The Ontario Business Registry is a free, public database where you can look up any registered business operating in Ontario. Search by business name or registration number on the Service Ontario website, and you’ll get details about the business’s legal structure, ownership, and registration status. It takes 60 seconds and no fee.
What is the Ontario Business Registry?
The Ontario Business Registry is Ontario’s public record of all registered business names and sole proprietorships operating in the province. It’s maintained by Service Ontario and it’s free to search.
Here’s what matters: if a business is registered in Ontario, it shows up here. This includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. You can access it online anytime, from any device, in seconds.
This is different from the federal Corporations database (which lists federally incorporated companies). A business can be registered at the provincial level, the federal level, or both. We’ll cover that later.
How to Search the Ontario Business Registry
Finding the registry itself
Go to ontario.ca and search for “Ontario Business Registry” or “Business Registry Search.” Service Ontario maintains this tool directly on their website, and it’s the only official source. Don’t use third-party services that claim to search the registry—they’re unnecessary and charge fees for free information.
The actual search process
- Visit the Service Ontario Business Registry search page
- Enter either the business name or the registration number
- Click “Search”
- Results appear instantly
That’s it. No login required. No fee.
What if the business name is common?
If you search for “John’s Plumbing” and 47 results pop up, look for details like city, registration date, or owner name. The more specific your search, the faster you’ll find what you need. If the name is very generic (like “ABC Services”), search by registration number instead if you have it.
Understanding Your Search Results
When you run a search, you get a results list. Each entry shows:
- Business name (exactly as registered)
- Registration number (the province’s unique ID)
- Registration date
- Dissolution date (if the business is closed)
- County or region where it’s registered
Click on any result and you’ll see the detailed record, which includes:
- Owner or proprietor name
- Mailing address
- Any assumed/trade names (if the business operates under a different name)
- Legal structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.)
- Whether it’s active or dissolved
The key number is the registration number. Use this if you need to reference the business in a legal document, contract, or dispute. It’s Ontario’s way of saying “this specific entity.”
What “Active” and “Dissolved” mean
Active means the business is currently registered and in good standing. Dissolved means it’s closed or the registration has been cancelled. A dissolved business is no longer legally operating, though the record stays in the system (usually for 10 years) for historical purposes.
Don’t confuse the registry status with whether a business is actually operating out of a storefront. A business can be registered but not currently trading. The registry just tells you the legal status—not whether they’re actually open for business today.
What Information Can You Actually Find?
Let’s be clear about what this registry does and doesn’t contain.
You will find:
- Business name and any trade names
- Owner information (proprietor or partner names)
- Registration date
- Mailing address
- Registration number
- Dissolution status (if applicable)
You will NOT find:
- Financial records
- Tax history
- Whether the business is in good standing with the CRA
- Employee count
- Revenue figures
- Business phone number or website
- Whether they have complaints or lawsuits against them
If you need any of that second list, you’ll need to check elsewhere (CRA’s business registry, court records, etc.).
| What You Can Find | Where to Look | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Business registration status, owner name | Ontario Business Registry (Service Ontario) | Free |
| Federal corporate status | Corporations Canada database | Free |
| Business tax account status | CRA’s Business registry | Free |
| Complaints or regulatory issues | Industry-specific regulators | Varies |
| Financial information | Annual reports (if public company) | Free or subscription |
When You’ll Actually Need to Search the Registry
You’re vetting a business partner or contractor
Before you hire a plumber, handyperson, or contractor, search their name. You want to confirm they’re actually registered and that the registration is active. This is basic due diligence, especially for larger contracts.
You’re checking if a business name is available
Before you register your own business name in Ontario, you should search to make sure it’s not already taken. (You’ll also need to search federally if you’re incorporating federally, and you might want to check trademark databases—but that’s a separate step.)
You’re researching a company you’re about to do business with
Is this business actually registered? Is it still active? Who owns it according to the public record? These are fair questions before you sign a contract.
You’re settling a dispute or validating a claim
If someone claims to own a business or says they’re a registered proprietor, you can check it in the registry. It’s public record.
You received an invoice from a business
Occasionally, you’ll get an invoice from a business and want to verify it’s real and registered. A quick search confirms this. It’s especially useful if you’re about to pay a large amount.
The Most Common Mistakes People Make
Mistake 1: Confusing provincial and federal registration
Ontario’s registry tracks provincial registrations. But some businesses are incorporated federally (under the Canada Business Corporations Act) instead of provincially. They won’t show up in the Ontario registry. You need to check the Corporations Canada database separately for those. Many businesses are registered both ways.
