Federal NUANS: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Federal Business Name Registration in Canada
A federal NUANS report lists existing corporate names, business names and trademarks across Canada that are similar to a name you want to use. The rules changed recently: Corporations Canada now runs the name search inside the online incorporation and name preapproval process, so most new federal corporations no longer need to order a separate NUANS report. This guide explains when you still need one, and when it's worth getting anyway.
Federal NUANS at a glance
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Needed to incorporate federally online? | No: the name search is built into the application |
Needed for a federal name preapproval? | No: also built in; preapproval is valid 90 days |
Still required for | Revival, amalgamation, not-for-profit continuance (import), and all cooperative filings |
Validity | 90 days |
Federal name search cost | $13.80 |
Provincial incorporations | Most provinces still require a NUANS report biased to that province (e.g. Ontario, Alberta, Atlantic) |
What is a federal NUANS report?
NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) is the federal government's database of Canadian corporate names, registered business names and trademarks. A federal-biased report weighs results across the whole country, which matters for a federal corporation because its name is protected Canada-wide. A report shows names that are identical or similar to yours so you, and the registry, can judge whether yours would cause confusion.
A NUANS report is a search result, not an approval. Getting one doesn't mean Corporations Canada will accept the name.
When do you still need a federal NUANS report?
Corporations Canada requires a NUANS report from Nuans.com for:
- Revival of a dissolved CBCA or not-for-profit corporation
- Amalgamation under the CBCA or the not-for-profit act
- Continuance (import) of a not-for-profit corporation into the federal jurisdiction
- All services for cooperatives and registered intermediary filings
For a standard online federal incorporation or a name change by amendment, you propose the name in the application and Corporations Canada reviews it.
Why get a NUANS report even when it isn't required?
- Before you invest in a brand. See conflicts before you print, build a website or register a domain, not after Corporations Canada rejects the name.
- Trademark risk. A name that clears the registry can still infringe someone's trademark. NUANS includes Canadian trademarks in its search.
- Provincial registrations. A federal corporation registering extra-provincially, or a provincial incorporation, may need a report biased to that province: Ontario-biased in Ontario, Alberta in Alberta, Atlantic in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
- Supporting your case. Corporations Canada recommends giving extra information with a proposed name: your business type, where you'll operate, and searches you've run. A NUANS report is good evidence.
How to choose a name that gets approved federally
1. Use all three elements
A distinctive element ("Northwind"), a descriptive element ("Logistics") and a legal ending ("Inc.", "Ltd.", "Corp." or the French forms).
2. Avoid confusion with existing names
Check identical and similar names in the same or related industries, especially where you'll operate. Similar descriptive words count, so a hotel name can conflict with an existing inn.
3. Explain your choice
Tell Corporations Canada how you chose the distinctive element, and explain a family name's connection to the corporation if you use one.
4. Or skip the name
A numbered name such as 12345678 Canada Inc. is assigned automatically and needs no search. You can change to a word name later by amending the articles.
How to get a federal NUANS report
- Decide on up to a few candidate names.
- Order a federal-biased NUANS report from Nuans.com or a registered NUANS provider. You can order one through us and we'll flag likely conflicts.
- Review the similar names and trademarks it lists.
- Use the report within 90 days; after that it expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a NUANS report to incorporate federally?
Not for an online incorporation with a word name. Corporations Canada runs the name search as part of the application. A separate report is still useful for checking conflicts in advance.
When is a federal NUANS report mandatory?
For revivals, amalgamations, not-for-profit continuances into the federal jurisdiction, and all cooperative filings.
How long is a NUANS report valid?
90 days. A federal name preapproval is also valid for 90 days from the date you apply.
Does a NUANS report reserve my name?
No. It's a search result. Federally, you can reserve a name with a corporate name preapproval, or simply choose it during incorporation.
Can I use a federal NUANS report for a provincial incorporation?
Usually not. Ontario, for example, requires an Ontario-biased report and rejects federal-biased ones. Order the report biased to the province you're filing in.
What does the federal name search cost?
Corporations Canada lists the federal name search at $13.80. NUANS reports ordered through private providers include their service fees.
Sources: Naming a corporation: how to get a name, Nuans federal report, Corporations Canada fees; Ontario NUANS requirement. Checked October 2026.
Related services
Keep reading
How Corporations Canada's name preapproval (90 days) and BC's Name Request ($30, 56 days) work, plus how other provinces approve corporate names.
A free pre-search catches obvious conflicts; a NUANS report or name reservation is what registries accept. How each works, in Ontario and elsewhere.
A NUANS report lists names and trademarks similar to yours. See which provinces still require one, what it costs, the 90-day rule and how to read it.