Register a Sole Proprietorship
Start your business the simple way. We register sole proprietorships in every province and territory — name search, registry filing, and setup guidance, all done for you.
All provinces & territories
Name search included
Fast online filing
Sole Proprietorship Registration
Wherever you're based in Canada, we register your sole proprietorship with the right provincial or territorial registry.
Sole proprietorship registration
Every province & territory
01
Register your sole proprietorship in Quebec with the Registraire des entreprises — we file your declaration and secure your NEQ so you can operate under your business name.
Business name registered
REQ declaration & NEQ
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with the REQ
Register in Quebec →02
Register your Ontario sole proprietorship through the Ontario Business Registry — we register your business name and get you a Business Identification Number, valid for five years.
Business name registered
Ontario Business Registry filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
5-year registration term
Register in Ontario →03
Register your Alberta sole proprietorship and trade name through an authorized Corporate Registry — we handle the name search and filing so you can start operating.
Business name registered
Alberta Corporate Registry filing
NUANS name search included
BN & tax setup guidance
Trade name registered
Register in Alberta →04
Register your BC sole proprietorship with BC Registries — we complete your Name Request and business registration so your name is protected and ready to use.
Business name registered
BC Registries filing
Name Request handled
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with BC Registries
Register in BC →05
Register your Nova Scotia sole proprietorship with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies — we reserve your name and file your registration.
Business name registered
Registry of Joint Stock filing
Name reservation included
BN & tax setup guidance
RJSC registration
Register in Nova Scotia →06
Register your Saskatchewan sole proprietorship through ISC — we search your name and file your business name registration.
Business name registered
ISC registration filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with ISC
Register in Saskatchewan →07
Register your Newfoundland and Labrador sole proprietorship with the Registry of Companies — we handle your name and registration.
Business name registered
Registry of Companies filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
NL Registry filing
Register in Newfoundland →08
Register your New Brunswick sole proprietorship through the Corporate Registry — we complete your name search and business name registration.
Business name registered
NB Corporate Registry filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Service New Brunswick filing
Register in New Brunswick →09
Register your Manitoba sole proprietorship with the Companies Office — we reserve your name and file your business name registration.
Business name registered
Companies Office filing
Name reservation included
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with the Companies Office
Register in Manitoba →10
Register your P.E.I. sole proprietorship through the provincial Business Registry — we handle the name search and filing for you.
Business name registered
PEI Business Registry filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
PEI Registry filing
Register in P.E.I. →11
Register your N.W.T. sole proprietorship with Corporate Registries — we complete your name search and business name filing.
Business name registered
NWT Corporate Registries filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with Corporate Registries
Register in N.W.T. →12
Register your Yukon sole proprietorship through Corporate Affairs — we handle your name search and business registration.
Business name registered
Yukon Corporate Affairs filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Filed with Corporate Affairs
Register in Yukon →13
Register your Nunavut sole proprietorship with the Legal Registries Division — we complete your name search and registration.
Business name registered
Legal Registries filing
Name availability checked
BN & tax setup guidance
Legal Registries Division
Register in Nunavut →Why Business Quebec
Skip the confusing government portals. We handle the name search and registry filing for any province or territory, so you can focus on your business.
We register sole proprietorships in all 13 provinces and territories.
We check your business name's availability before filing to avoid rejections.
A quick form and we handle the rest — most registrations filed the same day.
We point you to the tax and Business Number steps you'll need next.
Provinces & territories
Typical filing time
Businesses registered
Average client rating
How It Works
Getting your sole proprietorship registered has never been easier.
01
Select where you want to register and tell us your business name.
02
We check name availability with the provincial or territorial registry.
03
We submit your sole proprietorship registration to the right registry.
04
You receive your registration confirmation, ready to open a bank account.
Expertise & Trust
We register businesses in every Canadian jurisdiction — so you get the right filing, the right name, and none of the guesswork.
One team that knows each registry's rules and requirements.
We confirm your name is available before we file, every time.
Most registrations are filed the same business day.
We help you understand licences, tax, and next steps after registering.
Sole Proprietorship Guide
A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to run a business in Canada. Here's what it means, when you need to register, and how the rules differ across provinces and territories.
A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned and run by one person. It's easy and inexpensive to set up, but you and the business are legally the same — meaning you keep all the profits and are personally responsible for its debts and obligations.
In most provinces you must register if you operate under a business name that isn't your own legal name. Some jurisdictions require registration in almost all cases. Registering protects your business name and is usually needed to open a business bank account.
Region
Registry
Notes
Quebec
Registraire des entreprises
NEQ + French name rules
Ontario
Ontario Business Registry
5-year term
BC & Alberta
BC Registries / Alberta Registry
Name request or NUANS
Atlantic
Provincial registries
NS, NB, PEI & NL
Territories
Corporate / Legal Registries
NWT, Yukon & Nunavut
A sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper, but offers no liability protection and taxes business income as your personal income. Incorporation costs more and adds paperwork, but creates a separate legal entity with limited liability and potential tax advantages. Many owners start as a sole proprietor and incorporate as they grow.
Not sure which is right for you? Tell us about your business and we'll help you choose — and register whichever you decide on.
Tell us where you live and operate, and we'll register your sole proprietorship with the correct provincial or territorial registry.
Ask a Specialist →FAQ
What is a sole proprietorship?
It's an unincorporated business owned by one person. It's the simplest and cheapest business structure — you keep all the profits, but you're also personally responsible for any debts or liabilities.
Do I have to register a sole proprietorship?
Usually, yes — if you operate under a business name other than your own legal name. Some provinces require registration in nearly all cases. Registering also lets you open a business bank account and protects your name.
Which provinces and territories can you register in?
All of them. We register sole proprietorships in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, P.E.I., and the three territories.
How long does registration take?
Most sole proprietorship registrations are filed the same business day once we have your details. Processing times can vary slightly by province or territory, and we'll keep you updated.
Do you check if my business name is available?
Yes. We search your proposed name against the registry before filing to reduce the chance of rejection. In some provinces a formal name search or reservation is required, and we handle that too.
How long does my registration last?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Ontario registrations, for example, are valid for five years and then renew. Others stay active until you cancel or must be renewed periodically. We'll tell you what applies where you register.
Do I need a Business Number or GST/HST account?
You'll need a Business Number if you register for GST/HST, payroll, or other CRA programs. Many small sole proprietors register for GST/HST once they pass the $30,000 threshold. We can guide you through the setup.
What's the difference between a sole proprietorship and incorporation?
A sole proprietorship is simple and taxed as your personal income, but offers no liability protection. Incorporation creates a separate legal entity with limited liability and possible tax benefits, but costs more to set up and maintain.
Can I use a business name that isn't my own name?
Yes, and that's usually exactly why registration is required. Registering your operating name (sometimes called a trade name) lets you legally do business under it and open accounts in that name.
Can I register in a province where I don't live?
In many cases, yes — if you carry on business there. Requirements vary, and some registrations depend on where you operate rather than where you live. Tell us your situation and we'll confirm what's needed.
What do I get after registering?
You receive official confirmation of your business name registration from the relevant registry. That's typically what banks, suppliers, and clients ask for, and what you'll use to open a business bank account.
Ready to Register?
Choose your province or territory and we'll handle the name search and filing — so you can start doing business right away.
