Basic Package: Alberta Corporation

A Named Corporation is a corporation that has been registered with a unique corporate name chosen by its owners. This name is approved by the Government of Alberta and becomes the official legal name of the corporation. The use of a distinctive and meaningful name can be important for branding, marketing, and legal identity purposes, as it is the primary way the corporation is identified in the business world.

A Numbered Corporation is given a unique registration number by the Government of Alberta. This type of corporation is typically chosen when business owners have not yet decided on a name. Once registered, the owner can choose to assign a specific name to the corporation at a later time.

The Articles of Incorporation are the core document that establishes a corporation’s existence and includes key details about the company.

The Certificate of Incorporation is an official legal document issued by the government that acknowledges the formation of a corporation, establishing it as a distinct legal entity.

Bylaws are a set of rules and guidelines that govern the internal operations and management of a corporation. Established by the founders or directors, they provide a framework for how the corporation operates and makes decisions.
A Minute Book, also known as a corporate minute book or company records book, is a physical or digital collection of official documents and records related to the governance and activities of a corporation. The minute book typically contains important documents such as: Bylaws, Resolutions, Annual Reports, and more.

When you incorporate in the province of Alberta, your corporation will automatically be assigned a Business Number (BN) at no additional cost. This CRA Business Number provides access to a range of federal, provincial, and tax programs.

When you incorporate in the province of Alberta, your corporation will automatically be assigned a Corporation Income Tax Program account number, free of charge. This account is used to manage and report the corporation's income tax-related activities to the CRA.

A NUANS Report is necessary to verify the availability of a proposed corporate name. Before registering a corporation in Alberta, it's essential to confirm that the chosen name is unique and does not conflict with trademarks or the names of existing corporations. Since NUANS reports have an expiration date, it's important to incorporate your corporation within the specified time frame; otherwise, a new report may be required.

Business Activity: refers to the specific commercial, economic, or operational actions that a corporation undertakes as part of its regular operations. These activities encompass a broad range of transactions and actions that the corporation carries out to achieve its goals, generally with the aim of generating revenue and profits.

A Registered Office Address is the official address where a corporation is registered with the government. It is the location where legal documents, notices, and correspondence from government agencies, courts, and other official bodies are typically delivered. Only a physical address and legal land description can be used as a registered office address; UPS/Canada Post rental addresses and P.O. Boxes are not permitted.

A Legal Suffix, also known as a corporate suffix, is a designation or abbreviation added to the end of a business entity's name to indicate its legal structure and limited liability status. Common legal suffixes include: Incorporated, Limited, Corporation, Inc., Ltd., and Corp.

If you do not have an address in Alberta, you can purchase our Address Service to register your Alberta corporation. This service includes the mailing and scanning of government-issued documents that are received by us. Please note that by opting for this service, you are not renting this address for the operation of your business.

In Alberta, corporations are typically required to appoint an agent for service. This agent must have a physical address within the province where legal documents and official notices can be delivered.

Alberta's rules and regulations regarding business registrations require the submission of a valid Photo ID along with the application. Acceptable forms of Photo ID include a driver's license, passport, or permanent resident card.

To serve as a director of a corporation in Alberta, an individual must be of legal age and have the mental capacity to manage their affairs. In Alberta, the minimum legal age for directors is 18 years old.

On July 23, 2020, the Alberta government removed the director residency requirement. Previously, at least 25% of the directors of an Alberta corporation were required to be resident Canadians (either Canadian citizens or permanent residents).

Standard articles of incorporation, also referred to as "model articles" or "template articles," are documents that provide a basic framework for establishing a corporation. These articles serve as a starting point for individuals or organizations seeking to incorporate, outlining key details about the corporation's structure and operations.

Customized articles of incorporation are legally drafted documents that specify the details and provisions governing the creation and operation of a corporation. Unlike standard or model articles, which offer a generic framework, customized articles are tailored to address the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of the corporation and its founders.

Bylaws are a set of rules and regulations that govern the internal operations and management of a corporation. These are created by the founders or directors and serve as a framework for how the corporation conducts its business and makes decisions. A Minute Book, also known as a corporate minute book or company records book, is a physical or digital collection of official records and documents related to the governance and activities of the corporation. The minute book typically includes key documents such as bylaws, resolutions, annual reports, and more.

Share Class: refers to the distinct categories of shares that a company can issue, each with its own set of rights, benefits, and characteristics. These classes allow companies to offer varying levels of control, dividends, and other privileges to different groups of shareholders.

We suggest setting the initial share price at $1 for shares being issued. This is a common practice for newly incorporated companies.

Share number refers to the total amount of shares issued by a company that are available for ownership by investors.

A shareholder of a corporation is an individual or entity that owns one or more shares in the corporation. Shareholders can include individuals, other corporations, trusts, or other legal entities.

Officers of a corporation are individuals appointed or elected to hold key executive roles within the company. The specific positions and qualifications for officers can differ based on the corporation's bylaws, articles of incorporation, and the needs of the business. Common officer roles in a corporation include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and CEO. Each of these roles may have specific requirements depending on the regulations in Alberta.

You are required to register for a GST account if your business earns more than $30,000 in a single calendar year or if you make taxable sales, leases, or other supplies within Canada.

You must register for a payroll program account if you pay salaries, gratuities, bonuses, or allowances to your employees. This includes situations where you, as the business owner, are the only employee receiving a salary.

If you import goods into Canada or export goods to other countries, you are required to register for an import-export program account.

In many situations, you may be required to provide notarized incorporation documents to government body, financial institutions or regulatory body.

Alberta's business registration rules require that a valid Photo ID be submitted with the application. Acceptable forms of Photo ID include a driver's license, passport, or permanent resident card.