Steps after submitting your application

Once online payment is complete, you will not be able to make any changes to your request and no refund will be possible.

If the application doesn't need to be reviewed or approved by Corporations Canada (for example: submitting documents such as by-laws, financial statements, proxy circulars, etc.), the documents will automatically be filed with the corporation's records kept by Corporations Canada. We will then send a letter indicating that the request has been processed (for online applications only).

The following is the process for applications that need to be reviewed and approved by Corporations Canada:

Step 1 – Is your application complete and valid?

This only applies to applications filed with the PDF form, by email or by mail. You can skip this step by filing online, since your application will need to be complete and valid before you can submit it.

Upon reception of your documents, we will review them.

An application is deemed complete when:

  • it includes all the necessary documents;
  • the forms are completed and signed (if needed); and
  • the fee is paid.

An application is invalid when a corporation does not exist in the legal sense (e.g., it's dissolved or has moved to another jurisdiction).

If your application is incomplete or invalid

What Corporations Canada does

Returns your application with a letter explaining what's missing or why it's invalid.

What you need to do

Send a complete and valid application within the following time frame, starting on the date indicated in the letter:

  • 3 months for a business corporation
  • 6 months for a not-for-profit
  • 4 months for a coop

Note that a certificate can only be issued on the date Corporations Canada receives your complete application or at any later date you request.

A corporation becomes active on the effective date that appears on a certificate.

What happens if you don't respond to Corporations Canada's letter
  • Your application will be considered abandoned.
  • The fee, if any, will be refunded.

Step 2 –  Ensure your application complies with the legislation

Your application will be examined to make sure it meets the requirements of the legislation. At this step, the fees, if any, will not be refunded.

Sometimes, we need more information than what you submitted. For example: additional information about the corporate name you have proposed.

If your application is complete, but additional information is needed

What Corporations Canada does

Returns your application with a letter that tells you what additional information or documents are needed.

What you need to do

Resend your complete application with the missing information requested within the following time frame, starting on the date of the letter:

  • 3 months for a business corporation
  • 6 months for a not-for-profit
  • 4 months for a coop
What happens if you don't respond to Corporations Canada's letter
  • Your application will be considered abandoned.
  • The fee, if any, will not be refunded

Step 3 – Corporations Canada accepts your application

Once your application is accepted, we will send you a confirmation and issue a certificate, if applicable.

Note that this certificate can only be issued as of the date Corporations Canada received your complete application or at any later date that you requested in writing when submitting all the required documents and fees.

When to contact us regarding your application

If the specified processing time has not ended yet, you can assume your application is still being processed and you don't need to contact us.

If we do not respond to your application within the specified time frame, you could be entitled to a reimbursement (see Remission Policy of Corporations Canada).