Get an official company extract

    How to get a company extract in Canada

    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 get an official company extract in Canada?

    Start with Corporations Canada at https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html to identify the entity and available company extract. An ordinary extract, historical filing and certified copy are different documents. Check the recipient's requirements and official access conditions before ordering. A LemReveal PDF is not a government-certified extract.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Confirm the entity first

      Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.

    2. 2

      Choose the evidence required

      Ask the recipient whether it needs an ordinary extract, historical filing, certified copy, translation or legalisation. A free summary is not automatically sufficient.

    3. 3

      Follow the official document route

      Use https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html to find the issuing authority or authorised service and its current fees. Check what the document actually certifies.

      https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html
    4. 4

      Check the issue date

      Ask what issue date the recipient accepts; there is no universal three-month validity period. Retain the issue date, retrieval date and source.

    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

    Do I need a paid extract to verify a Canada company?

    Compare available public information with official document options and the recipient's requirements. Free lookup does not guarantee complete or certified evidence.

    What does a Canada company extract contain?

    Contents vary by document. Check whether it covers current identity, officers, representation or historical filings. A registration certificate does not necessarily describe today's appointments.

    Is a LemReveal PDF an official extract?

    No. It is a third-party research record. Obtain an official or certified document through the relevant authority or authorised service when required.

    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 get an official company extract 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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