- Ontario Business Registration — Unincorporated Business Structures
Master Business Licence
& Business Registration
Start your sole proprietorship, trade name, general partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership in Ontario. AMQ Legals registers your unincorporated business under the Master Business Licence — fast, accurately, and fully online.
💲 Affordable Pricing
🇨🇦 Ontario Business Registry
✅ Expert Legal Review
Starting from
Government filing fees included
👤 Sole Proprietorship
🏷️ Trade Name / DBA
🤝 General Partnership
📊 Limited Partnership
⚖️ Limited Liability Partnership
Unincorporated Business Structures
Choose Your Business Structure
All five structures are registered through the Ontario Business Registry under a Master Business Licence. Each has different ownership, liability, and operational characteristics — choose the one that fits your situation.
Sole Proprietorship
govt. fee included
- Registered under Ontario Business Registry (MBL)
- One owner — complete control over the business
- Operate under your own name or a trade name
- Simplest and most affordable structure to start
- All business income reported on personal tax return
- Valid for 5 years — renewal available
🏷️
Trade Name / DBA
govt. fee included
- Register a business name different from your legal name
- Use a brand name while operating as a sole proprietor
- Required for banks, invoicing, and client credibility
- Also available for corporations operating under a trade name
- Registered under Ontario Business Registry (MBL)
- Valid for 5 years — renewal available
General Partnership
Also known as: GP Registration
govt. fee included
- Two or more partners share ownership & management
- Each partner shares in profits, losses & liability
- Simple structure — no corporate formalities required
- Registered under Ontario Business Registry (MBL)
- Partner names and addresses registered
- Valid for 5 years — renewal available
Limited Partnership
govt. fee included
- At least one general partner & one limited partner
- Limited partners are passive investors — limited liability
- General partners manage the business & have full liability
- Ideal for real estate, investment, or project vehicles
- Registered under Ontario Business Registry
- Declaration of Limited Partnership filed
Limited Liability Partnership
Also known as: LLP Registration
govt. fee included
- Designed for professional firms (law, accounting, medicine)
- Each partner protected from other partners' malpractice liability
- All partners participate in management
- Available to eligible regulated professions in Ontario
- Registered under the Partnerships Act, Ontario
- Expert legal guidance on eligibility included
MBL Renewal
For existing MBL registrations
govt. fee included
- Renew your Master Business Licence before it expires
- MBL registrations expire every 5 years
- Applies to sole proprietorships, trade names & partnerships
- Extends your registration for another 5 years
- Prevents lapsing of your business name registration
- Confirmation delivered by email same day
Understanding the MBL
What Is a Master Business Licence?
Ontario's Unincorporated Business Registration
A Master Business Licence (MBL) is the official government registration document issued by the Ontario Business Registry for unincorporated businesses — including sole proprietorships, trade names, general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.
When you register a sole proprietorship or any other unincorporated business structure in Ontario, you receive a Master Business Licence as proof of registration. This document includes your business name, registration number, the names of the owners or partners, the registered business address, and the expiry date (valid for 5 years).
An MBL is not the same as a corporation. An unincorporated business under an MBL does not create a separate legal entity — the owner(s) are personally responsible for the business’s debts and obligations. If you want liability protection, a corporation may be more appropriate.
When Do You Need an MBL?
You need to register for an MBL in Ontario if you are operating a business under a name other than your full legal name, operating as a partnership, or if certain business licences, banking relationships, or contracts require proof of business registration. Registration with the Ontario Business Registry is mandatory for most unincorporated businesses operating in Ontario.
What You Need to Register
Requirements for an Ontario MBL registration
Business Name
Owner or Partner Information
Full legal names and addresses for all owners or partners. For sole proprietorships, just the owner. For partnerships, the names of all general partners are required.
Ontario Business Address
A physical address in Ontario where the business operates. AMQ Legals offers address services if you work from home and prefer not to use your personal address.
Business Activity Description
A brief description of the type of business activity you carry out and the applicable NAICS industry code. We help identify the right code for you.
Registration Commencement Date
The date from which you want the registration to be active — typically today’s date. We file on your chosen date.
