Ontario Notice of Change Explained: Updating Directors, Address & More

Running a corporation in Ontario means things will shift over time—new directors come onboard, others may leave, office locations can move, email addresses change, and sometimes your records simply need a clean-up. Whenever these updates happen, you’ll need to make sure the government has the correct info on file. 

That’s exactly what the Ontario Notice of Change is for: a quick, straightforward way to update your corporation’s details and keep everything compliant.

Here’s everything you need to know, explained in plain language.

What Is an Ontario Notice of Change?

A Notice of Change is the filing you use when your corporation’s key details shift. Instead of re-filing your Articles or doing a full amendment, this filing simply updates the information already on record.

You’d file a Notice of Change when something changes with your:

• Corporate address

• Director information

• Officer information

• Registered office address

• Email address

• Business activity on file

It ensures that the government—and anyone who requests your corporation’s public record—has the most up-to-date info.

File A Notice of Change

When Do You Need to File One?

Anytime your corporation’s core information changes. Some common situations:

1. You Moved Your Business

Maybe you upgraded to a bigger office or switched to or from a home-based setup.A new location = new registered address = Notice of Change.

2. You’re Adding or Removing a Director

Bringing someone new into the leadership team? Someone stepping down?Directors must be updated as soon as the change takes effect.

3. A Director Changed Their Address

Even if the director stays the same, their address change needs to be recorded.

4. You Updated Your Corporate Email Address

Ontario corporations list an email address where the province sends documents, reminders and other important information. If your email address changes, you’ll want to update it asap so you don’t miss any notifications.

5. You’re Adjusting Officer Roles

Changing a President to a Treasurer, or assigning a new Secretary, for example.

If the information is on file with the Province, a Notice of Change is how you update it.

How Soon Do You Have to File the Notice of Change?

Ontario requires that changes be filed within 15 days of them taking effect.

It’s one of those small-but-important deadlines—falling behind can cause headaches, delays, or compliance issues later.

What You’ll Need Before Filing

Luckily, the list is short. To file a Notice of Change, you’ll need:

• Your Ontario Corporation Number (OCN) or Corporate Name

• Updated information (e.g., new address, director details)

• Your Corporation Key, which was sent by the province when your corporation was set up (if you don’t have this, don’t worry - we can help!)

No corporate minute books, financials, or big paperwork—just the updated data.

What Can You Update Through a Notice of Change?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

✔ Registered Office Address

This must be a physical address in Ontario. P.O. Boxes won’t work.

✔ Email Address

Any email address you have access to will do.

✔ Directors

Add, remove, or update their addresses.

✔ Officers

Add, remove, or update their roles and addresses.

✔ Business Activity

Update the business category or primary business activity for your corporation.

If you’re changing your corporate name, share structure, or business restrictions, that’s a different filing—an amendment. We can help with that too.

Can You File Without a Company Key?

No, not anymore. The new Ontario Business Registry (OBR) requires this company key to make any changes to the corporate information. This was all introduced in October 2021, so all new corporations set up after that date were sent a key by email when they were set up. 

If you don’t have or can’t find your Company Key, Launch a Business can often help you file anyway or assist you in getting a new one. The process is smoother than most people expect.

How Launch a Business Makes It Easier

Let’s be real: government portals aren’t always the most intuitive.

At Launch a Business, we:

• Handle the entire Notice of Change filing

• Help you navigate director updates

• Guide you on address requirements

• Help get your company key if you don’t have one or can’t find it

• Send you confirmation once everything is successfully updated

You focus on running your corporation; we handle the paperwork.

Why Keeping Your Info Updated Actually Matters

Besides staying compliant, updating your records helps with:

• Opening or updating business bank accounts

• Securing financing

• Maintaining accurate corporate records

• Avoiding complications during audits or renewals

Think of it like keeping your driver’s licence address current—it just prevents future headaches.

Need to File a Notice of Change? We’ve Got You.

Whether you’re adding directors, changing addresses, or refreshing your corporate info, Launch a Business makes it simple, fast, and stress-free.

Update Your Corporation Fast!