INCORPORATION FORM

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the distinctive element in a company name?
• A: The distinctive element of a corporate name is the element of a name that sets you apart from other similar businesses (e.g. Starbucks Coffee Shop). "Coffee Shop" does not distinguish itself in any way from other businesses in that industry, whereas "Starbucks" does and is considered the distinctive element. Made-up words are acceptable as distinctive elements, provided they do not conflict with others already registered.
• Q: What is the descriptive element in a company name?
• A: The descriptive element of a corporate name is the part of the name that indicates the nature of the business of the company (e.g. Starbucks Coffee Shop). The descriptive element can be specific such as "Coffee Shop", or it can be more general, such as "Enterprises" or "Ventures".
• Q: Can I have more than one word for the distinctive element?
• A: Yes
• Q: Can I have more than one word for the descriptive element?
• A: Yes
• Q: Do I need to have both a distinctive and a descriptive element in my company name?
• A: All company names are required to have a distinctive element. Although it is a common practice for company names to be comprised of both a distinctive and a descriptive element, the descriptive element is only a required by certain provinces such as British Columbia.
• Q: What is the corporate designation?
• A: Incorporated companies must have as the last word in the name, the corporate designation, "Limited", "Limitee", "Incorporated", "Incorporee" or "Corporation". For all purposes using the abbreviations of these words (i.e. "Ltd.", "Ltee.", "Inc." or "Corp.") is also acceptable.
• Q: What is a numbered name?
• A: A numbered name is the incorporation number (seven digits) generated by the Corporate Registrar followed by the province of incorporation and a corporate designation (e.g., 0999666 B.C. Ltd. or 12459756 Alberta Ltd.). You cannot choose your incorporation number. It will be assigned by the Corporate Registrar when the incorporation application is filed.
• Q: What is the difference between a distinctive name and a numbered name?
• A: There is no legal difference between a distinctive name and a numbered name.
• Q: Are there any words that cannot be used in a company's name?
• A: Yes there are words and symbols that will not be approved by the Corporate Registrar if used in a company name.
  
  All punctuation marks displayed on a standard 101/102 keyboard are acceptable; however, a punctuation mark cannot be the first character of a name. Other symbols and characters not found on a standard keyboard will not be approved.
  
  Well-known names and trademarks will not be approved (e.g. Starbucks Tea Room Inc.). A name that closely resembles or is identical to another company name will not be approved.
  
  Any word that implies a connection with the government will not be approved without the written consent from the government (e.g. "government", "ministry", "bureau"). Any words that suggest a connection to the Royal family will be denied (e.g. Prince William Shoe Shop Inc.).
  
  In the Province of British Columbia, the use of "British Columbia" or "B.C." at the beginning of a name as the distinctive element (e.g. British Columbia Incorporations Inc.) will not be approved without the written consent from the government. The use of "British Columbia" or "B.C." at the end of the name before the corporate designation (e.g. Snap Incorporation BC Ltd.) will normally be accepted.
  
  The Corporate Registrar will not approve any names that contain words that could be considered vulgar, obscene, racial or sexual slurs.
  
  Finally, there are restrictions on the use of certain words surrounding professionals including but not limited to the use of the words "engineering", "dental corporation" and "law corporation". Approval of names using these terms is often dependent upon receiving written consent from the governing bodies for such professionals.
• Q: Can I use the same name as another company?
• A: No, a company name cannot be the same or similar to another registered company name in the jurisdiction where the company is to be incorporated.
• Q: Is my company name protected against other businesses using it?
• A: Once your company’s name has been reserved, other companies will be prevented from registering the name in the corresponding jurisdiction. While this does ensure that other companies cannot register the name, it does not necessarily protect against other companies or businesses using the name. Please email our office at [email protected] for more information.
• Q: If I decide on a numbered name, can I choose a distinctive name later on?
• A: Yes, a company can change its name at any time, but this is a technical process requiring compliance with the Business Corporations Act and related filings with the Corporate Registrar. Please email our office at [email protected] for more information.
• Q: Can I change my company's name at a later date?
• A: Yes, a company can change its name at any time, but this is a technical process requiring compliance with the Business Corporations Act and related filings with the Corporate Registrar. Please email our office at [email protected] for more information.
• Q: How can I tell if my proposed company name is available?
• A: There is no definitive way to determine if a company name is available short of submitting a name reservation request in the corresponding jurisdiction. A search engine search and search of the Canadian Trademarks Registry may be useful to determine if other businesses are currently using the name.
• Q: How long does it take to reserve a Company's name?
• A: Processing times for name reservation requests can vary. Please email our office at [email protected] for more information.
• Q: Can I expedite a name request?
• A: Yes, a name reservation request can be expedited for an additional fee that is determined by the corresponding Corporate Registrar. You may select the option of priority service to expedite your name reservation when you complete the Snap Incorporations online form. Please refer to the Pricing page on our website to view the applicable additional fee for priority service on your name reservation request.