If you're weighing the cost to incorporate a business in Canada, the short answer is that the government filing fee itself is modest — usually between $200 and $450 — but the real total depends on whether you incorporate federally or provincially, whether you want a named or numbered company, and how much professional help you bring in. This guide breaks down the incorporation fees Canada entrepreneurs actually pay in 2026, from the bare-minimum government charge to the extras that catch first-time founders off guard.

The Core Government Fee: Federal vs. Provincial

Incorporation in Canada happens at one of two levels, and the choice affects your Canadian incorporation cost from day one.

Federal incorporation is filed under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) through Corporations Canada. Filing online costs $200, or $250 if you file by paper. A federal corporation gets its name protected across the entire country and can operate in every province, though it must still register extra-provincially wherever it actually carries on business.

Provincial incorporation ties your company to a single province's corporate registry, and fees vary noticeably by jurisdiction:

• Ontario — $300 through the Ontario Business Registry
• British Columbia — approximately $351.50 online
• Alberta — around $275 through a registry agent (varies by agent)
• Quebec — approximately $397, or $379 with priority processing

For a business that will only ever operate in one province, provincial incorporation is often simpler and avoids the extra-provincial registration step that federal corporations sometimes need. For a company planning to expand nationally or raise investment, federal incorporation's cross-Canada name protection is usually worth the small fee difference.

Business Registration Cost Beyond the Filing Fee

The government filing fee is only one line item. The full business registration cost typically includes a few other pieces:

Name Search Fees

If you want a named corporation (rather than a numbered one like "1234567 Canada Inc."), you'll usually need a name search to confirm no one else is using it. For federal filings, this search is now built directly into the Corporations Canada online filing system, so a separately ordered NUANS report often isn't required. Provincial filings may still involve a standalone NUANS search costing roughly $30 to $80. Choosing a numbered company skips this step entirely, which is a practical option for founders who don't need a branded name right away.

Professional Help

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer or accountant to incorporate — the forms are designed to be filed directly by founders. That said, many business owners bring in professional help to structure share classes, draft shareholder agreements, or handle director residency requirements correctly. Legal or incorporation-service fees generally add $700 to $2,000, depending on complexity.

Minute Books and Corporate Records

Every corporation is legally required to maintain a minute book containing articles of incorporation, director and shareholder resolutions, and a share register. A physical minute book from a legal supplier costs roughly $100 to $300; many incorporation services now include a digital version in their packages at no extra charge.

Ongoing Annual Filings

Incorporation isn't a one-time cost. Corporations must file an annual return to stay in good standing:

• Federal annual returns cost $12 per year
• Provincial annual returns range from roughly $20 to $106, depending on the province

Missing these filings can eventually lead to involuntary dissolution, so it's worth budgeting for them alongside the initial setup.

Total Cost to Incorporate: What to Realistically Budget

Putting the pieces together, a straightforward, do-it-yourself incorporation with a numbered company and no legal help can land close to the bare government fee — $200 to $400. Add a name search and you're looking at $250 to $480. Bring in a lawyer or a full-service incorporation package, and the total cost for a straightforward incorporation typically runs $700 to $2,500, covering government fees, name protection, a minute book, and professional guidance.

Federal or Provincial: A Quick Practical Note

Beyond cost, one detail trips up non-resident founders in particular: the CBCA requires at least 25% of a federal corporation's directors to be Canadian residents. British Columbia and Nova Scotia, by contrast, have no director residency requirement, which makes them popular incorporation jurisdictions for founders based outside Canada. Whichever jurisdiction you choose, you'll still need a registered office address within that province or at the federal level.

Final Thoughts

The cost to incorporate a business in Canada is rarely just the government's sticker price. The filing fee — $200 federally or $275 to $400 provincially — is fixed and unavoidable, but name searches, minute books, professional fees, and annual returns all add up around it. Founders who don't need a specific brand name right away can save money and time by incorporating as a numbered company and adding a named trade name later. For most straightforward small businesses, budgeting $300 to $1,000 for a self-filed incorporation, or $1,000 to $2,500 if you want legal support, is a realistic starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to incorporate federally or provincially in Canada?

Federal incorporation's base fee ($200 online) is generally lower than most provincial fees, but if you only operate in one province, provincial incorporation can end up costing about the same once you factor in extra-provincial registration requirements for federal corporations.

Do I need a lawyer to incorporate a business in Canada?

No. Both federal and provincial incorporation can be completed directly by the business owner through the relevant online registry. A lawyer becomes more valuable when you need customized share structures, shareholder agreements, or guidance on director residency rules.

What's the cheapest way to incorporate in Canada?

Filing online as a numbered corporation — skipping the named-company search — at the federal level or in a lower-fee province keeps costs closest to the bare government filing fee, typically in the $200 to $400 range before annual filing costs.