As of February 1st, 2025 all entities registered or incorporated in the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) require a Company Key to conduct transactions.
WHAT THIS MEANS?
If you have utilized Centro’s services to register or incorporate a new entity on or after October 21, 2021, (in the OBR) no further action is necessary. Centro has Delegated Authority and is authorized to carry out transactions on your behalf.
Additionally, if you have used our services and supplied a Company Key for a filing or registration, no action is necessary. Centro remains a Delegated Authority and can continue to process transactions with the OBR on your behalf. The Company Key only needs to be provided to a service provider like Centro on a one-time basis.
If you have a business entity that was created before October 19, 2021, you will need to provide a company key the first time you do a filing through Centro.
Company Key Distribution
When requesting the Company Key, if there is an official email address on file, the Company Key will be emailed. If there is no official email address on file, it will be mailed to the Registered or head office address or principal place of business that is on file.
For instructions on how to obtain a company key from the OBR, please refer to: Company Key Guide
Click here to visit the Ontario Business Registry to obtain your key.
When the Company Key is required?
| The Corporation or Business Name | As of February 1st, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Registering a new business name or Corporation | A Company Key is NOT required. It is generated when a new entity is created and emailed to the official email address. |
| The business entity was created before October 19, 2021 | The Company Key will be required the first time you use Centro’s services for a filing. |
| The business entity was created after October 19, 2021 using Centro | The Company Key is not required. Centro automatically has delegated authority and can continue to file transactions on your behalf. |
| The business entity was created after October 19, 2021 through another service provider | The Company Key will be required the first time you use Centro’s services for a filing. |
| The business entity was created after October 19, 2021 through another service provider, or yourself, but you have already provided Centro with the Company Key | The Company Key is not required. Once the key is provided to Centro for a transaction, we automatically have delegated authority and can continue to file transactions on your behalf. |
| I don’t have the Company Key for the business entity | Visit the Ontario Business Registry to obtain the Company Key. |
| *The new online Ontario Business Registry launched on October 19, 2021 | |
FAQ’s
What is a Company Key?
A Company Key consists of a unique series of digits and is provided to the official email, or registered office address. Obtaining the Company Key for an entity is a one-time process.
What if there is no official email address on file?
If there is no official email address on file you need to follow the steps in the online Company Key Guide which will validate your request by a series of questions and comparing what is on file with the OBR. If the information provided matches what is on file, the Company Key will be mailed to the registered office on record with the OBR.
What does Delegated Authority mean?
The authority given to an Intermediary and/or Service Provider that is performing services and transactions in the OBR on behalf of the entity owner.
What is an Intermediary?
Any entity having authority to act, as agent or otherwise, on behalf of their service client(s) in conducting transactions through the Ontario Business Registry such as law firms, lawyers, paralegals, accountants, small business consultants, financial institutions, search houses.