Incorporate a business in Yukon

Requirements to incorporate in Yukon

Yukon business corporations are governed by the Business Corporations Act (RSY 2002, c. 20). The registry looks at the same handful of items in every file, so it pays to have them settled before anyone signs.

That last point shapes the whole process. The articles and the notices filed with them (registered office address and first directors) are signed by hand, then sent to the registry on paper. Name reservations and annual reports, on the other hand, can be handled in YCOR, Yukon's online corporate registry.

Government fees and processing times in Yukon (sourced)

These amounts come from the Yukon registry and are updated whenever the registry changes them. They are separate from Incorpo's fees, which are listed on our pricing page.

• Articles of incorporation (paper filing): $300source
• Standard processing: Up to 10 business dayssource
• Expedited processing during business hours: $100source, on top of the regular fee
• Expedited service outside regular business hours: $500source
• Name reservation: $40 online (YCOR) or $60 papersource
• Priority name reservation: $100 (within 2 business days)source

Name rules in Yukon

A Yukon corporation can carry a word name (for example, a brand) or a numbered name. For a word name, the registry first checks that it isn't too close to an existing business name.

• How names are cleared: Certificate of name reservation: Form 1 and $60, or YCOR at $40source.
• Reservation fee: $40 online (YCOR) or $60 papersource.
• How long a reservation lasts: 90 dayssource.
• Legal ending: Limited/Ltd., Incorporated/Inc., Corporation/Corp. or the French equivalentsource.
• English and French versions of the same name: Both forms must be reserved and approved; a fee applies to each name searchsource.

A numbered companynumbered companyCorporation named after its registry number (e.g. 12345678 Canada Inc.). Skips the name search.See definition → skips the name step altogether. Many owners start with a number to get going quickly, then register a trade name or change the corporate name later by amending the articles, which costs $100source at the registry.

Director residency rules in Yukon

The Act lists who cannot serve as a DirectorDirectorPerson elected by shareholders to manage the corporation. Federally, 25% must be Canadian residents.See definition → of a Yukon corporation: Under 19; guardianship or incapacity; not an individual (except s. 106(1.1)); bankruptsource.

Yukon is also one of the few jurisdictions where a corporation can sit on the board. Corporate director: Allowed (Yukon or extra-territorial corporation, with its Yukon registry number)source.

Step by step: how we file for you

1. 1Pick a name or a numberTell us the name you want. We run a preliminary search and file the name reservation, or set up a numbered company if you'd rather skip that step.
2. 2Answer a short questionnaireDirectors, shareholders, share classes and your registered office address in Yukon. The form flags missing or inconsistent information before anything is signed.
3. 3Sign the originalsWe prepare the articles of incorporation and the notices that go with them. Since the registry asks for original signatures, we send you the documents with clear instructions for signing and returning them.
4. 4Filing with the registryWe file the package with the Yukon corporate registry and pay the government fees, which appear as a separate line on your invoice. If the registry asks for a correction, we handle the follow-up.
5. 5Certificate and minute bookOnce the certificate of incorporation is issued, you receive it with your stamped 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 we are not affiliated with the Government of Yukon; you can always file directly with the registry yourself.

After incorporation: annual return and registrations

A Yukon corporation keeps a few recurring obligations with the registry. They are light, but missing them has consequences.

• Annual returnAnnual returnMandatory yearly filing with the registry, separate from the tax return. Missing it can lead to dissolution.See definition → fee: $100source
• Annual return deadline: By the last day of the month after the incorporation anniversarysource
• Filing the annual return online: Yes, through YCORsource
• Notice of change of directors: Within 15 days, no feesource
• Register of individuals with significant control: Required since 2025-06-01; register to be created by 2026-06-01source
• Significant control threshold: 25% of shares or other controlsource

Outside the registry, a new corporation generally needs a business number from the Canada Revenue Agency and, depending on its activities, GST registration, a payroll account and a municipal business licence. An accountant can tell you which ones apply to your business.

Yukon or federal incorporation: how they compare

A federal corporation under the CBCACBCAFederal statute governing corporations formed with Corporations Canada.See definition → can use its name across Canada, but it must also register 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 Yukon: $300source, then $100source a year
• Deadline to register in Yukon: Required before or within 30 days after starting to carry on business in Yukonsource
• Attorney for service: Required for extra-territorial corporations: attorney for service with a Yukon addresssource

A business that operates only in Yukon avoids the extra-territorial registrationextra-territorial registrationRegistering a corporation formed elsewhere in a province where it does business.See definition → and its annual fee by incorporating locally. A business planning to expand into several provinces may weigh the federal route plus registrations instead. The right fit depends on your plans; an accountant or a lawyer can compare both with you.