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INCORPORATE IN Nova Scotia TODAY

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Only $99 + Government Fee

We’re an official intermediary for the Province of Nova Scotia.

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Nova Scotia Incorporation Packages

General Information Required to

Register a Corporation in Nova Scotia

Standard Corporation

Corporation Type:

Named Corporation requires a proposed name to be registered. Legal suffixes allowed for limited corporations are :Limited, Limitée, Ltd, Ltée, Incorporated, Incorporée, Inc.
Numbered Corporation standard legal suffix is “Limited” after the number issued by Govt.

Director Information:

Director’s name and physical address is required. Addresses can be from anywhere in the world.
No residency requirement for the director.
Minimum 1 director is required.

Shareholder Information:

Shareholders are automatically added as directors and officers of the corporation. If Shareholders are not directors then a consent to act as a director is required. The number of shares for each shareholder is filed in the government system.

Recognized Agent:

If the director or shareholder’s address is outside Nova Scotia a recognized agent from Nova Scotia with local address has to be appointed to receive any government communication.

Notary Requirement:

Notarization of documents(Statutory Declaration) is required by local notary or commissioner of oath before submitting the final documents to the government.

Address Requirements:

Registered Address must be a physical address in Nova Scotia.
Mailing Address can be a PO Box address from anywhere in the world.

Name Approval:

A distinctive and descriptive word is required to fulfill the name requirement.
Proposed names may be in English, French, or both.
Names must not be misleading or imply government affiliation.
Use of certain words like “Bank,” “Trust,” “Insurance,” “Co-operative,” or professional designations (e.g., “Engineer,” “Lawyer”) requires special permission or regulatory approval.

Business Activity:

The purpose or activities of the business is required in a few words.(Ex: Clothing Store)
NAICS code is not mandatory but can be used for categorization purposes.

Incorporation Date:

The government allows current or future dates up to 2months. Past date is not allowed.

Annual Compliance:

Annual returns for every corporation must be filed with the registry every year to keep the company in good standing.

Need To Know

Key Requirements of Nova Scotia Incorporation

Nova Scotia standard corporation must have at least 1 director, who is above the age of 18. There is no Canadian residency requirement.
Must have a registered office address in Nova Scotia (a physical address, no P.O. boxes)
You must follow naming rules when incorporating a Nova Scotia corporation. The chosen name should have two elements: distinctive and descriptive, plus the legal suffix, like “Inc.”, “Corp”, or “Ltd.”.( Example: Mike’s Bakery Inc.). Nova Scotia NUANS reportis required to confirm the name availability and complete the registration. (although it is not a mandatory)
During the Nova Scotia incorporation the directors must provide the signed consent form, confirming they agree to serve as directors. (these forms might need a notarization)
Get the Corporate Minute Book. It consists of bylaws, share structure, minutes and other legal sections. Without it a corporation is not complete.
After incorporation, you must obtain a Business Number from the Canada Revenue Agency. You will need it to register a Corporate Income Tax Account, GST/HST Accounts, Payroll Account, Import/Export Accounts, and other
File the Annual Return each year to stay compliant with the government

Secure Your Business Name

Nova Scotia Name Approval Process

To incorporate a named corporation in Nova Scotia you will need to get your company’s name approved first. There are a number of rules you need to follow, when applying for a name approval in Nova Scotia:

The company name should include a distinctive element (example: “MapleLeaf”) and descriptive element (example: “Consulting”).
The company name should include the legal ending: “Limited”, “Ltd.”, “Incorporated”, “Inc.”, “Corporation”, or “Corp.” Example: “MapleLeaf Consulting Inc.”
Your company name should be unique in the province of Nova Scotia, not similar to any other existing company names and trademarks, and should not be misleading.
Words like “University,” “Bank,” or “Trust” require special approval.
You can’t use words like “Nova Scotia”, “NS”, and “Canada” in your company’s name.
The name cannot suggest government or Crown affiliation, include offensive language or mislead about the nature of the business.
If you want to use your personal name, a written consent form is required.
The name approval usually takes 3 to 5 days.
Once approved, your name is reserved for 90 days. If not used within that period, it must be re-reserved.

Start Your Incorporation Now

Just 3 Simple Steps

Fill out the online form

Kick things off by completing our easy step-by-step form. You can place your order using a credit card, PayPal, or e-transfer—whichever is most convenient.

We handle the filing

Once your payment is confirmed, our experienced registry agent reviews everything and files your documents with the appropriate Ontario government office. No need to worry about red tape or delays.

Receive your incorporation documents

Incorporating a business in Nova Scotia doesn’t have to be complicated. You’ll receive your official Certificate and Articles of Incorporation right in your inbox—often in just a few business hours.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Get your Name Approval fast in Nova Scotia! We will help to choose the best name for your company!"

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I incorporate in Nova Scotia?

Incorporating in Nova Scotia starts with choosing your business name and structure. You’ll need to prepare Articles of Incorporation and, for named companies, order a NUANS report. From there, you can file everything online or through a registered filing service for quicker processing.

How quickly can I incorporate a business in Nova Scotia?

For a numbered company, online filings can be processed within 1 business day. Named company will take longer as Name approval in Nova Scotia takes 3-5 business days.

How long does it take to incorporate in Nova Scotia?

In most cases, incorporating a business in Nova Scotia online takes up to a few business days(numbered company incorporation). If you choose a named company, it will take longer, as only getting a name approval in Nova Scotia takes from 3 to 5 business days.

Can I incorporate in Nova Scotia online?

Yes, you can incorporate in Nova Scotia online through the Registry of Joint Stock Companies website or via authorized service providers like Canada Incorporation Agency.

Do I need a lawyer to incorporate in Nova Scotia?

Nope, it’s not required—but it can be helpful, especially if you have complex ownership structures, shareholders, or want advice on bylaws. Many people choose to use incorporation services instead (like us!) to make things easier.

What’s the difference between provincial and federal incorporation?

Provincial incorporation in Nova Scotia lets you operate within the province, while federal incorporation gives you the right to operate across all of Canada—but you’ll still need to register in each province you do business in. Federal is for the big dreamers; provincial is perfect for keeping it local.

What kind of address do I need?

You must have a physical address in Nova Scotia—no P.O. Boxes allowed. If you don’t live there, you can appoint an agent for service who does. If you don’t have a physical address, Canada Incorporation Agency will provide you with registered office address and the mail scanong service.

Can a non-resident incorporate in Nova Scotia?

Yes! There are no Canadian residency requirements for directors in Nova Scotia (unlike some other provinces). That makes Nova Scotia an attractive choice for international entrepreneurs.

What documents do I need?

A proposed name (or you can go for a numbered company); articles of incorporation; a physical address in Nova Scotia; names and addresses of your directors and incorporators.

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