How to Renew a Master Business Licence in Ontario (2026 Guide)
If your Ontario Master Business Licence is about to expire, renewing it is an important step in keeping your business name registration up to date and active. The good news? In many cases, you can renew online through the Ontario Business Registry without starting from scratch.
In this guide, we explain how to renew a Master Business Licence, when to renew, how much it costs, and what to do if your registration has already expired. We also cover common problems, including missing account access and uncertainty about which document you need.
Ontario now officially calls this document a Business Name Registration, but many business owners still search for a Master Business Licence (MBL). Whatever term you use, understanding the renewal deadline can help you avoid unnecessary delays and additional registration steps.
How Do You Renew a Master Business Licence in Ontario?
To renew your Master Business Licence in Ontario through the government directly, sign in to your Ontario.ca Login, access your business through the Ontario Business Registry (OBR), select your business name, and choose Renew under the “Make changes” menu. Pay the applicable government fee and retain your updated registration document.
You can generally renew during the six months before expiry or within 60 days after expiry. If the registration has been expired for more than 60 days, you must register the business name again as a new registration.
What Is a Master Business Licence in Ontario?
A Master Business Licence is the former common name for an Ontario business name registration document. Since Ontario transitioned to the Ontario Business Registry in October 2021, the government has used the term Business Name Registration for the relevant registration.
The registration records a business name with the province. Depending on the business structure, it can apply to:
A sole proprietorship operating under a name other than the owner's full legal name.
A general partnership operating under a business name.
A corporation operating under a name different from its corporate name.
Other eligible partnership and business-name arrangements.
For example, if an individual named Alex Morgan operates a consulting business under the name “Northstar Consulting,” a business name registration may be required. If the registration is approaching its expiry date, Alex should check the registration and arrange a renewal if the business will continue operating under that name.
Is a Master Business Licence the same as a business licence?
No. An Ontario Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence) records a business name at the provincial level. A municipal business licence or industry-specific permit is a separate requirement that may apply depending on the business activity and location.
Renewing a business name registration does not automatically renew municipal permits, professional licences, or other regulatory approvals.
When Do You Need to Renew Your Ontario Business Registration?
An Ontario Business Name Registration is generally valid for five years from the date it is accepted by the Registrar. It must be renewed if you intend to continue using the registered name and the registration is approaching expiry.
Ontario allows renewal within the following window:
1
Six months before expiry: The online renewal option becomes available.
2
On or before the expiry date: Renewing before expiry is the simplest approach.
3
Up to 60 days after expiry: A late renewal is generally available.
4
More than 60 days after expiry: A new business name registration must be done, instead of renewing old one.
Check the expiry date shown on your existing registration document and verify the current rules through the Ontario Business Registry.
What happens if you miss the renewal deadline?
If your registration has expired, the available filing depends on how long it has been expired.
Registration status | What to do |
Expires in more than six months | Note the expiry date and plan ahead. |
Within six months of expiry | You are able to file a renewal. |
Expired less than 60 days ago | Check whether the late renewal option is available. |
Expired more than 60 days ago | Submit a new business name registration. |
If you need to register the same business name again after the 60-day period, the government indicates that you will receive a new Business Identification Number (BIN) and a new Company Key.
Do not assume that an expired registration has been renewed simply because you continue to use the business name.
How to Renew a Master Business Licence with the OBR Portal
If your registration is active or has been expired for fewer than 60 days, the Ontario Business Registry is the primary place to start.
Step 1: Find your current registration
Locate your existing Business Name Registration or Master Business Licence document.
Check:
The registered business name.
The expiry date.
The Business Identification Number (BIN).
The registered owner or owners.
The business structure.
Having this information ready can make it easier to identify the correct registration.
Step 2: Sign in to your Ontario.ca Login
Go to the Ontario Business Registry and sign in using your Ontario.ca Login.
You may need to establish your Ontario Business Registry profile and link your business before you can manage the registration.
Depending on your circumstances, accessing the registry may require a Company Key, an Ontario.ca Login, and an Ontario Business Account. These are distinct elements of the access process.
Step 3: Select your business name
Once you have accessed the appropriate business profile, locate and select the registration you want to renew.
Make sure you have selected the correct business, particularly if you own more than one business or have multiple registrations.
Step 4: Choose the renewal option
Look for Renew under the “Make changes” toolbar.
If the registration is eligible for renewal, follow the online instructions to complete the filing.
If the renewal option is missing, do not immediately create a duplicate registration. First check the expiry date, confirm that you have selected the correct business, and review your registry access.
Step 5: Review the information and pay the fee
Review the information requested by the registry and confirm that the filing details are correct. Complete the payment process and submit the renewal.
The applicable government fee depends on the type of registration.
Step 6: Save your updated registration document
After the filing is accepted, save the updated registration document and any confirmation details.
Keep a copy with your business records. You may need it when dealing with a financial institution, supplier, customer, government agency, or other organization that requests proof of registration.
Also update your internal records with the new expiry date so you can plan for the next renewal.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Master Business Licence in Ontario?
The Ontario government states that renewal costs are the same as the fees for a new registration of the corresponding type.
The following are the published government filing fees in the Ontario Business Registry information reviewed for this guide.
Registration type | Government filing fee |
Sole proprietorship | $60 |
General partnership | $60 |
Ontario limited liability partnership | $60 |
Extra-provincial limited liability partnership | $60 |
Ontario limited partnership | $210 |
Extra-provincial limited partnership | $210 |
Important: Confirm the applicable fee in the official registry before filing, as fees and filing requirements can change.
Are there additional service fees?
If you complete the renewal yourself through the government registry, you generally pay the applicable government filing fee.
