tell us what you need, and we'll handle the rest!
Change Corporate Address With the CRA
Changing the address with your corporate registry is only part of the process.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) maintains separate business information, including:
Physical business address
Mailing address
Books and records address
The CRA specifically recommends notifying it as soon as possible when a business address changes.
How to Change a Business Address Online With CRA
If you have access to CRA's My Business Account:
Sign in to your CRA account.
Select your Business account.
Select Profile.
Select Manage addresses.
Update the applicable address information.
The CRA confirms that business owners can update business address information through the online account.
You can update different types of addresses, including the physical, mailing and books-and-records addresses.
Does Changing Your Corporate Address Automatically Update CRA?
Not necessarily.
Your corporate registry and CRA records serve different purposes.
The CRA explains that some information may be shared between registries and CRA systems, but businesses may still need to provide certain updates directly to CRA.
For that reason, don't assume that filing a Notice of Change with your corporate registry has completed every address update your corporation needs.
A good rule:
Update the corporate registry first, then verify your CRA information.
Corporate Address vs. CRA Business Address
These terms are often confused.
Address | What it relates to |
Registered office | Official corporate address listed in the corporate registry |
Head office | Corporate office or principal location |
Physical business address | Location where business activities take place |
Mailing address | Where business correspondence is sent |
Books and records address | Where business books and records are maintained |
A corporation can have different addresses for different purposes.
The CRA specifically distinguishes between physical, mailing and books-and-records addresses.
What If Your Corporation Is Moving From One City to Another?
A move from Ottawa to Toronto, for example, may simply involve changing the address within the same jurisdiction.
If an Ontario corporation moves:
Ottawa → Toronto
it remains an Ontario corporation.
The corporation's jurisdiction has not changed, so the address can generally be updated through the Ontario Business Registry.
Similarly:
Toronto → Mississauga
is still an Ontario corporate address change.
The more complicated situation is when the corporation's jurisdiction changes. This change could involve filing Articles of Continuance. If you're in this situation, reach out to us for help on making this move.
What If Your Corporation Moves to Another Province?
Moving your business physically to another province does not automatically mean the corporation itself has changed jurisdictions.
For example, a federal corporation moving from Ontario to Alberta remains a federal corporation.
The filing requirements depend on:
Where the corporation was incorporated
Where its registered office is located
What the corporation's articles say
Whether the corporation is registered to operate in another province
Whether extra-provincial registrations need to be updated
For a federal corporation, Corporations Canada specifically distinguishes a registered office move within the same province or territory from a move that requires an amendment to the articles.
If you're unsure about what filings are needed, just reach out to us! We can help make sense of what needs to be filed in your specific situation.
Don't Confuse a Corporate Address Change With a Corporate Name Change
An address change and a corporate name change are two completely different corporate transactions, needing two completely different types of filings.
You are changing where the corporation is located or where official corporate information is maintained.
You are changing the corporation's legal name.
For example:
1234567 Ontario Inc. → ABC Consulting Inc.
is a corporate name change.
Moving:
123 Main Street, Ottawa → 456 King Street, Toronto
is an address change.
A name change may require Articles of Amendment or another prescribed filing, depending on the jurisdiction.
How to Change Corporate Name in Canada
If you are actually trying to change corporate name Canada, don't submit a Notice of Change simply because the business has rebranded.
The process is different.
Depending on the jurisdiction, a corporation may need to:
Choose an available corporate name.
Complete a name search or approval process where required.
Obtain the necessary corporate authorization.
File the appropriate amendment or name-change document.
Update CRA and other organizations.
Update contracts, licences, banking information and marketing materials.
For Ontario corporations, the OBR distinguishes Articles of Amendment from a Notice of Change.
What Else Should You Update After Moving Your Corporation?
Changing the government registry is important, but it should not be the end of your checklist.
After completing the corporate change of address, review:
Government and tax accounts
Ontario Business Registry
Corporations Canada, if federally incorporated
CRA
GST/HST account
Payroll account
Corporate income tax information
Municipal business licences
Provincial licences and registrations
Financial institutions
Business bank
Credit card provider
Lenders
Payment processors
Investment accounts
Insurance
Commercial general liability
Property insurance
Professional liability
Vehicle insurance
Business interruption insurance
Business operations
Website
Email signatures
Invoices
Quotes
Contracts
Letterhead
Customer records
Supplier records
Google Business Profile
Social media profiles
Professional relationships
Accountant
Lawyer
Bookkeeper
Payroll provider
Insurance broker
Corporate Address Change Checklist
What Happens If You Don't Update Your Corporate Address?
An outdated address can create more than an administrative inconvenience.
Government organizations and other parties may continue using the address on their records.
That can result in:
Important correspondence going to an old location
Inconsistent corporate information
Delays in receiving documents
Difficulty proving current business information
Problems during corporate transactions or due diligence
Additional work when correcting multiple records later
Ontario specifically requires corporations to keep information current and generally report changes within 15 days.
Is a Residential Address Allowed as a Corporate Address?
In some circumstances, a residential address may be used as a corporate address.
However, there is an important privacy consideration.
For federal corporations, Corporations Canada states that the registered office address is corporate information that is public and appears through its corporate search system.
