A corporation is an independent legal entity that exists separate and apart from its owners (shareholders).
As a ‘person,’ a corporation can:
- buy, sell and own assets, including land
- make contracts
- sue
- be sued
How to apply?
Step 1. Choose a name
An Alberta corporation name consists of 3 elements:
- Distinctive
- descriptive
- legal
‘ABC Trucking Ltd.’ is an example of a corporation name that contains all 3 elements.
Distinctive element
The distinctive element of a name is a unique word or location that makes your corporate name different from others.
In the example above, ‘ABC’ is the distinctive element.
Descriptive element
A descriptive element describes what the corporation does or what the corporation is.
In the example above, ‘Trucking’ is the descriptive element.
Legal element
All Alberta corporations are required to have a legal element at the end of their name.
In the example above, ‘Ltd.’ is the legal element.
Accepted legal elements
The following legal elements are standard legal elements permitted by the Business Corporations Act:
- Limited
- Limitee
- Ltee
- Ltd.
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Incorporee
- ULC
- Unlimited Liability Corporation
The ‘Professional Corporation’ element can only be used for one of the following types of professions:
- Chartered Professional Accountants
- Chiropractor
- Dentistry
- Law
- Medicine
- Optometry
Your corporation can also use a ‘number’ name, such as ‘123456 Alberta Inc.’
- the number portion of the name is assigned by a Corporate Registry
- ‘Alberta’ always forms the second part of the name
You may choose one of the standard legal elements above.
Step 2. Get an Alberta NUANS report
You need to get an Alberta NUANS report and review it to make sure there is no other corporation with an identical name or a name that is too similar to your proposed corporation name. Unlike business names, identically named corporations are not allowed.
Order NUANS REPORT Here.
The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days.
If you looking to create a numbered corporation, you do not require a Nuans report.
Step 3. Record your corporation’s address
The corporation needs a physical location in Alberta so that the corporation can receive its legal documentation.
You will need a mailing address in Alberta for the corporation if you do not have mail delivered to the registered office.
The articles of incorporation can also be emailed as per the requirements of the incorporator.
Step 4. Elect a director
As per rules and regulations in Alberta, Canadian residency for directors have been eliminated as of March 29, 2021.
You need to appoint at least one director for the corporation. The incorporator can also be the director of the corporation.
Step 5. Appoint an agent for service
This requirement applies to all incorporations and amalgamations for Alberta corporations and all extra-provincial corporations continued into Alberta on or after March 29, 2021. (Reference: Alberta.ca)
An agent for service is an individual located in Alberta who can accept notices and documents in person or by mail on behalf of the corporation.
The agent for service does not need to be a lawyer.
You will need to supply:
- The name, firm name (if applicable), street address or legal land description, mailing address, email address and appointment date for the agent for service.
- You can also appoint an alternative agent for service. The same details are needed.
- Agents for service and alternative agents for service must be part of the same firm but may be located at different addresses within Alberta.
Step 6. Submit your application package
Submit your application using the following link:
We can send you all your articles of incorporation within the selected timeframe during the application process.