A corporation is an independent legal entity that exists separate and apart from its owners (shareholders). Basically, the corporation acts as a ‘person.’
1. As a ‘person,’ a corporation can:
- buy, sell and own assets, including land
- make contracts
- sue
- be sued
You do not need to be a large business to register as a corporation. A small business with only one owner can register as a corporation.If you need help deciding if a corporation is the best form of business, we highly recommend you get legal advice.
2. Cost
The service provider that processes your application will charge a government fee and a service fee.
See the Registry agent product catalogue.
How to apply
Step 1. Choose a name
3. An Alberta corporation name consists of 3 elements:
distinctive
descriptive
legal
‘ABC Building Supplies Ltd.’ is an example of a corporation name that contains all 3 elements.
4. Accepted legal elements
The following legal elements are permitted by the Business Corporations Act:
- Limited
- Limitee
- Ltee
- Ltd.
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Incorporee
- ULC
- Unlimited Liability Corporation
5. ‘Professional Corporation’
The ‘Professional Corporation’ element can only be used for one of the following types of professions:
- Chartered Professional Accountants
- Chiropractor
- Dentistry
- Law
- Medicine
- Optometry
Your corporation can also use a ‘number’ name, such as ‘785843 Alberta Inc.’
6. Get an Alberta NUANS report
You need to get an Alberta NUANS report and review it to make sure there is no other corporation with an identical name or a name that is too similar to your proposed corporation name. Unlike business names, identically named corporations are not allowed
7. Record your corporation’s address
The registered office needs to be a physical location in Alberta, so that the corporation can get legal documents delivered. The records address, if not the same as the registered office, also needs to be physically located in Alberta.
8. Elect a director
Elect or appoint at least one director for your corporation and record that information on the Notice of Directors.
9. Appoint an agent for service
An agent for service is an individual located in Alberta who can accept notices and documents in person or by mail on behalf of the corporation. The agent for service does not need to be a lawyer.
10. Submit your application package
You need to take your forms to a registry agent or authorized Alberta service provider. You will need to bring:
- your incorporation information forms:
- Articles of Incorporation
- Notice of English/French Name Equivalency (optional)
- Notice of Address
- Notice of Directors
- Notice of Agent for Service for an Alberta or Extra-Provincial Corporation
- NUANS report
- valid ID
- fee payment
If your information meets requirements, the service provider will enter it into the Corporate Registry computer system and give you a certificate of incorporation. You will receive an email when your federal business number is issued.