Faq for
Basically, a fiscal year end is the date on which a company completes a 12-month business cycle, which can be other than December 31st.
As per CRA, your fiscal year-end for a corporation can be any date you choose so long as it is within 53 weeks of your incorporation date. A corporation has to file its income tax return within six months of the end of its fiscal period. When the fiscal year ends on the last day of the month, the return is due on or before the last day of the sixth month after the end of the tax year. When the fiscal year ends on a day other than the last day of the month, the return is due on or before the same day of the sixth month after the end of the tax year.
It is a good idea to speak to an accountant, or tax lawyer when deciding on a fiscal year end date.
To make changes to directors, officers, addresses, official email, or activity classification code for an Ontario corporation, an application form 5284E – Notice of Change must be filed. It can be completed on our website here: Notice of Change Note, account registration is required.
To change the name of a corporation, change the share structure, or change the minimum and maximum number of directors for a corporation, Articles of Amendment must be filed.
Orders are processed during regular business hours which are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Orders placed online in the evenings or weekends will be processed the next business day. Most electronically generated reports will be emailed within the hour depending on system availability. Please refer to the processing times in the details of each product for more information.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
No. Effective October 19th, 2021 all corporate articles and registrations will have to be electronically submitted to the new Ontario Business Registry.
The key is not required at this time. Centro can process all filing and registration documents without a company key. Centro is a qualified intermediary with an account to a contracted service provider for direct access.
We are open from 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
We are closed on all statutory holidays.
Services are limited on Remembrance Day and Easter Monday due to government office closures.
No, as of October 19th, 2021 all Ontario Articles, Business and Limited Partnership registrations must be filed electronically. You can find the new application forms on our website in our resources. you can also submit completed Ontario Articles here for electronic filing.
Ontario Business name registrations can be submitted here.
No, we are a Search House which provides search and registration services to legal, financial and business clients.
Yes, we have access to a Canada-wide database that will tell us which Province a business is incorporated. We suggest contacting us before placing an order since the registry fees for search reports are different in each Province.
Yes, corporations never come off the corporate registry records regardless of their status.
No, shareholders and shareholder information not part of the public record and not a requirement when filing articles of incorporation. To see the share structure and share provisions of a corporation, copies of the articles should be ordered.
A entry will appear on the Document List with a CB under Act/Code, which stands for Central Production and Verification Services Branch (aka Ministry) and the Memo is concerning a Business name that has been cancelled that is associated with the corporation.
Yes, the report will provide the information that remains on file and indicate the status of the corporation.
They will no longer appear on NUANS in approximately 30 days. When they are expired you have to order an ‘Expired Business Name Search’ to obtain details. The Ministry only keeps 15 years of EXPIRED records, older records go to Archives of Ontario.
A preliminary search or ‘pre-search’ is performed with every NUANS order to check if there are conflicts with the name. If similar names exist the client will be notified and a new name must be provided. It is recommended to provide 3 variations of the name.
Once the preliminary search is complete and no conflicts are found with the proposed name and authorization is given to proceed the report can be generated within a few minutes. The entire process can take 1 to 2 hours depending on the time of day and how quickly the client responds.
No, property liens are not registered through the Personal Property Registry in Ontario. Property liens are registered on title through the Land Registry system.
No, property liens are not registered through the Personal Property Registry in Ontario. Property liens are registered on title through the Land Registry system.
A charge is another name for a Mortgage.
PIN stands for the Property Identification Number. Every property in Ontario will have a PIN.
A Parcel Register is a record containing the current owner, legal description and a list of instruments registered against the property within the Province of Ontario Land Registration System (POLARIS) as of the date of the search. An example of an instrument is a mortgage or a lien registered against the property.
Litigation searches in Ontario are usually completed within 24 to 48 hours in most jurisdictions. (during business hours) The processing times can vary due to limited access to the courts as a result of COVID restrictions which are still in effect. The cost per search starts at $55 for the first name, each additional name searched will be discounted.
Writs have to be renewed every 6 years less a day.
No. The new OBR requires an address change to a Business Registration to be filed separately as an amendment (either before of after the renewal).
Yes, as long as the EP LLC is registered in Ontario (via a Form 6)
Yes, the following characters may be included in the business name, but should NOT be used as the first character:
@ ! ” # $ % & ‘ ( ) * + , – . / : ; > = < ? [ ] \ ^ ` ´ .
Yes, but only when the mailing address is outside Ontario (item 3). Reminder, post office boxes are not acceptable.
Yes, there is a 60 grace period for a renewal to maintain the same BIN number. Government registration fees still apply. Note, there is no grace period for Limited Partnerships.
The Business Name registration can be updated by an amendment and it will maintain the same BIN number. It can be in 2 steps (1 after the continuance and 1 after the amalgamation/new number) or in 1 step after the amalgamation and new Ontario number.
Yes, it can be two individuals or professional corporations.
Yes, complete the new information and mark as renewal.
Yes, however, only if it is renewed within 60 days of expiring. If it is renewed after that time it will be assigned a new BIN number.
The business name is registered as an amendment.
