Name & Records Search
An Alberta corporate records search answers three questions: is this name available, is this corporation in good standing, and what has it filed. Every product below is pulled from the live Alberta Corporate Registry record by our CORES-trained agents and emailed to you, most the same business day.
Alberta Corporate Records Search Made Simple With ACS
ACS is a private company. We are not a government office or a registry agent. Business owners cannot run an Alberta corporate registry search in CORES, Alberta's Corporate Registry System, themselves, so our CORES-trained agents run each search and order each document through a licensed Alberta registry agent.
This hub covers the three groups of search products: name searches that check and reserve a corporate name before you incorporate, business searches that confirm a corporation's status and details, and copies of documents already on file. Every price is shown upfront before you order. If you only need to know whether a corporation exists, start with the free lookup.
Name Search and Reservation
A named Alberta corporation needs an Alberta NUANS report, a name search that reserves the name for 90 days and must be less than 91 days old when the articles are filed. A numbered company needs no NUANS report. Compare both products on the Alberta name search hub.
Alberta NUANS Report
Order an Alberta NUANS report →For founders incorporating a named Alberta corporation, society or co-operative, and for out-of-province corporations registering in Alberta. Reserves the name for 90 days. From $68 + GST.
Name Pre-Search
Run a name pre-search →For anyone still testing name ideas; it checks a proposed name against existing records before you pay for a NUANS report, but does not reserve the name. From $68 + GST.
Business Search and Summary
Use these when you need to confirm an Alberta corporation's status before signing a contract, opening an account, lending money or buying a business. Details are on the Alberta business search hub.
Free Corporate Lookup
Search a corporation →For a quick check that a corporation exists and its status from the latest public notice, by name or corporate access number. Free.
Certificate of Status
Order a certificate of status →For lenders, lawyers and other registries that need Corporate Registry's proof of a corporation's current status, also called a certificate of good standing. From $68 + GST.
Corporate Profile Report
Order a corporate profile report →For banks, buyers and advisors who need the full current record: legal name, corporate access number, status, addresses and directors. From $68 + GST.
Copies of Business Documents
Copies replace corporate documents in Alberta that were lost or never received, and certified copies satisfy banks, lawyers and other provinces' registries. See the copies of business documents hub.
Certificate and Articles
Order a copy of your certificate and articles →For corporations that need a plain or certified copy of their Certificate of Incorporation and Articles. From $68 + GST.
Registration Statement Copy
Order a registration statement copy →For sole proprietorships, trade names and partnerships that need a copy of their Partnership Act registration. From $68 + GST.
Copy of Last Annual Return
Order a copy of the last annual return →For owners and advisors who need the last annual return filed, which confirms the directors, addresses and top five shareholders reported to Corporate Registry. From $68 + GST.
Not sure which one?
- If you are choosing a name for a new corporation, run a name pre-search on your shortlist, then order the NUANS report once you have settled on one.
- If you are incorporating a numbered company, you need no name search at all.
- If you only want to know whether a company exists and is active, use the free lookup.
- If a bank, lawyer or another registry asked for proof of status, order the document they named: a certificate of status for proof the corporation is in good standing, a corporate profile report for the full record.
- If you have lost your articles, or a lender or another province wants a certified copy, order copies.
- If your business is a trade name or partnership rather than a corporation, the registration statement copy is the document on file.
- Still unsure? Call (403) XXX-XXXX and a person will tell you which product you need in a few minutes.
FAQs
Is there a free Alberta corporate search?
Yes. Our free corporate lookup checks the live Alberta Corporate Registry record for any corporation by name or corporate access number and shows the basic details at no charge. When you need proof for a bank, a lawyer or another registry, order a corporate profile report or a certificate of status, which are documents issued by Corporate Registry.
What is the difference between a NUANS report and a name pre-search?
An Alberta NUANS report is the name search Corporate Registry requires for a named corporation; it reserves the name for 90 days and must be less than 91 days old when you file. A name pre-search is a quick check of a proposed name against existing records so you can test ideas first; it does not reserve anything.
Which document does my bank need — a certificate of status or a profile report?
Ask the bank, because the request usually names the document. A certificate of status is Corporate Registry's proof that the corporation exists and is in good standing today; a corporate profile report is the registry's full current record, including directors and addresses. If the request asks who the directors are, order the profile report; if it only asks for proof of status, order the certificate.
Pick the search or document you need above and see the total price before you start. Questions? Call (403) XXX-XXXX (Mon–Fri 8:00–6:00 MT).