Check whether a company is active

    Check if a Canada company is active

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Canada

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Corporations Canada

    How do I check whether a company is still active in Canada?

    Identify the exact company in Corporations Canada, then record its status, source and retrieval date. Active registration does not prove current trading or financial health. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution; interpret each status using the official register's terminology.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the company

      Search by name or registration number to open the correct record.

    2. 2

      Read the status field

      Preserve the exact status wording and its effective date where supplied. Consult the official explanation; a non-active label is not by itself a fraud verdict or a complete legal opinion.

    3. 3

      Check the available filing dates

      Distinguish the document date, status effective date and retrieval date. Filing schedules vary by entity and jurisdiction, so a gap is a question to investigate rather than proof of non-compliance.

    4. 4

      Confirm at the source

      Status changes propagate from Corporations Canada at https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html. For a decision with money attached, confirm there.

      https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html
    Open Corporations CanadaAll Canada records

    Canada: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    First identify whether the corporation was created federally or under a province or territory. Corporations Canada's search covers federal corporations; use the relevant provincial or territorial register for entities incorporated there.
    Confirm the entity
    Record the corporation number together with its incorporating jurisdiction. A business number is not interchangeable with every provincial corporation number. Compare numbered-company names and any operating names carefully.

    Check current access and document options on the official Corporations Canada / Provincial Registries site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Canada registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I know if a Canada company is still trading?

    The register's status field is the authoritative answer. An active/registered status on Corporations Canada means the entity is currently on the register. It does not by itself prove the business is operating, so also check the most recent filing date.

    What does "dissolved" or "struck off" mean?

    These labels generally indicate a registration has ended or been removed. Check the source's explanation and any subsequent reinstatement or successor filings. Contract validity and legal consequences require separate advice; they cannot be decided from this field alone.

    Is checking company status in Canada free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free. Check Corporations Canada's current access terms for status information or official documents; fees and account requirements vary.

    Should I search federal or provincial?

    If you know the company incorporated federally, search Corporations Canada. Otherwise, most Canadian businesses register provincially. Ontario (ONBIS), BC (BC Registry), Alberta (CORES), and Quebec (REQ) each have separate searchable databases.

    People also ask about check whether a company is still active in Canada

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Canada company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Corporations Canada / Provincial Registries are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Canada business registry?

    The Corporations Canada / Provincial Registries is the official public register of companies incorporated in Canada. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html.

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