The allowed business descriptions are: Law Practice, Paralegal Services, Chartered Accountants and CGA.
No, an LP amendment must be filed first to change the General Partnership information. Note, the dissolution cannot be filed for at least 48 hours until the amendment has been fully data-entered.
Yes, a trust is acceptable as a GP. Private trusts are not required to be registered with the Ministry.
Yes, all 3 registrations can be processed the same day (2 Limited Partnerships and the General Partnership). Keep in mind the Form 3 Limited Partnerships take a minimum of 48 hours to be fully data-entered.
No, it takes 48 hours for the amendment to be fully data entered before a search report can be ordered.
No, Limited Partnership registrations take a minimum of 48 hours to be fully data-entered. The amendment can be filed once the first filing is fully data-entered.
NO. It has to be dissolved and registered as new with the new jurisdiction.
Yes, both changes can be included on one Form 3.
Yes, the LLC must register in Ontario by using a Form 6 and then it can become the GP on an LP. The corporation number is not required on the LP form in the GP section.
A PO box can only be used for the mailing address (section 3) of the form.
The Ontario Annual Return is filed under the Corporations Information Act (CIA) which is an annual information return disclosing basic information about an Ontario corporation, including the corporation’s name, business address, and directors and officers. This return is generally due six months after the fiscal year-end for corporations with share capital or 60 days after the date of incorporation, amalgamation, or continuance for corporations without share capital (not-for-profit corporations).
To make changes to directors, officers, addresses, official email, or activity classification code for an Ontario corporation, an application form 5284E – Notice of Change must be filed. It can be completed on our website here: Notice of Change Note, account registration is required.
No. Effective October 19th, 2021 all corporate articles and registrations will have to be electronically submitted to the new Ontario Business Registry.
Yes, the amalgamation will be filed and stamped and will be processed as payment only until the amendment is fully data-entered.
No, the Ministry requires Certified copies of the articles from the relevant Corporate Registry.
No, if a Certificate of Status is not available the Ministry will require a legal opinion from the home jurisdiction. (should be on letterhead and signed by a lawyer from the foreign jurisdiction)
Since the corporation is now considered to be foreign after continuing out of Ontario, they will be required to file an Application for an Extra-Provincial License (Form 1) along with the Form 2 Agent for Service.
No, it takes 24 hours for the electronic incorporation to appear in the ONBIS database.
Yes, the same Ontario corporation number can be placed on the Articles of Continuance.
No, the application must be signed by a director of officer of the Corporation.
No, ULC does not comply with the OBCA.
Yes, enter the complete corporation name, corporation number and the date of adoption for each corporation.
No, the articles of amendment may lock the file until it is fully data-entered which can take 48 hours.
Yes, the documents can be submitted over the counter together and processed as payment only. They are processed in the back and placed in a pickup box once complete. Note, Articles of Continuance are processed in either 24 hours for $500 or 48 hours for $330.
Yes, back-to-back amalgamations can be filed on the same day during a regular work week; however, they cannot be dated on the weekends or a statutory holiday. Also, a Form 1 CIA cannot be filed after the first amalgamation since the file will be locked for processing.
YES, as long as the continuance is submitted in time 24 or 48 hours beforehand. Articles of Continuance can be processed in 24 hours for $500 and in 48 hours for $330.
Yes, similar to other Ontario articles they can be post-dated up to 30 days.
Yes, if the document is not in English or French it will have to be certified translated. A certificate of status us required from the home jurisdiction when filing and Extra-Provincial License Application (Form 1).
The Federal Corporation will maintain the same Ontario number.
Yes, indicate the desired date on the cover letter with the articles.
Yes, the date the articles are filed does not have to be the same date of the agreement.
Because it was terminated, the corporation has to complete the entire filing again and pay the fees of $330 (the application – Form 1 and the Appointment of Agent for Service – Form 2). However, they will keep the same number which can be inserted on the application.
When a corporation files a Form 2 Extra-Provincial License they are only filing a notice to operate in Ontario, which means they will remain active in their home jurisdiction as well as Ontario.
If the corporation files Articles of Continuance, they are leaving their home jurisdiction and becoming (continuing) as an Ontario corporation. It will become inactive in the home jurisdiction. Certificates of Status are available for corporations that continue into Ontario.
Yes, however it is recommended to print them in colour on good quality paper.
No, the date commended business activity in Ontario cannot be dated before the date the Notice is filed.
Document authentication is a process whereby the signature and seal are verified and compared with what is on file with the Official Document Services office in Toronto, or Global Affairs in Ottawa.
Authentication will only be granted if:
- All parts of the signature, seal and/or stamp of the Notary Public of Commissioner for taking affidavits are original, complete and clearly displayed on the same page of the document.
- The Notary Public or Commissioner is on file.
- The name, seal and/or stamp is identical to what is on file.
Yes, only if the document is being legalized at an Embassy office in Ottawa. In order to have the document authenticated, Global Affairs requires a certified translated copy for any documents in other languages other than English or French.
Documents being legalized at a Consulate office in Toronto are authenticated by the Official Document Services office and they do not require certified translations.