- Official NUANS Search Provider — Canada
Protect your business name before you incorporate. AMQ Legals provides official NUANS reports, pre-searches, corporate profile reports, and all government records — fast, accurate, and fully online.
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🔍 NUANS Report
Name Search Services
NUANS & Name Approval
A NUANS report is mandatory for all named corporations in Canada. AMQ Legals provides official reports, pre-searches, and government name approvals to protect your brand before you file.
- Required for Named Corps
NUANS Report
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report is a mandatory government name search required before incorporating a named corporation in Canada. It searches the national database to confirm your business name is unique and available for registration.
- Official search of the national NUANS database
- Identifies identical and similar existing names
- Valid for 90 days from date of issuance
- Required for provincial and federal incorporation
- Expert review and name guidance included
- Quick Availability Check
NUANS Pre-Search
Before committing to a NUANS report, a pre-search helps you quickly check if your preferred business name is likely available. It is a faster, lower-cost preliminary check against the NUANS database — ideal when you want to confirm feasibility before ordering the full official report.
- Quick preliminary check of name availability
- Saves time before ordering the full NUANS report
- Checks for similar or conflicting names
- Results typically same day
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- Federal Incorporation
Federal Name Pre-Approval
For federal incorporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act, your proposed company name must receive pre-approval from Corporations Canada before the Articles of Incorporation can be filed. AMQ Legals handles this submission and follow-up on your behalf.
- Submission to Corporations Canada
- Required prior to filing federal Articles
- Expert review of name compliance
- Guidance if name is rejected or flagged
- Name Compliance
Name Pre-Approval Report
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of your proposed business name against provincial and federal naming guidelines. Our legal team reviews your name for compliance with naming rules, prohibited terms, and distinctiveness requirements — before you invest in a full NUANS report.
- Detailed compliance assessment of your name
- Checks prohibited words and restricted terms
- Identifies potential conflicts before filing
- Alternative name suggestions if needed
Corporate Search & Reports
Verify a business name, retrieve official corporate documents, confirm a company’s status, or retrieve your company key. All searches are conducted against live government databases.
Corporate Profile Report
An official government document that provides details about a corporation — including registered name, address, directors, status, and key dates. Commonly required by financial institutions and business partners.
Corporate Search
Search the Ontario or federal business registry to confirm a company’s existence, retrieve its registration number, and verify its current standing. Available for all provinces.
Certificate & Articles
Obtain certified copies of a corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Incorporation directly from the government registry. Essential for banking, legal proceedings, and due diligence.
Certificate of Status
An official government certificate confirming that a corporation is active and in good standing. Often required when entering contracts, opening business bank accounts, or expanding to other jurisdictions.
Company Key Request
The company key is a secure PIN issued by the Ontario Business Registry required to file online changes. If you’ve lost your company key, AMQ Legals can request a new one from the registry on your behalf.
Business Name Rejection Appeal
If your proposed business name has been rejected by the registry, AMQ Legals can prepare and file a formal appeal with supporting justification and legal arguments to contest the rejection on your behalf.
Simple Process
Get Incorporated in 3 Easy Steps
No legal jargon, no unnecessary delays. Our streamlined process handles everything from name search to filing.
Browse our service catalogue and choose the right option. Each package is professionally structured for compliance and accuracy.
Our legal and paralegal team reviews your information, prepares all documents accurately, and submits your filings on your behalf.
Receive your official registration documents, certificates, and corporate records by email — ready to save, print, or share.
Understanding NUANS
The National Business Name Database
NUANS stands for Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search. It is the official federal system maintained by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that searches across all registered business names, trademarks, and corporate names across Canada.
When you want to incorporate a named corporation — as opposed to a numbered company — a NUANS report is mandatory by law before your Articles of Incorporation can be filed. The report ensures your chosen name does not conflict with any existing registered name or trademark.
A NUANS report is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If you don’t file your incorporation within that window, you’ll need a fresh report. AMQ Legals tracks this for you and keeps your registration on schedule.
Do Numbered Corporations Need a NUANS Report?
No. If you choose a numbered corporation (e.g., “1234567 Ontario Inc.”), no name search is required and incorporation can happen almost instantly. AMQ Legals includes the NUANS report free in all named corporation packages.
How the Process Works
Submit Your Proposed Name
Provide your desired business name and any alternate names. Our team reviews it for compliance with Canadian naming guidelines before running the search.
Official Database Search
We run an official NUANS search against the national database — covering all provincial registries, federal corporations, and registered trademarks across Canada.
Receive Your Report
Your official NUANS report is delivered by email, typically within 2–4 business hours. The report lists all similar names found and confirms whether your name is available for registration.
Proceed with Incorporation
With your NUANS report in hand and valid for 90 days, you can proceed to incorporate your business. AMQ Legals uses the report to file your Articles of Incorporation immediately.
Why Choose Us
2–4hr
Report Delivery
100%
Official Database
90
All
Jurisdictions Covered
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Official Government Access
We access the live NUANS database directly through authorized government channels — guaranteeing your report is official, current, and accepted by all registries across Canada.
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Fast Turnaround
Most NUANS reports and corporate searches are delivered within 2–4 business hours. We prioritize speed without compromising accuracy so you can move forward with confidence.
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Expert Name Guidance
If your name conflicts with an existing registration, our legal team provides expert advice on alternative names and strategies — helping you find a compliant name that protects your brand.
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Bundled with All Incorporation Packages
The NUANS report is included free in every AMQ Legals named corporation package. No need to order it separately — we handle it as part of your complete incorporation service.
Common Questions
What is a NUANS report?
A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report is an official Canadian business name search that compares your proposed business name against a database of existing corporations, business names, and trademarks across Canada. It’s generated by an authorized search house like AMQ Legals. It is required by the federal government and most provinces before you can incorporate a named business.
The 7-page report shows similar existing names so you (and the government registry) can verify your chosen name is distinctive enough to be approved. Without a NUANS report, your incorporation application will be rejected in jurisdictions that require it. At AMQ Legals, every NUANS report is $13.80, delivered to your inbox in 30 minutes, and reviewed by our team before submission.
Do I need a NUANS report for my province?
How long is a NUANS report valid?
What if my business name is rejected?
- Name conflicts with an existing business: This is the most common rejection reason and is exactly what the NUANS report is designed to flag in advance. If you skipped our preliminary search, this risk is higher.
- Distinctive element issues: The government may require you to add or strengthen the distinctive element of your name (e.g., “Acme” instead of just “Construction Ltd”)
- Restricted words: Names containing words like “Bank,” “Trust,” “University,” or “Royal” require special permissions.
What's the difference between a preliminary and full NUANS report?
Do I need a NUANS report for a numbered corporation?
When you should still get a named corporation
Ready to Incorporate Your Canadian Business?
Join thousands of entrepreneurs who chose AMQ Legals for fast, accurate, and fully compliant incorporation — across every province and territory in Canada.