Look up a company by number

    BN number search (Canada)

    Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.

    Search Company Records in Canada

    3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamLast verified June 2026Primary source: Corporations Canada

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in Canada?

    Enter the BN to look up a Canada company directly on Corporations Canada. Unlike a name search, an BN returns exactly one entity, which is why it is the identifier to use for KYC, invoicing and contract checks.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the BN on the paperwork

      The BN normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the BN

      Enter the number exactly as printed. Punctuation and spacing vary between documents — strip them if the search returns nothing.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at Corporations Canada

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html.

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

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a BN in Canada?

    It is the identifier Corporations Canada assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a BN lookup free?

    Yes. Looking up a company by BN on Corporations Canada is free and requires no account.

    What if the BN returns no result?

    Re-enter it without spaces or punctuation first. If it still returns nothing, the number may be mistyped, belong to a different country's register, or not exist — ask the counterparty to confirm it in writing.

    Should I use the BN or the company name?

    The BN. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    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 look up a company by its registration number 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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