Structure Comparison
Compare All Business Structures
Not sure which structure is right for you? Use this comparison to understand the key differences between all five unincorporated business types — and how they compare to a corporation.
| Feature | Sole Prop. | Trade Name | Gen. Partnership | Ltd. Partnership | LLP | Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of owners | 1 | 1+ | 2+ | 2+ (GP+LP) | 2+ | 1+ |
| Limited liability | — | — | — | LP only | Partial | ✓ |
| Separate legal entity | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Lower corporate tax rates | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Simple setup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Annual government filing | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ Required |
| Registration validity | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | Perpetual |
| Starting cost (AMQ Legals) | $149 | $149 | $149 | $149 | $149 | From $300 |
AMQ Legals vs DIY
More Than Just Filling in a Form
You can register through the government portal yourself — but errors, name issues, or wrong structure selections can delay your registration and cause problems with banks or suppliers. AMQ Legals handles everything correctly the first time.
Why Choose AMQ Legals
Trusted by Ontario Business Owners
The simplest way to
start your business in Ontario
$149
Same Day
Processing
5
Structure Types
100%
Legal Review
Same-Day Registration
Most MBL registrations are processed and filed with the Ontario Business Registry the same business day you submit your information. Your confirmation and registration documents are delivered to your email promptly.
🔍
Name Compliance Review
We review your proposed business name before filing to ensure it complies with Ontario’s naming rules — checking for prohibited terms, similar existing names, and other issues that could cause a rejection.
📅
Renewal Reminders Before Expiry
MBL registrations expire every 5 years. AMQ Legals tracks your registration date and sends renewal reminders so your business name and registration never lapses without warning.
🧭
Structure Guidance Included
Not sure whether you need a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or limited partnership? Our team provides free guidance on choosing the right structure for your specific situation — before you register.
Simple Process
Register Your Business in 3 Simple Steps
No government portals. No confusing forms. AMQ Legals handles everything from name check to MBL delivery — same business day.
Select your business structure and complete our simple online form. Provide your business name, owner details, Ontario address, and business activity. Takes under 10 minutes.
Our team reviews your business name for compliance, confirms all details, and files your registration directly with the Ontario Business Registry on your behalf.
Your Master Business Licence is delivered to your email the same business day. Use it to open a business bank account, invoice clients, and operate your business immediately.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a sole proprietorship and a corporation?
A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure — you and your business are legally the same entity. You report all business income on your personal tax return and are personally responsible for all debts and liabilities. A corporation is a separate legal entity that provides limited liability (protecting your personal assets) and access to lower corporate tax rates. Sole proprietorships are simpler and cheaper to set up, but offer no liability protection.
How long is a Master Business Licence valid?
An MBL is valid for 5 years from the date of registration. You must renew it before the expiry date to maintain your registration. If your MBL lapses, you lose exclusive use of your business name and will need to re-register — potentially finding that someone else has registered the same name in the interim. AMQ Legals tracks your expiry date and sends renewal reminders.
What is a Limited Partnership and who is it for?
A Limited Partnership (LP) has at least one general partner — who manages the business and has unlimited personal liability — and one or more limited partners — who are passive investors whose liability is limited to their investment amount. LPs are commonly used for real estate investments, private equity structures, and project financing where investors want to participate financially without having management responsibility or unlimited liability.
Do I need a Master Business Licence to start a business in Ontario?
If you are operating a business in Ontario under a name other than your own full legal name, you are required to register that name. You also need registration if you are operating as a partnership. Even if you operate under your own name, registration is often practically required for banking, contracts, HST/GST accounts, and supplier relationships. An MBL is the registration document you receive from the Ontario Business Registry.
What is the difference between a trade name and a sole proprietorship?
A sole proprietorship is the legal business structure — it means one person owns and operates the business personally. A trade name (DBA) is simply the registered business name you operate under. For example, “Jane Smith” (sole proprietor) operating as “Jane’s Bakery” (trade name). A sole proprietorship and trade name are often registered together through a single MBL filing. A trade name can also be registered by a corporation operating under a brand name different from its corporate name.
Should I register as a sole proprietorship or incorporate?
Choose a sole proprietorship if you are just starting out, have low risk, want simplicity, and expect to keep business profits under approximately $50,000–$100,000 per year. Consider incorporating if you want to protect your personal assets from business liability, expect significant profits (to benefit from lower corporate tax rates), plan to bring on investors, or want to build a more formal business structure. AMQ Legals can advise on the right choice based on your specific situation.
Ready to Register Your Ontario Business?
Fast, affordable, and fully guided. Get your Master Business Licence delivered the same day — with expert review and name compliance check included.