Ontario Business Registry
ON, Canada
Ontario's online business registry
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateDecember 21, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to over 90 Ontario government services and complete electronic transactions immediately.
grant_single_labels|projects
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$350
Registering a sole proprietorship for a freelance graphic designer
$625
Incorporating a social economy enterprise to provide affordable housing
$425
Registering and incorporating a new non-profit focused on environmental sustainability
$125
Updating company information and filing annual returns for a financial cooperative
$550
Incorporating a new tech startup specializing in AI-driven solutions
$675
Registering and incorporating a new limited partnership for a real estate development
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility for access to the Ontario Business Registry is defined by certain prerequisites related to the business or not-for-profit's registration and system setup.
- The entity must be an existing registered business or not-for-profit in Ontario.
- A company key must be obtained, which is a unique 9-digit code linking the business to the ServiceOntario Account.
- A My Ontario Account must be created for secure access to government services.
- A ServiceOntario Account must be set up to access the Ontario Business Registry applications.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies for this grant. The following types are eligible:
- Business Corporations
- Co-operative Corporations
- Not-for-Profit Corporations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include:
- Registration fees for incorporating or registering a business
- Updating company information on the public record
- Filing annual returns directly in the Ontario Business Registry
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Ontario
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Completeness of application
- Demonstrated need for funding
- Alignment with grant objectives
- Feasibility of the project
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Get your company key
- A company key will be emailed to the official email address on file.
- If an email address is not on file, the company key will be mailed to the registered or head office address or principal place of business address on record.
- If the business address has changed, additional questions may be required to have a company key emailed.
- Step 2: Log in to My Ontario Account
- Sign in with your My Ontario Account and create a ServiceOntario Account.
- If accessing through ONe-Key, migrate to a My Ontario Account.
- With a My Ontario Account, access to the existing ServiceOntario Account to access the Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is enabled.
- Step 3: Create your ServiceOntario Account
- After signing up for the My Ontario Account, create your ServiceOntario Account.
- Link your business to your ServiceOntario Account using your company key.
- Once completed, your business will be listed on your ServiceOntario Account for OBR access.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- The Government of Ontario is replacing ONe-Key with My Ontario Account for accessing secure government services. This new service offers enhanced security and a better user experience.
- ONe-Key is no longer available. If you used ONe-Key for your ServiceOntario Account, migrate to My Ontario Account by selecting "yes" when prompted.
- If you didn't have a ONe-Key account, create a new My Ontario Account to access ServiceOntario services.
Apply to this program
Streamlining Business Filings in Ontario
The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) facilitates efficient online transactions for businesses and not-for-profit corporations operating in Ontario, offering over 90 capabilities including registration and updates. Transitioned from the older system in October 2021, it notably accelerates digital access to critical business operations and filings.
Understanding the Ontario Business Registry and Its Advantages
The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) serves as a comprehensive platform designed to streamline the management and filing processes for businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario. With the ability to conduct over 90 types of transactions online, the OBR allows entities to conveniently register, incorporate, and update vital business information from their own offices. This transformation aligns with the Government of Ontario’s goal of facilitating a more efficient, transparent, and digitally integrated economy, catering to businesses registered or incorporated prior to the platform’s launch on October 19, 2021, through seamless migration of data from older systems.
To begin leveraging the OBR's offerings, organizations must first set up an OBR profile. This requires a registered entity, a unique company key, a My Ontario Account, and a ServiceOntario Account. Such a comprehensive setup ensures that businesses have secure and ready access to their online profiles, further enhancing the overall security and management of business information.
The OBR acts not only as a filing center but also as a public resource where users can search for business information. With fees for detailed search products being nominal, it allows for ease of access to essential business data, promoting transparency. The service is supported by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, although third-party providers may add their own service fees to these transactions.
One of the key services provided by the OBR is the ability to file a wide range of transactions, from renewing business name registrations to filing annual corporate returns or even dissolving a business structure. This facilitates businesses in maintaining good standing with updated and compliant records.
For new entrepreneurs and business owners, the Ontario Business Registry provides helpful resources, including access to Small Business Enterprise Centres across Ontario. These centers offer free advice and tools, empowering entrepreneurs with the knowledge to effectively utilize the OBR for business growth. Furthermore, there’s provision for hiring intermediaries such as accountants and legal professionals, who can manage business filings on behalf of the company, provided they have been authorized with the necessary credentials and access to the company's unique key.
An important aspect of the OBR is its inclusivity for service providers through the Partner Portal. Intermediaries can manage multiple client transactions efficiently, thus expanding the scope for professional business services, enhancing the available support structure for businesses requiring assistance in filing and compliance activities.
The adoption of technology via the Ontario Business Registry exemplifies Ontario's commitment to innovation within public service delivery. With ongoing updates and improvements to its services, guided by user feedback and governmental objectives, the OBR ensures that businesses are empowered with the most robust and comprehensive tools to manage their statutory requirements efficiently.
