How much does it cost to incorporate in Canada federally?

Federal incorporation fees typically include a $200 government fee plus a $60 NUANS name search for named corporations.

Is incorporating in Ontario cheaper than federally?

In Ontario, incorporating provincially usually costs around $360 including name search, but in some cases federal plus provincial registration can be comparable or cheaper.

Do I need to register provincially if I incorporate federally?

If you operate your business in a specific province after federal incorporation, you usually must file extra‑provincial registration in that province.

What is a company registration number in Ontario?

It’s a unique identifier assigned by the Ontario Business Registry once your corporation is registered.

Cost to Incorporate in Canada in 2026 (Federal vs Provincial Fees Compared)

Lisa Shaw
7 hours ago
3 min read

Incorporating your business in Canada is one of the most important steps you can take as an entrepreneur. But how much does it really cost to incorporate in Canada? And how do costs compare between federal incorporation and provincial incorporation?

Whether you’re aiming to build a Canada‑wide brand or focus locally in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec or British Columbia, this guide has everything you need — straight answer, cost breakdowns, and real‑world examples to help you make an informed decision.

Federal vs Provincial Incorporation: Quick Overview

Feature	Federal (Canada)	Provincial (Example: Ontario)
Base Government Fee	$200	$300
NUANS/Name Search	$39.99+tax	$39.99+tax
Extra‑Provincial Fees	Varies by province	N/A
Name Protection	Canada‑wide	Province‑only
Annual Return Gov Fee	$12	$0
Best For	National brand expansion	Local or single‑province focus

Cost Breakdown: Federal Incorporation

Incorporating federally means registering with Corporations Canada, giving your company legal status across all of Canada.

Federal Fees (2026)

Articles of Incorporation – ~$200 government fee
NUANS name search (if named) – $39.99+tax
Annual return (Corporations Canada) – $12 government fee

Tip: A numbered federal corporation (e.g., 1234567 Canada Inc.) doesn't require a NUANS search.

Advantage: National Name Protection

Your name is protected across Canada, so no one else can use it federally. It’s essentially the highest level of name protection you can get, aside from trademarking the name. This is great if you sell online or plan to expand outside one province.

Extra‑Provincial Registration

If you incorporate federally but operate in specific provinces, you must also register extra‑provincially (and pay those fees).

For example:

Alberta extra‑provincial: $363.25 government fee
British Columbia extra‑provincial: $351.50 government fee
Ontario extra-provincial: $0 government fee

Some provinces also have annual return filing requirements for extra-provincial registrations, which can sometimes have fees as well.

Launch a Federal Corporation!

Provincial Incorporation: Cost Examples by Province

Provincial incorporation sets up your company in just one jurisdiction.

Province	Government Fee	Name Search or NUANS?
Ontario	$300	NUANS needed
Alberta	$283.25	NUANS needed
BC	$351.50	$30 gov fee
Manitoba	$350	$45 gov fee

✔ Provincial incorporation is sometimes cheaper if you’ll operate primarily in one province.

Launch an Ontario Corporation!

Ongoing & Hidden Costs to Budget For

Initial fees are only part of the story.

Annual Filing Fees

Federal annual return: $12 government fee
Provincial annual returns depend on jurisdiction

Corporate Records Updates

Keeping corporate records up to date, such as updating directors or registered office, may incur additional fees, depending on the jurisdiction and if you’re using a professional service.

Launch a Business Can Handle Professional Fees for You

Instead of hiring expensive lawyers or consultants, Launch a Business takes care of all the registration steps and sets up your corporation for you. Our packages simplify the process, so you avoid extra costs and headaches — all for a predictable, flat fee that’s much lower than lawyer fees.

Expert Tips Before You File

Consider Your Growth Plans
If you want national reach, federal may make sense. If local, provincial might save costs.
Always Verify Current Fees
Government fees change from year to year, and our fees can sometimes change. You can find our most current fees on the incorporation registration page.
Choose a Registered Agent or Address
You’ll need a physical address to list, and at least 1 director. Depending on where you’re incorporating, there may be Canadian residency requirements you need to meet.