Mistake 2: Assuming an active registration means a trustworthy business
A business can be registered and also have a history of complaints, lawsuits, or regulatory violations. The registry only shows registration status—not character or competence. Always do additional research if the stakes are high.
Mistake 3: Thinking the mailing address is the business address
The registry shows a mailing address, but that might be a lawyer’s office, a accountant’s office, or a home address. The mailing address on file isn’t necessarily where the business operates. This matters if you’re trying to physically visit them.
Mistake 4: Searching the wrong database
Some people search the provincial registry when they should search federal (Corporations Canada) or vice versa. If your first search finds nothing, try the other database. Both exist. Both are free.
Mistake 5: Assuming a name hasn’t been registered just because you didn’t find it
If you’re searching before registering your own business name, search carefully. Use partial name searches and variations. A search that comes back empty doesn’t guarantee the name is available—it might be registered under a slightly different spelling or as a trade name under another business.
How to Verify a Business’s Real Legal Status
The registry shows registration status, but you should also verify tax compliance.
Step 1: Check the Business registry
Search the CRA’s Business registry. This shows whether a business has a valid GST/HST account or has filed corporate tax returns. It’s a different database from the Ontario Business Registry.
Step 2: Look for complaints
Depending on the industry, check with the relevant regulator:
- Contractors: Ontario Construction Secretariat or local municipal licensing
- Financial advisors: IIROC or provincial regulators
- Trades: Red Seal registry or provincial trade boards
Step 3: Check the property assessment roll (if relevant)
If the business operates from a physical location, you can check Ontario’s municipal property records to see who the property owner is. This is public information in most municipalities.
Together, these steps give you a much fuller picture than the registry alone.
What the Registry Doesn’t Tell You
This is important. The Ontario Business Registry is useful for confirming registration status and basic ownership, but it’s not a full due diligence report.
It doesn’t tell you:
- Whether the owner has personal or business debt
- Whether they’ve been sued or have court judgments against them
- Whether they’re current on CRA payments or have tax liens
- Whether they have employment standards violations
- Whether their business license has been suspended or revoked
- Their credit history or payment track record with other businesses
For contracts over $10,000, you want more than a registry search. Run a credit check on the business, ask for references from past clients, and verify their GST number with the CRA if they’re a contractor.
For smaller transactions or just vetting a casual service provider, the registry search is fine as a starting point.
FAQ
Q: Is the Ontario Business Registry the same as incorporating a business?
A: No. Registration and incorporation are different. You can register a business name (as a sole proprietor or partnership) or incorporate it (which creates a separate legal entity). Some businesses do both. The registry covers registered names; incorporation is tracked separately through Corporations Canada (federal) or through Ontario’s corporate registry.
Q: Can I search by address?
A: The Service Ontario Business Registry doesn’t have an address search feature. You can search by business name or registration number only. If you need to find all businesses at a specific address, you might need to contact Service Ontario directly or check municipal business licensing records.
Q: What if I find someone using my business name in the registry?
A: If they registered it first, that name is taken. You’ll need to choose a different one or pursue legal action if you believe they’re infringing a trademark you own (which is separate from business registration). Contact a lawyer specializing in intellectual property for trademark conflicts.
Q: How often is the registry updated?
A: Service Ontario updates the registry regularly, but there can be a lag of several days between when a business is registered and when it appears online. If you just registered and don’t see yourself yet, wait a few business days and search again.
Q: If a business is “dissolved,” can I register the same name?
A: Not immediately. There’s usually a holding period (typically 10 years) before a dissolved name becomes available. Check with Service Ontario or a business lawyer if you want to use a similar name to a dissolved business.
Conclusion
The Ontario Business Registry is a free, fast way to confirm a business’s registration status and basic ownership details. Use it before hiring contractors, vetting partners, or checking if a business name is taken. It’s reliable for what it does—confirming that a business is legally registered in Ontario.
But remember: registration status isn’t a guarantee of trustworthiness or quality. For high-stakes decisions, combine this registry search with CRA verification, credit checks, and reference calls. For routine searches, the registry alone is enough. Spend 60 seconds searching. It costs nothing and protects you from unregistered or dissolved businesses.
Start your search today: go to ontario.ca, find the Business Registry search tool, and run a search. You’ll have your answer before you finish your coffee.
Last updated: June 2026. Business registration processes and online tools change. Verify current procedures and access information directly on ontario.ca and the Service Ontario website before registering or searching.