Name Search and Reservation
An Alberta name search tells you whether the name you want is available, and an Alberta NUANS report reserves it for 90 days so you can incorporate under it. Test ideas with a name pre-search first, then order the NUANS report once you are sure, and we check the name against Alberta's naming rules before either one runs.
Alberta Name Search Made Simple With ACS
ACS is a private company. We are not a government office or a registry agent. You order online, our CORES-trained agents review the name and run the search, and the report is emailed to you, the same business day for orders received before 3:00 pm MT.
Business name availability in Alberta comes down to three parts. A corporate name has a distinctive element (the part that is yours, such as "Bowline"), a descriptive element (what the business does, such as "Plumbing") and a legal element (Ltd., Limited, Inc., Incorporated, Corp. or Corporation). A numbered company, such as 1234567 Alberta Ltd., skips the name question entirely and needs no NUANS report.
This page is part of our Alberta corporate records search hub.
Reserve a Business Name in Alberta
Alberta NUANS Report
Order an Alberta NUANS report →For founders incorporating a named Alberta corporation, a society or a co-operative, and for out-of-province corporations registering in Alberta. Reserves the name for 90 days; must be less than 91 days old when filed. From $68 + GST.
Name Pre-Search
Run a name pre-search →For anyone still choosing between two or three names. It checks a proposed name against existing records before you commit to a NUANS report, but it does not reserve the name. From $68 + GST.
When is a NUANS report required in Alberta?
| Registration | NUANS report |
|---|---|
| Named Alberta corporation | Required; less than 91 days old when filed |
| Numbered Alberta corporation | Not required |
| Alberta society | Required; less than 91 days old |
| Alberta co-operative | Required; less than 91 days old |
| Trade name, sole proprietorship or partnership | Optional but recommended; registration does not protect the name |
| Out-of-province corporation registering in Alberta | Required; federal (CBCA) corporations are exempt |
| Reviving a corporation dissolved three or more years ago | Required |
A business name registration under the Partnership Act does not protect the name. A NUANS search before you register reduces the risk of a conflict with an existing name.
Not sure which one?
- If you have a shortlist, run a name pre-search on each name before spending more.
- If you have settled on a name and will incorporate within 90 days, order the NUANS report now.
- If you are incorporating a numbered company, skip both products and go straight to incorporating an Alberta corporation.
- If you are registering a trade name or partnership, the NUANS report is optional; order it if you want to lower the risk of a conflict.
- If your corporation already exists in another province and is registering in Alberta, you need an Alberta NUANS report unless it is a federal corporation. See extra-provincial registration.
- Still unsure? Call (403) XXX-XXXX and a person will check your name with you.
FAQs
Do I need a NUANS report for a numbered company?
No. A numbered Alberta company, such as 1234567 Alberta Ltd., needs no NUANS report. Only a corporation with a distinctive name needs one, and that report must be less than 91 days old when the Articles of Incorporation are filed.
How long does a NUANS reservation last?
An Alberta NUANS report reserves the name for 90 days, and the report must be less than 91 days old on the day you file. If you miss that window, a new report is needed before the filing can go in.
Can I check a name before paying for a NUANS report?
Yes. Use our free corporate lookup to see whether an identical name is already on the Alberta registry record, or order a name pre-search to test a proposed name against existing records. Neither reserves the name; only the NUANS report does that.
Start with a name pre-search or go straight to your Alberta NUANS report, and see the price before you order. Questions? Call (403) XXX-XXXX (Mon–Fri 8:00–6:00 MT).