Incorporate a business in Alberta

Requirements to incorporate in Alberta

Cost to incorporate in Alberta: government fees and processing times

Fee structure in Alberta: Government fee + unregulated agent service feesource. In other words, the government amount is fixed, but every registry agent sets its own service charge.

Name rules in Alberta

A named Alberta corporation needs an Alberta NUANS reportsource, which compares the proposed name with existing businesses. Name reservation period: 90 dayssource; the articles are filed within that window.

• A distinctive element, a descriptive element and a legal ending such as Limited, Ltd., Incorporated, Inc., Corporation or Corp.
• No name likely to be confused with an existing business, or suggesting a link with a government.
• Language: Optional English/French name equivalency noticesource.
• No name needed for a Numbered companyNumbered companyCorporation named after its registry number (e.g. 12345678 Canada Inc.). Skips the name search.See definition →: the registry assigns a number followed by Alberta Inc. or Ltd.

Director residency rules in Alberta

Director residency in Alberta: None: s. 105(3) repealed (2020 c 25 s 1)source. Directors can therefore live anywhere. The corporation still needs a local presence: a registered office in Alberta and an agent for service (Mandatory agent for service who is a resident Albertansource). Federal rules differ: At least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians; at least 1 if fewer than 4 directorssource.

How to incorporate in Alberta: step by step, how we file for you

1. 1Name or numberWe order the Alberta NUANS reportsource for a named company, or set up a numbered company.
2. 2DocumentsWe prepare the articles of incorporation, the notice of address, the notice of directors and the agent for service notice.
3. 3FilingAfter you review and sign, our partner registry agent files with the Corporate Registry. You receive the certificate of incorporation.
4. 4Digital minute bookBylaws, organizational resolutions, share issuances and registers, ready to sign and stored online.
5. 5Tax registrationsWe guide you through the CRA business number and, depending on your activities, GST, payroll and WCB accounts.

Alberta incorporation documents and sample articles of incorporation

Alberta Articles of incorporationArticles of incorporationDocument filed with the registry setting the name, share capital, number of directors and restrictions.See definition → of incorporation follow a standard form. A typical sample includes:

• the corporation's name, or a blank for a numbered company;
• the classes of shares and any maximum number;
• restrictions on share transfers, which keep the company private;
• the minimum and maximum number of directors;
• any restrictions on the business the corporation may carry on;
• other provisions, such as the directors' power to appoint additional directors.

They are filed with the notice of address, the notice of directors, the agent for service notice and, for a named company, the NUANS report. Once the registry accepts them, the corporation receives a certificate of incorporation and a corporate access number, the identifier the Alberta registry uses for the corporation. Some people look for an "Alberta corporate account number": the CRA business number is a separate number, obtained when registering for taxes.

After incorporation: annual return and registrations

• Annual return: deadline: By the last day of the month following the anniversary monthsource; fee: $53.05 government feesource.
• Director changes: notice to the registry (deadline: Within 15 dayssource).
• Minute book: resolutions, share register and director register kept up to date.
• Taxes: a corporate income tax return each year, and the GST returns that apply.

Professional corporation in Alberta

Some regulated professionals can practise through a professional corporation. Professions covered include: CPAs, chiropractors, dentistry, law, medicine, optometrysource. Each profession's regulatory body sets its own conditions (name, shareholders, permit), which a lawyer or the professional order can confirm before filing.

How to dissolve a corporation in Alberta

A corporation with no debts is usually dissolved voluntarily: the shareholders approve it by special resolution, the assets are distributed, and articles of dissolution are filed. Government fee: $20.00 government fee for the certificate of dissolutionsource. CRA accounts are closed after the final returns.

Alberta, federal or another western province?

Alberta incorporation suits a business operating mainly in Alberta. Federal incorporation protects the name across Canada (fee: $200 (online filing)source), but adds a registration in each province where the company operates. Companies from B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba registering in Alberta: Free to register and updatesource.