Trade name
Register a Trade Name / Operating Name / DBA
A trade name (also called an operating name or doing business as name) is the name your business uses publicly, which may differ from its legal name. Trade name allows to conduct business under different names and it plays a vital role in the business branding.
Example: ABC Inc., operating under the name “Cafeteria”.
Launch your brand with confidence—register your Trade Name (Operating Name or DBA) in Ontario or Alberta quickly and legally.
A Trade Name allows you to operate under a business name that is different from your legal name. Whether you are a partnership, corporation, or Alberta trade name registration helps you build brand identity and meet provincial compliance requirements and apply for various permits including the business account.
If registering the Trade name in Ontario, Business Name Registration document will be issued and For Alberta, Registration Statement will be issued.
Why Register a Trade Name / DBA?
- Pocket friendly option for adding 1 or more name or business expansion in same province.
- Operate under a brand name different from your legal name.
- Open business bank accounts and apply for permits.
- Build trust and recognition with customers.
- Comply with provincial regulations.
- Popular for franchising business model.
- Lay the foundation for trademark protection.
Register a Trad name in Ontario
To register a Tradename/Operating name in Ontario click on the order below.
Filing Charges $49 + Government Fees
Register a Trad name in Alberta
To register a Tradename/Operating name in Ontario click on the order below.
Filing Charges $49 + Government Fees
How to Register a Trade Name in Ontario!In Ontario, trade names are registered through the Ontario Business Registry. This applies to sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations operating under a name other than their legal name.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Choose a Unique Name : Ensure your register trade name Ontario is distinct and not misleading. Run a name pre-search report to check name availability.
- Prepare Required Information
- Legal name of the business or corporation
- Business address
- Owner’s contact details
- NUANS report (if applicable)
- Company key for the corporation if in Ontario
- Register Online
- Submit the order and complete the payment.
- Our filing experts will review and file the registration.
- Receive your documents by email.
How to Register a Trade Name in Alberta!
In Alberta Trade name registration for sole proprietorship and businesses adding more names under the current corporation. Upon successful completion of Trade name registration with Alberta registry, government issue a Registration statement.
Trade names in Alberta do not require to renew their registration as it will be active till you are conducting business under that name.
Steps for Alberta Trade name Registration:
- Check for the proposed name and ensure its free from any conflicts by checking the name availability in NUANs.
- Need a physical address not P.O. Box.
- Provide owner information if a Sole Proprietorship or corporation details if wish to register under the incorporation.
- Provide a Valid government issued Identification document.
- Brief business activities for the operations conducted under the name.
- Fill out all the requested information in the order form and complete the payment.
- Our Agents will review the accuracy of the filled information and proceed with the registration by submitting the application with the Alberta Registry.
- The documents will be sent to customer by email.
Still have question about register trade name Ontario vs Corporation
It’s a common scenario entrepreneur, and business owners confuse between the tradename / operating name, DBA (Doing Business As), and Corporation. The difference is mentioned below:
Attributes | Tradename | Corporation |
Purpose of Use | Used for Branding, Franchising, and add more operating names under a legal entity/corporation | Its legal entity to conduct business and for Tax purpose |
Does it have name protection! | Its just used for the business branding, marketing, and operating more locations under a similar name | This will have name protection and exclusive rights to the name. Also depends on the type of incorporation like Provincial or Federal |
Requirements to register | Must be registered with the provincial government. NUANs search is required to ensure the name availability | Need to follow the provincial and Federal Regulations depend on the type of incorporation. Also, NUANs report is required to submit while registering |
Status of Legality | No separate legal entity | Registered legal entity with the government and complies all the government regulations |
Major Steps to Register a Tradename in Canada
1. Requirement: You must own a corporation in any of the Canadian province or Extra-provincial registration if owns a Federal Corporation.
2. Nuans: A name search in the government records is required to avoid any potential conflict with the current trademarks or Corporations.
3. Address: To register incorporation Alberta a trade name a physical address in the province is required. If your business is in rural location then the land description is required.
4. Activities: Business activities are required to confirm the business to be conducted under the corporation. In some provinces like Ontario we need to add the activities from Pre-defined NIACS codes and provinces like Alberta we have the option to add activities manually. The Trade name activities can be different from the corporation.
5. Registration: To proceed to the final step the Alberta company registration will be filed with the government and upon successful registration the documents will be received by email.
Benefits of Trade name registration in Canada
When you choose to register a Sole Proprietorship, you unlock several strategic advantages for your business
Quick to Start
Quick to start: No complex paperwork can be registered in 1 hr.
You are in control
Tradename inherit all the properties from the corporation like Business Number, CRA Accounts and etc.
Less Regulatory Compliance
Fewer rules and filings compared to corporations or partnerships. Less time spent on managing paperwork more time for growth.
Branding
Tradename Registration helps to create a brand identity like many franchise
Validity
Tradename in Ontario renews after every 5 years but in Alberta no renewal is required. The regulations differs based on province regulation
Easy Banking
Corporation bank account can be used for the Tradenames as well no need of separate bank accounts
Tradename Application
Sole prop is a simple form of business where only 1 owner have total control on the business decisions.
NUANS Reports assess corporate/business name availability, necessary for business registration. Although the sole prop lies under Un-incorporated business but still we need to check for the current conflicts in terms of corporations and trademarks to avoid any deficiency letter.
Google search results rely on web searches and businesses with online presence. However, they cannot replace the NUANS Report, which cross-references names with various elements in the government database to generate accurate reports.
An Ontario Sole Proprietorship is valid for 5 years.
Business name can be renewed with in 60 days of expiry after that we can still proceed with the same name as a new registration.
Best practice for a business name is to add a distinctive and descriptive term.
- Full control over business decisions
- Simple tax filing (income is reported on your personal tax return)
- Minimal paperwork and regulation
- Easy and Inexpensive steup
Yes, sole proprietors can hire staff. You’ll need to register for a payroll account with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and follow employment standards.
You can Incorporate with the same name at any time depends on the name availability and a NUANS report is required to check for any potential matching conflicts.