Register a Company in Alberta
To register a company in Alberta you choose the corporation type, settle the name, and file Articles of Incorporation through a registry agent. This page compares all eight types we register, with the price for each, so you can start the right one today.
Alberta Company Registration Made Simple With ACS
ACS is a private company. Our CORES-trained agents prepare your filing and submit it through a licensed Alberta registry agent; we are not a government office or a registry agent. Every Alberta corporation needs a name, at least one director aged 18 or over, a physical Alberta registered office and an agent for service who is an individual located in Alberta. There has been no Canadian-residency requirement for directors since March 29, 2021.
A named 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 filed. A numbered company needs no NUANS. A trained person checks every package before it is filed, and complete orders received before 3:00 pm MT are filed the same business day. This hub is part of our online business registration in Alberta catalogue.
Ways to register a company in Alberta, compared
The table covers the types of corporations in Alberta that we register. Regulator times are listed separately from our same-day filing.
| Type | Best for | Who may own it | Price | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta corporation | One business operating mainly in Alberta | Any person or company; directors 18+, no residency rule | From $498 + GST | Same business day |
| Federal corporation | Owners who want a Corporations Canada incorporation, then Alberta registration | Any person or company | From $996 + GST | |
| Professional corporation | Physicians, dentists, lawyers, CPAs and other regulated professionals | Voting shares held by licensed members only | From $1,494 + GST | Same business day after regulator approval |
| Personal real estate corporation | Real estate associates regulated by RECA | From $498 + GST | ||
| Alberta ULC | U.S. investors who need an Alberta hybrid entity | Shareholders who accept unlimited liability | From $498 + GST | Same business day |
| Alberta co-operative | Three or more people who own and use the business together | Its members | From $996 + GST | |
| Holding company | Owners who want a corporation to hold shares or assets | Any person or company | From $498 + GST | Same business day |
| Shelf corporation | Buyers who need a corporation that already exists | Transferred to you on purchase | From $623 + GST | Same business day |
Standard Alberta corporations
Alberta Corporation
Incorporate an Alberta corporation →For founders who will operate mainly in Alberta: named or numbered, one director or more, filed today. From $498 + GST.
Holding Company
Set up a holding company →For owners who want a corporation to hold shares, property or investments rather than run operations; whether it saves tax is a question for your CPA. From $498 + GST.
Shelf Corporation
Buy a shelf corporation →For buyers who need an Alberta corporation that already exists today, with the records transferred to you. From $623 + GST.
Federal Corporation
Register a federal corporation →For owners who want to incorporate a company with Corporations Canada; it must then register extra-provincially in Alberta, with no NUANS needed for that step. From $996 + GST.
Corporations for regulated professionals
Alberta Professional Corporation
Set up a professional corporation →For physicians (CPSA), dentists (CDSA), lawyers (Law Society of Alberta) and CPAs (CPA Alberta); voting shares stay with licensed members and the regulator's approval comes in the order your profession requires. From $1,494 + GST.
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Register a PREC →For real estate associates regulated by the Real Estate Council of Alberta. From $498 + GST.
Special-purpose structures
Alberta ULC
Form an Alberta ULC →For U.S. investors who need an unlimited liability corporation; shareholders are jointly and severally liable for its obligations. From $498 + GST.
Alberta Co-operative
Incorporate a co-operative →For three or more incorporators under the Cooperatives Act; bylaws are filed within 180 days of the Certificate of Incorporation. From $996 + GST.
Not sure which one?
- If you will run one business mainly in Alberta, incorporate an Alberta corporation; add a trade name later if you want a second brand.
- If you want federal incorporation, budget for two filings: Corporations Canada first, then Alberta extra-provincial registration.
- If you hold a professional licence and your accountant recommended incorporating, choose a professional corporation; engineers instead incorporate an ordinary Alberta corporation and apply to APEGA for a Permit to Practice.
- If you are a licensed real estate associate, start on the PREC page.
- If a U.S. parent or investor asked for a ULC, that is a specific request; otherwise you most likely want a standard Alberta corporation.
- If three or more people will own and use the business together, consider a co-operative.
- If you need a company with an existing incorporation date today, buy a shelf corporation.
FAQs
Should I incorporate an Alberta corporation or a federal corporation?
If you will operate mainly in Alberta, an Alberta corporation is one filing with Alberta Corporate Registry, filed the same business day. A federal corporation is incorporated with Corporations Canada and must then register extra-provincially in Alberta before carrying on business here, so it is two filings; the Alberta step needs no NUANS report for a federal corporation.
What is a numbered company?
A numbered company is an Alberta corporation whose legal name is a number assigned by Corporate Registry plus the word Alberta and a legal element, for example 1234567 Alberta Ltd. It needs no Alberta NUANS report, and it can still trade under a registered trade name.
Who can register a professional corporation in Alberta?
Only members of professions whose governing Act allows it, such as physicians (CPSA), dentists (CDSA), lawyers (Law Society of Alberta) and Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA Alberta). Voting shares must be held by licensed members, non-voting shares go to family only where the profession's rules allow, and the regulator's permit or approval is required.
What is an unlimited liability corporation used for?
An Alberta ULC is mainly used by U.S. investors as a hybrid entity that is a corporation in Canada but can be treated differently for U.S. tax purposes. Its shareholders have unlimited, joint and several liability for the corporation's obligations, so it is chosen on the advice of the investor's own tax and legal advisors.
Start your Alberta company today: choose a type above and see the total price before you begin. Questions? Call (403) XXX-XXXX (Mon–Fri 8:00–6:00 MT).