Incorporate a business in Nunavut

Requirements to incorporate in Nunavut

Nunavut corporations are governed by the Business Corporations Act (Nunavut), S.N.W.T. 1996, c. 19, inherited from the Northwest Territories when Nunavut was created. Filings go to the Corporate Registries of Nunavut Legal Registries.

The articles travel with notices on the registered office and the first directors. Because the registry accepts most filings as PDF attachments by e-mail, the file can move faster than in jurisdictions that still require mailed originals, provided every form is complete and consistent on the first try.

Government fees and processing times in Nunavut (sourced)

These amounts come from Nunavut's Corporate Registries fee schedule and are updated when it changes. Incorpo's fees are separate and listed on our pricing page.

• Articles of incorporation: $300source
• Name search and reservation: $25source
• Amending the articles later (a name change, for example): $100source
• Annual return: $70source

Name rules in Nunavut

For a word name, the registry checks for conflicts with existing names before the articles can be filed.

• How names are cleared: Name Search and Reservation required for incorporationsource.
• Fee: $25source.
• How long a reservation lasts: 90 dayssource.
• Language of the name: English, French, both, or a combined English-French formsource.

With a numbered companynumbered companyCorporation named after its registry number (e.g. 12345678 Canada Inc.). Skips the name search.See definition →, there is no name to clear: the registry assigns a number. It is a common way to get started quickly, before choosing a brand. You can operate under a trade name, or change the corporate name later by amending the articles.

Director residency rules in Nunavut

The Act lists who cannot be a DirectorDirectorPerson elected by shareholders to manage the corporation. Federally, 25% must be Canadian residents.See definition → of a Nunavut corporation: Under 19; of unsound mind; not an individual; bankruptsource.

Once incorporated, the corporation reports any change to its board. Notice of change of directors: Within 15 dayssource.

Step by step: how we file your articles of incorporation in Nunavut

1. 1Name or numberTell us the name you want. We run a preliminary search and submit the name search and reservation, or set up a numbered company if you'd rather skip that step.
2. 2QuestionnaireDirectors, shareholders, share structure and a registered office address in Nunavut. The form flags missing or inconsistent details before anything is signed.
3. 3SignatureWe prepare the articles and the accompanying notices and send them to you for signature, with clear instructions.
4. 4Filing with the registryWe submit the signed forms to the Corporate Registries as PDF attachments and pay the government fees, which appear on a separate line of your invoice. If the registry asks for a correction, we take care of it.
5. 5Certificate and minute bookOnce the certificate of incorporation is issued, you receive it with your articles, organizational resolutions and a digital minute bookminute bookOfficial record holding a corporation’s articles, by-laws, resolutions and registers.See definition →.

Incorpo is a private company. We are not the registry and are not affiliated with the Government of Nunavut; you can also file directly with the Corporate Registries yourself.

After incorporation: annual return and registrations

After the certificate is issued, the corporation adopts its by-laws, issues its first shares and keeps its registers in the minute book. With the registry, the recurring obligations are few:

• Annual returnAnnual returnMandatory yearly filing with the registry, separate from the tax return. Missing it can lead to dissolution.See definition → fee: $70source
• Annual return deadline: By the end of the month following the incorporation/amalgamation anniversarysource
• Notice of change of directors: Within 15 dayssource

Outside the registry, a new corporation generally obtains a business number from the Canada Revenue Agency and, depending on its activities, registers for GST, payroll and any municipal licence. An accountant can tell you which registrations apply.

Nunavut or federal incorporation: how they compare

A federal corporation under the CBCACBCAFederal statute governing corporations formed with Corporations Canada.See definition → files online and can use its name across Canada, but it registers separately in each province or territory where it carries on business. Federal extra-provincial registration: Yes, in each province and territory where it conducts businesssource.

• Federal incorporation online: $200 (online filing)source
• Federal processing time: 1 business day (online)source
• Registering an outside corporation in Nunavut: $300source
• Annual fee for that registration: $70source
• Deadline to register: Required before or within 30 days after starting to carry on business in Nunavutsource
• Registered office in Nunavut for an outside corporation: Requiredsource

A business that operates only in Nunavut avoids the extra-provincial registrationextra-provincial registrationRegistering a corporation formed elsewhere in a province where it does business.See definition → and its annual fee by incorporating locally. One that already works across territories or provinces may compare the federal route plus registrations. Which suits you depends on your plans; an accountant or a lawyer can weigh both with you.