On this site you can:

• search a nuans in the NUANS® database what is the property of Government of Canada. It will compare the name you've entered for search with similar names with possible conflicts. The result will return you a list of names which are already registered, so you can select your name making it distinguished from the other names.
  

• contact us and one of our staff will do the Ontario name search for you
  

• order a quick Ontario Nuans Search Report
  

• register your busines or incorporate your searched name
  

• We give you access to the Pre-screening area for 5 free Ontario Nuans prescreen searches (per nuans report) of the corporate database so that you can view any direct conflicts prior to submitting your formal nuans report.
  

How to get the best Ontario Nuans Search results.

• Exact Name Search - NUANS is a phonetic look-up database. If you enter the exact name as you want to use then the database is only looking for that exact name. Therefore, DO NOT include the legal element (LTD., INC., CORP, LIMITED, INCORPORATED OR CORPORATION) as part of your search.

• Distinctive Element - Search unique distinctive elements first. This element to your name is what will make your name unique from every other name already registered. Search this by itself only if it is very unique.
  Example of a very unique name: 'Kodak', is very unique because it is a fictitious word and can be searched alone. 'Dynamite', on the other hand, is not as unique because it is a common word that can be found in the dictionary. Initials are not a good distinctive element because JHS Construction is the same as HJS Construction, SHJ Construction, JSH Construction, etc. in corporate registrations. Therefore, initials will NOT make your proposed name distinctive.

• Descriptive Element - Include your business description. Your corporate name will be much stronger if you do have a business description with your distinctive element, especially when your distinctive element is a common word likely found in the dictionary.
  Example: Dynamite Explosives Suppliers should be searched instead of 'Dynamite' alone.

• Initials - Place spaces between the initials. We do not suggest using initials in your corporate name because of what is described in the Distinctive Element section above, however, if you are planning on using initials as your Distinctive Element to your name please place spaces between the initials for search purposes. Example: J H S Corporate Name Search Services.

• Phonetic Similarities - Search it the way you normally spell it. In corporate registrations there is no difference between "Dynamite" and "Dienamyte". Phonetic similarities are direct conflicts when registering corporate names.

• Keep it Simple - Only search what you need. You can eliminate all non-essential words from this pre-screen search. Example: Inc, Ltd, Corp, The, and, &, and all punctuations.

  In a review of The Business Corporations Act dictates what constitutes bad corporate names without making reference to what is good. Section 12 prohibits the use of a name when;

  12(1) The name shall not be identical to any name that is;

  • currently on the Registry.
  • reserved for future use
  • prohibited by the Regulations

  12(2) The name is disapproved by the Registrar because the name;

  • is objectionable.
  • The name is vulgar or immoral to you, the reader.
  • is likely to mislead or confuse.

    This statement causes the most problems as someone other than the Registrar is charged with the responsibility of determining if the name is confusing. The normal test that we apply is "What does the name really say" and "How do the two names stand beside each other"?

    If you saw the two names beside each other would you be able to determine the nature of work of each without being confused. Would you assume that the two businesses offered the same services or that the services of one were the services of the other. Would you assume that the businesses are somehow related or of the some owners.

  • is similar to an existing name.

    The test here is the same as the one above. As an example of the above "Hair by James" is the same as "James Hair Salon".

    There are however, exceptions to the above. The common exception is the written consent to the user of the offending name from the first user of the name. In the example above these two names could exist beside each other if the owner of the first business gave consent to the owner of the other.

  
  

  When you have chosen a name for your corporate name, you must contact an private search house to order a Search Report on your proposed name. Once you have decided to incorporate, the first step is to choose a suitable name for your new corporation to search the name of your corporation. This report will determine if there are any other corporations with the same or a similar name.

  Order an Ontario Nuans Search and get your Nuans Search Report.

  In addition to the Act there exists a set of Regulations that govern how the act is to be interpreted.

  After you have the corporate name search report known as the nuans search report, the next step would be to incorporate your new business name.
   

  • Named Incorporation
  • Numbered Incorporation
  • Federal Incorporation
  • Professional Incorporation
  • Extra-provincial Incorporation
  
  If you would like to know more about how to incorporate, selecting the right type of incorporation, please use incorporating companies in Ontario