If you hire a third-party business registration service to help with the filing, that provider may charge an additional service fee. Ask for a breakdown of the government fee and service fee before proceeding, if you're using a service to help you.
How to Renew a Master Business Licence If It Has Already Expired
If your Ontario business registration has expired, the first thing to check is the expiry date.
If it expired less than 60 days ago
A late renewal may still be available through the Ontario Business Registry.
Sign in to your Ontario.ca Login.
Access the relevant business registration.
Check whether the renewal option is available.
Follow the filing instructions and pay the applicable fee.
Save the updated registration document.
The registry determines which filing options are available for the registration.
If it expired more than 60 days ago
You cannot renew the expired registration through the ordinary renewal process. Ontario requires a new business name registration.
If you want to continue using the same name, you can submit a new registration for that name, subject to the applicable requirements.
Be aware of these important points:
The new filing is a registration, not a renewal of the expired record.
You will receive a new BIN and Company Key.
You should review the details of the new registration carefully.
You may need to update records with organizations that use your previous registration information.
If the business name is important to your operations, avoid leaving the renewal until after the deadline.
What If You Cannot Access Your Ontario Business Registry Account?
Account access problems are a common source of confusion and frustration when business owners try to renew a registration online.
The Ontario Business Registry uses an Ontario.ca Login and an Ontario Business Account profile to access business information. A Company Key is also used to establish authority over a business or entity where required.
These are not interchangeable credentials.
I have my registration document but cannot see my business online
Check whether you have completed the process to establish your Ontario Business Registry profile and link the registration. Follow the official profile setup instructions.
I cannot find my Company Key
Review the government's Company Key guidance and follow the appropriate process to obtain or recover access. Do not share your Company Key or account credentials with anyone who does not need authorized access.
My registration does not appear to be eligible for renewal
Check the expiry date and verify that you are viewing the correct registration. If the registration is more than 60 days past expiry, you will need a new registration rather than a renewal.
Do You Need to Update Your Business Information Before Renewing?
A renewal is not the same as making a change to a business registration.
Before submitting your filing, check whether the registered information is still accurate.
For example, you may need to review:
The business name.
The owner or partnership details.
The business address and other recorded information.
The type of registration.
Whether the business still operates under the registered name.
Ontario's Business Names Act includes requirements for updating information when details in a registration change. The government should be consulted for the applicable filing requirements and deadlines.
If you need to make a change, determine whether an amendment or another filing is appropriate rather than assuming the renewal will update everything automatically.
Renewing a Business Name vs. Renewing a Corporation
One common mistake is confusing a business name registration with an incorporated company's ongoing filing requirements.
These are different processes.
Situation | What you may need |
A sole proprietor uses a registered business name | Renew the Business Name Registration every five years if continuing to use it. |
A partnership operates under a registered name | Review the applicable business or firm name registration and renewal requirements. |
A corporation uses a separate operating or trade name | Review the registration for the business name used by the corporation. |
An Ontario corporation needs to maintain its corporate status | Review its separate corporate filing obligations, including applicable annual returns. |
A business needs a municipal or industry permit renewed |
An Ontario corporation does not renew its incorporation every five years in the same way a business name registration is renewed. A corporation may, however, have a separate registered business name that requires renewal.
If you are unsure which document you have, check the name of the registration and the issuing authority before filing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renewing a Business Registration in Ontario
A little preparation can prevent unnecessary delays.
1. Waiting until after the expiry date
The renewal option generally becomes available six months before expiry. Use that period to review your information and complete the filing before the deadline.
2. Confusing the BIN with the Company Key
Your BIN identifies the business registration. The Company Key is an access credential used in the registry process. Keep the two separate in your records.
3. Assuming every expired registration can be renewed
The 60-day period matters. Once the registration has been expired for more than 60 days, a new registration is required.
4. Assuming renewal updates all other licences
A provincial business name renewal does not automatically renew municipal permits, professional licences, tax accounts, or other registrations.
5. Assuming an online submission is the same as an accepted filing
Save the confirmation and updated document once the registry has processed your filing. Keep the records together so you can verify the current registration status later.
6. Forgetting to record the next expiry date
Set a calendar reminder well in advance of the next renewal window. This is especially useful if you manage multiple registrations.
A Practical Master Business Licence Renewal Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting your renewal.
Locate your current Business Name Registration or Master Business Licence.
Confirm the registered business name and expiry date.
Check whether the registration is eligible for renewal.
Confirm that you can access the appropriate Ontario Business Registry profile.
Make sure the recorded information is accurate.
Check the applicable government fee.
Complete the renewal or new registration, as appropriate.
Save the updated document and filing confirmation.
Record the next expiry date.
Review any separate permits, licences, or corporate filing obligations.
Can Someone Help Me Renew My Master Business Licence?
Yes. If you are unsure which filing you need, cannot access the registry, or would prefer assistance with the process, a business registration service may be able to help.
Launch a Business helps Canadian entrepreneurs with business registrations, incorporations, and ongoing corporate changes. If you need help with an Ontario business registration, visit our Ontario Business Registration service page to learn more.
We can help you understand the appropriate next step based on your situation. Government filing fees and any service fees should be reviewed before proceeding.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Ontario Business Registration Up to Date
Renewing your Master Business Licence is a straightforward task when you know the expiry date and use the correct filing process.
Remember the essentials: Ontario calls it a Business Name Registration, the registration generally lasts five years, and the renewal window opens six months before expiry. If it expires, you generally have 60 days to renew before a new registration becomes necessary.
If your renewal is coming up, check your current registration and plan ahead. A few minutes spent reviewing the details now can save you from having to repeat the registration process later.
Need help with your Ontario business registration? Reach out today with any questions you've got! We're here to help!
