Under the Business Names Act of Ontario, the following business types must register:

  • sole proprietorships (one owner) carrying on business under a name other than the individual’s full name
  • partnerships carrying on business under a firm name other than the full names of the partners
  • corporations carrying on business under a name other than their corporate name
  • an existing general partnership or limited partnership registering a business name different from the registered firm name
  • limited liability partnerships
  • extra-provincial limited liability partnerships; and
  • extra-provincial limited liability companies