Do you want to use a business name that differs from your full name or the name of your corporation?
Why? – you ask.
Using a business name that is different from your or your company’s name can facilitate corporate branding. Make it unique and catchy in order for people to start associating it with your company and product or service that it offers. In our earlier article on Creating your Corporate identity through Branding we discuss the strategy which can be applied when choosing a business name. But how do you register it?
Business names are registered with the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch (CPPSB) of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) and are placed on the Public Record maintained by CPPSB for public disclosure.
Who Must Register Under the Business Names Act?
The Ontario Business Names Act applies to:
sole proprietorships (one owner) carrying on business under a name other than the individual’s full name;
partnerships carrying on business under a firm name other than the full names of the partners;
corporations carrying on business under a name other than their corporate name;
an existing general partnership or limited partnership registering a business name different from the registered firm name; limited liability partnerships; extra-provincial limited liability partnerships; and extra-provincial limited liability companies.
Visit ESC Corporate Services to have your Business Name Registratered or Renewed. We offer the following services:
Ontario Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietor, General Partnership, Corporation)
Ontario Business Name Renewal
Ontario Limited Liability Partnership/Extra-Provincial Limited Liability Partnership/Company
Ontario Partnership/Limited Partnership
Ontario Limited Partnership Declarations
WSIB and EHT Applications
Nationwide Business Name Registrations/Filings