Registering a US LLC in Canada by Province

What this is: As Canada is the number one trading partner of the United States, with a common language, educated work force, and similar economic and political systems, US companies who are starting to expand internationally often start in a Canadian province.

What this means:  If a US company is doing business in a Canadian province, it should register “extra-provincially|” a process which is quite similar to qualifying a company to do business in another US state. 

Registration forms are completed and submitted for filing by the corporate registry, and are usually accompanied by supporting documents from the home jurisdiction, attesting to the company’s existence. However, because Canada does not have a limited liability company (LLC) law, US LLCs usually register under the provincial corporation law, but often must fulfill additional requirements.

The requirements for the registration of an LLC in the ten Canadian provinces are listed below.

Alberta

When an LLC registers in Alberta, the Corporate Registry requires that the company present a legal opinion stating that the company has certain corporate attributes. In addition to a description of the general characteristics of the company, the opinion must state:

1. The LLC is a body corporate as defined under the laws of its home jurisdiction, and not a partnership or unincorporated association.
2. The LLC is a legal entity separate from its shareholders or members.
3. Provided that the shareholders or members do not contravene the provisions of the statute that established the LLC, the shareholders or members of the LLC are not legally liable for any liability, act, or default of the LLC.
4. The LLC can sue and be sued in its own name.
5. The LLC can contract and be contracted in its own name.
6. The LLC can acquire and hold real and personal property for the purposes for which the LLC was established and can dispose of the property at its pleasure.

In addition to the above legal opinion, LLCs must also provide a NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report showing name availability and submit a Statement of Registration, Appointment of Attorney for Service (which is similar to a registered agent in the US) and a certified copy of their charter documents.

British Columbia 

Limited liability companies register in British Columbia exactly the same way as corporations. The Business Corporation Act specifically refers to limited liability companies and indicates that the term “director” refers to a manager and that the term “shareholder” refers to member when used in relation to a foreign LLC. To register an LLC in British Columbia, a company must submit a name search and reservation form, a registration statement, a request for business number and a Good Standing Certificate from its home jurisdiction.

Manitoba 

In Manitoba, limited liability companies file the same forms as corporations, but must also submit the formation documents for the company (Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization) and any amendments thereto. To register extra-provincially in Manitoba, companies file a name reservation, an application for registration and a power of attorney appointing an attorney for service.

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, there is no difference in the registration process for limited liability companies. They obtain a NUANS name search report as corporations do and file a Statement of Registration and Additional Information, an Appointment for Attorney for Service and the Consent to Act as Attorney for Service. These should be accompanied by a certified copy of the formation documents and amendments, as well as a Good Standing Certificate.

Newfoundland

Limited Liability Companies registering in Newfoundland have one additional requirement over corporations; they must provide written consent that they will provide a copy of the company’s Operating Agreement to the Director of Commercial Registrations upon request. The Agreement will only be reviewed by the Director and will not become part of the public record. To register in Newfoundland, companies must file a statement for registration, a statutory declaration by the officers and a power of attorney appointing an attorney for service. These must be accompanied by a certified copy of the formation documents and any amendments thereto.

Nova Scotia

Limited Liability Companies register in Nova Scotia like corporations. They must reserve the name and provide the three-part registration form and a certified copy of the formation documents.

Ontario

In Ontario, limited liability companies do not register as corporations but instead register under the Ontario Business Names Act and are treated differently than corporations. This act specifies that extra-provincial limited liability companies do not appoint an attorney for service but should be served either at their principal place of business in Ontario (if any), the address required to be maintained in the jurisdiction of formation or its principal office address.  

To register an LLC in Ontario, companies file Registration Form 6 under the business names act and the registration must be renewed every five years. No supporting documentation is required.

Prince Edward Island

Limited Liability Companies register in the same manner as corporations in Prince Edward Island.  Submission of an Application for Registration (Under the Extra-provincial Corporations Registration Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. E-14) is required. For both corporations and LLCs, Prince Edward Island differs from most other provinces in two ways. First, supporting documentation is not required to be submitted with the registration documents. And second, there is no requirement to appoint a local attorney for service.  

Quebec

Quebec’s registration forms do not make a distinction between different types of entities. All “legal persons” not formed in Quebec file the Initial Declaration for a Legal Person. The company must provide a French version of their name when registering.

Saskatchewan

US limited liability companies register in Saskatchewan under the Business Corporations Act. To register, LLCs submit an application for registration, a power of attorney appointing an attorney for service, certified copies of the formation document along with any amendments and a certificate of status from the home jurisdiction.

By being aware of the different requirements in each Canadian province for registering a US limited liability company, you can avoid problems and complete the registration process more quickly.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or relied upon, as legal advice.