Before using your home address, consider:
Whether the address becomes publicly searchable
Whether customers will see it
Whether your corporation has a separate office
Whether your jurisdiction has specific address requirements
Whether a professional or commercial address is appropriate for your circumstances
Don't assume that a registered office address is private simply because it is being used for administrative purposes.
What Information Do You Need to Change a Corporate Address?
The exact requirements vary by jurisdiction, but you should have the following information available:
Corporation's legal name
Corporation number
Existing address
New address
Effective date of the change
Corporate registry login information
Company Key or other authentication information, where applicable
Authorization to file the change
For Ontario, the OBR identifies the Company Key as a unique 9-digit code associated with the business and says it is used to complete certain transactions.
Company Key vs. Business Number
These are not the same thing.
Company Key: Used to access or authorize certain Ontario Business Registry transactions.
Business Number (BN): A 9-digit identifier issued by the CRA and used for federal tax and program accounts.
Don't substitute one for the other.
Example: Changing the Address of an Ontario Corporation
Imagine that Maple Digital Inc., an Ontario corporation, moves from:
100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario
to:
250 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario
The corporation hasn't changed its legal name or jurisdiction.
A sensible checklist would be:
Confirm the move date.
Access the corporation's OBR profile.
File the applicable Notice of Change.
Enter the new address.
Submit the filing.
Save the confirmation.
Update the corporation's CRA address.
Update the bank, insurance provider, accountant and other important records.
Update public-facing business information.
The address change itself does not turn into a name change or incorporation amendment simply because the company has moved.
What About a Change of Head Office vs. Registered Office?
This is an important distinction.
Your corporation may have a registered office and a head office, and they may not always be the same location.
Before filing anything, identify exactly which address has changed.
For Ontario corporations, the corporate information filing requirements are tied to information maintained under the applicable corporate legislation.
For federal corporations, Corporations Canada separately discusses the registered office and additional addresses.
If you're unsure which address needs to change, review your current corporate records before submitting a filing.
Can Someone Else Change the Corporate Address for Me?
Yes, depending on the jurisdiction and filing process, a corporation can use an intermediary or authorized representative.
Ontario corporations can hire an intermediary to complete transactions through the OBR on their behalf.
This can be useful if you:
Don't have time to manage the filing
Are unsure which filing applies
Have multiple corporate changes
Want someone to review the information before submission
Need help coordinating several updates
Common Corporate Address Change Mistakes
1. Updating CRA but not the corporate registry
The CRA and corporate registry are separate records.
Updating one does not mean the other has been updated.
2. Updating the registry but forgetting CRA
The opposite problem is just as common.
After filing the corporate change, verify your CRA business profile.
3. Using the wrong filing
An address change is not the same as:
A name change
A director change
A share structure change
Use the filing that corresponds to the actual corporate change.
4. Forgetting the effective date
Keep the effective date consistent across your records.
5. Forgetting extra-provincial registrations
If your corporation is registered to carry on business in another province, review those registrations too.
6. Assuming every address is the same
Registered office, physical business address, mailing address and books-and-records address can serve different purposes.
7. Using a home address without considering privacy
Corporate registry information may be publicly searchable.
Corporate Address Change: Ontario vs. Federal Corporation
Feature | Ontario Corporation | Federal Corporation |
Main registry | ||
Online address change | Yes | Yes |
Government filing fee | No government fee | No government fee |
Typical timing | Updated instantly | Updated within 1 day |
CRA update | Filed separately | Filed separately |
Company Key | ||
Moving registered office across jurisdictions | May require Articles of Continuance | May require Articles of Amendment |
What If You Are Making Several Corporate Changes at Once?
Sometimes moving is only one part of a larger corporate update.
For example, a company might simultaneously:
Move its office
Change directors
Change an officer's address
Change its corporate name
Update its share structure
Some changes can be done on the same filing, but some require separate filings.
In Ontario, the OBR specifically separates Notices of Change from Articles of Amendment.
If several corporate changes are happening at once, identify each change before filing anything.
When Should You Get Help With a Corporate Address Change?
A straightforward address update may be relatively simple.
Consider getting assistance when:
Your corporation is moving between provinces
Your registered office is changing jurisdictions
Your corporation is federally incorporated
You have multiple corporate changes
You cannot access your OBR account
You don't have your Company Key
Your corporate records are already outdated
Your corporation is registered extra-provincially
The address is connected to a corporate reorganization or transaction
A filing service can also help if you simply want someone to handle the administrative process.
The Bottom Line
A corporate change of address is more than changing the address on your website or telling your accountant.
The right process depends on your corporation's jurisdiction and the type of address being changed.
For an Ontario corporation, the Ontario Business Registry is the key corporate filing system, and corporations generally have 15 days to report changes. For a federal corporation, Corporations Canada provides its own process. You should also review your CRA business information separately.
If you're making other corporate changes at the same time — such as changing directors, officers, your corporate name or share structure — make sure you identify the correct filing for each change.
Need help with an Ontario corporate change? Launch A Business can assist with Ontario corporate changes, including Notices of Change, so you can get the filing completed correctly the first time.
