Verify company registration

    How to check if a company is registered in Canada

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

    Search Company Records in Canada

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

    How do I check if a company is registered in Canada?

    To check if a company is registered in Canada, search its exact registration number or legal name on Corporations Canada (https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html). Compare the identifier and available identity fields before reading the recorded status. A name-only match is a candidate, not confirmation. Official access requirements and document fees vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Open the official Corporations Canada

      Go to https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html. This is the primary government-operated source.

      https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html
    2. 2

      Search by name or number

      Use the legal name or identifier supported by Corporations Canada. Trading-name and partial-name searches are not universal.

    3. 3

      Check status and legal name

      Compare the exact identifier and legal name. Preserve the source's status wording: historical and dissolved entities can still have registry records.

    4. 4

      Cross-check the registered address

      Compare the available registered address with the counterparty's documents. A registered office can differ legitimately from a trading address; clarify the difference rather than treating it as evidence of misconduct.

    5. 5

      Download the official extract (optional)

      Most registers let you download a formal extract or certificate. Use this for KYC, procurement, or contract files.

    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 check if a company is registered in Canada?

    Search the exact registration number on Corporations Canada at https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html, then compare the legal name and available identity details. Read the status and its date in the source's own terminology. Name similarity alone does not confirm the entity.

    How can I check if a Canada company is still active?

    Read the status on the exact entity's Corporations Canada record, preserving its wording and retrieval date. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution: an entity can remain registered while undergoing liquidation. A registry status is not a solvency or trustworthiness assessment.

    Is a Canada company with a website automatically registered?

    No. A website, email domain or invoice letterhead proves nothing. The only authoritative proof is a current entry in Corporations Canada with a matching legal name and registration number.

    What proves a Canada company is legally registered?

    An entry in Corporations Canada with an "active" or equivalent status is the definitive proof. The registration number returned by Corporations Canada is the authoritative identifier.

    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 if a company is registered 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.

    How can I check if a Canada company is legitimate?

    Look the company up on the Corporations Canada / Provincial Registries. If the entity returns an "active" (or equivalent local status) result, matches the registered address on its invoices, and its listed directors match who is signing your contract, it is a real registered entity. Anything reported as "dissolved", "struck off" or "in liquidation" should be treated with caution.

    What information can I get about a Canada company for free?

    Free public data from the Corporations Canada / Provincial Registries typically includes: legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, current status, business type, and current directors / officers. Historical filings and certified copies may carry a small fee.

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