Overview

The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) offers fast and convenient access for organizations that are registered, incorporated, or licensed to carry on business in Ontario. If your corporation or entity was registered or incorporated before the launch of the OBR on October 19, 2021, your business information has been migrated from our previous system.

If you currently access your ServiceOntario account using ONe-key, you will need to migrate your account to a My Ontario account by creating or logging into an existing My Ontario account and select "yes" when prompted about ONe-key migration.

For more information, please refer to Creating a My Ontario Account Guide to access ServiceOntario.

Set up your Ontario Business Registry profile

To manage your business online and complete filings, you will need to first set up your OBR profile and gain authority over your business. To do this, you will need:

  • to have an existing registered entity: You can use our step-by-step guide to decide on your ownership structure for your business and register online.
  • a company key: This is a unique 9-digit code that is required to link your business to your ServiceOntario Account.
  • a My Ontario Account: This is a login that gives you secure access to Government of Ontario services.
  • a ServiceOntario Account: This will give you access to ServiceOntario’s applications including the OBR.

Search the registry and order search products

Most of the information filed on the OBR, such as registered office or other address information, will be placed on the public record and is publicly available for searches under the business statutes. Administrative information such as contact information for the filing and the official email address is not shown on the public record.

Anyone can search the OBR for free to get basic information about a business or not-for-profit organization. For more detailed information, you can order a search product directly through the ministry or through an authorized service provider. Types of search products include:

  • profile report - $8
  • document copies - $3
  • certificate of status - $26

Note: fees listed are for products ordered directly from the ministry. Service Providers may charge additional service fees.

If you have an existing ServiceOntario Account with your OBR profile linked, you can order a search product for your own entity by logging into My Ontario and selecting “Request Search Products” in the drop-down list from your entity’s profile.
 

File transactions in the OBR

Once you set up your OBR profile, you will be able to file transactions online in the OBR. Some common services include:

  • renew your business name registration
  • file an annual return for your corporation
  • update your company information
  • cancel or dissolve your sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation

Notices of filing requirements

These notices of filing requirements are guides that will help if you are incorporating a business or not-for-profit, registering a business name, partnership or extra-provincial company, or need to make changes or dissolve an existing entity. Below are a few examples of notices. For a full list of notices, select the “View all notices” button.

Business Corporations Act (BCA)

Corporations Information Act (CIA)

Business Names Act (BNA)

Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (NFPCA or ONCA)

Helpful resources

Small business enterprise centres

There are 52 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across Ontario that provide free guidance, information, and tools for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses.

Hire an intermediary to file on your behalf

You can hire an intermediary if you need additional help or prefer to have someone else file transactions in the OBR for your business. An intermediary is a business or individual that you can give authority to complete transactions in the OBR on your behalf. These types of intermediaries could include:

  • legal professionals
  • accountants
  • businesses that provide filing and search related services
  • service delivery partners

If you use an intermediary to help manage your business, you will need to share your company key. Only share your company key with a trusted intermediary.

Partner Portal for intermediaries

If you are a business that provides OBR services to clients, you may benefit from using the OBR Partner Portal. The Partner Portal allows intermediaries to file online transactions in the OBR on behalf of multiple business clients.

All intermediaries who have set up an account in Partner Portal may be eligible to be included in a list of intermediaries available to business clients looking for help with OBR services. Learn more and sign up for Partner Portal

Contact us

Help us improve our service.

Take a 2-minute survey about your use of the OBR

Contact us by email if you have questions about the OBR. You can also call ServiceOntario from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m:

  • Tel: 416-314-8880
  • Toll-free: 1-800-361-3223
  • TTY: 416-325-3408
  • Toll-free TTY: 1-800-268-7095