Getting a small business license in ontario

Using your ServiceOntario account makes it easier. Find, fill out and file the necessary forms for the following types of businesses or business activities:. To have a better experience, you need to: Go to your browser's settings Enable JavaScript. Home ServiceOntario. Business services You can take care of all kinds of business online, from registering a business name to filing a small claim to getting a security guard licence.

Ontario Business Registry Organizations can use the new registry to complete transactions with the government simply and quickly. Get services online You can do many things with a single ServiceOntario account.

Start with the following services. Create or use your ServiceOntario account Create or use your ServiceOntario account to manage your business transactions. To have a better experience, you need to: Go to your browser's settings Enable JavaScript.

Home Business and economy. Business applications, licences and permits Find out where to get the right business applications, licences and permits for your business. On this page Skip this page navigation. Please send completed forms to consumer ontario. Consumer reporting Consumer reporting agencies: application form requirements and fees information sheet Personal information investigators: application form requirements and fees information sheet Please send completed forms to cpolicensing ontario.

Contact information Please send your completed forms to either: cpolicensing ontario. Phone: or TTY : or Administrative authority forms Administrative authorities also oversee and provide certain licences, registrations, authorizations, approvals, certificates and permits for many types of businesses.

Please send your completed forms to the appropriate administrative authority. Travel agents and wholesalers See Travel Industry Council of Ontario for: travel agent travel wholesaler Email: tico tico.

For bailiffs including corporations : application form requirements and fees information sheet For assistant bailiffs individuals : application form requirements and fees information sheet Please send completed forms to cpolicensing ontario. For collection agencies: application form requirements and fees information sheet Please send completed forms to cpolicensing ontario. Consumer reporting agencies: application form requirements and fees information sheet Personal information investigators: application form requirements and fees information sheet Please send completed forms to cpolicensing ontario.

See the Bereavement Authority of Ontario for forms for: Funeral establishment operators or transfer service operators Cemetery operators, crematorium operators or alternative disposition operators Transfer service sales representatives, funeral preplanners or funeral directors Email: info thebao. See the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario for application forms for: condominium manager condominium management provider Email: info cmrao.

The Business Names Act does not protect the exclusivity of a registered name. You may be able to protect your business name by registering a trademark under the Trade-Marks Act federal legislation. The Business Names Act does not prohibit registration of identical names, but if you decide to use a name that is the same as or confusingly similar to that of an existing business, it could result in a lawsuit.

The person registering the name also assumes full responsibility for any risk of confusion with an existing corporation, business name or trademark. You may also wish to do some research to see if incorporating is a better alternative for your business.

Identical corporation names cannot be incorporated in Ontario. If you incorporate and carry on business under the corporate name set out in the Articles of Incorporation, there is no requirement to register under the Business Names Act. However, if the corporation is operating with a name that is different from its corporate name, the operating name must be registered under the Business Names Act.

The registrant of a business name who has suffered damages because someone else has registered the same name or one that is deceptively similar can take legal action through the courts. The Business Names Act entitles you to recover compensation for damages suffered and provides for a court order cancelling the registration that was the cause of the action. Central Production and Verification Services Branch staff cannot provide specific advice on name selection.

If you are not sure about the use of a name, you should consult a lawyer. You will be referred to a lawyer for up to one half-hour free legal consultation. You must be 18 years of age to access this service. The Law Society Referral Service can be reached by telephoning Choosing the right name for your new business is an important decision. You want a name that will draw potential customers, help clients identify your company and build your business image. A name that is easy to remember and provides information about the products or services you offer is always a good choice.

Choose a distinctive name to stand out from your competitors. Make sure the name is not misleading or confusing in its description of the goods or services you will provide.

If you register a name that is contrary to the Act or regulations, the name is subject to cancellation at any time. Business names composed of characters from other alphabets must be translated and registered in a language using the Roman alphabet. A business name in a language other than one using the Roman alphabet may be used in advertising and signs, but the business name must also be displayed in a language using the Roman alphabet.

For example, a business that registers its name in English may have letterhead or signs in Chinese characters as long as the English name is also displayed at the place of business.

The following marks may also be included in the name, but may not be used as the first character:! The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade operates enterprise centres and business self-help offices across the province to assist anyone wanting to start a new business.

They provide information, access to resource material and advice on preparing a business plan, managing a new business and governmental assistance available to entrepreneurs. Small Business Services SBS provides access to accurate, timely and relevant information on federal and provincial business-related programs, services and regulations. SBS works with ServiceOntario, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and community partners to ensure consistency of information across multiple levels of government.

The SBS has a contact centre staffed by knowledgeable information officers who can respond to business-related inquiries in both official languages between a. To have a better experience, you need to: Go to your browser's settings Enable JavaScript. Home Business and economy.