Register a Business Name Online in Alberta
To register a business name in Alberta, you record who is behind the name under the Partnership Act; it takes a few minutes online and we file it the same business day. This page compares the five registrations we offer, with the price for each, so you can start the right one today.
Alberta Business Registration Made Simple With ACS
A business name registration is not a corporation. It tells the registry which person, people or company stands behind a name; it does not protect that name from use by others. Alberta requires it when an individual does business under a name other than their own personal name, or when a corporation does business under a name other than its legal name.
Each price is one total, with the government fee, consultation, preparation and filing included, shown before you start. You upload valid ID, a trained person checks the registration, and our CORES-trained agents submit it through a licensed Alberta registry agent; complete orders received before 3:00 pm MT are filed the same business day. An Alberta NUANS report is optional but recommended, and there is no periodic renewal in Alberta. This hub is part of our online business registration in Alberta catalogue.
Five ways to register a business name in Alberta
| Registration | Best for | Price | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | One person trading under a business name | From $86 + GST | Same business day |
| Trade name | A corporation, or an individual, using a second name | From $86 + GST | Same business day |
| General partnership | Two or more people or companies in business together | From $98 + GST | Same business day |
| Limited partnership | General partners who run it plus limited partners who invest | From $98 + GST | Same business day |
| Limited liability partnership | Partnerships that qualify for LLP status | From $98 + GST | Same business day |
Sole proprietorships and trade names
Sole Proprietorship
Register a sole proprietorship →For one person who wants the simplest way to register a small business in Alberta under a name other than their own. From $86 + GST.
Trade Name
Register a trade name →For a corporation that does business under a name other than its legal name, or an individual adding a second business name. From $86 + GST.
Partnerships
General Partnership
Register a general partnership →For two or more people or companies running a business together without incorporating. From $98 + GST.
Limited Partnership
Register a limited partnership →For a business with one or more general partners who manage it and limited partners who contribute money. From $98 + GST.
Limited Liability Partnership
Register an LLP →For partnerships that qualify for LLP status in Alberta. From $98 + GST.
Not sure which one?
- If you work alone and use your own personal name, Alberta does not require a business name registration; register a sole proprietorship once you trade under any other name.
- If you already have a corporation and want a second brand, register a trade name linked to it.
- If two or more of you share the business and its decisions, register a general partnership.
- If some partners only invest and will not manage, register a limited partnership.
- If your partnership qualifies for LLP status, register an LLP; otherwise choose the general or limited form.
- Trade name vs corporation in Alberta: if you want a separate legal entity with its own shares and directors, incorporate an Alberta corporation instead.
- Still unsure? Call (403) XXX-XXXX and we will sort it out in a few minutes.
FAQs
Is registering a trade name the same as incorporating?
No. A trade name registration under the Partnership Act records that you do business under that name; it does not create a corporation and it does not protect the name. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity under the Business Corporations Act, with its own name reserved through an Alberta NUANS report.
Do I need a NUANS report to register a business name in Alberta?
No. For trade names and partnerships an Alberta NUANS or Business Name Report is recommended but not mandatory. Because registration does not protect the name, a NUANS search is the only way to reduce the risk that someone else already uses it.
Does an Alberta trade name or partnership registration expire?
No. Alberta trade name and partnership registrations have no periodic renewal. Changes to the registration and cancellations are filed through a registry agent when your details change.
Can a corporation register a trade name?
Yes. A corporation must register a trade name when it does business under a name other than its legal name, and a numbered company often registers one so it can trade under a readable brand. The trade name is linked to the corporation on the registry.
Start your Alberta business registration now: pick a registration above and see the total price before you begin. Questions? Call (403) XXX-XXXX (Mon–Fri 8:00–6:00 MT).