NUANS Reports for Business Name Searches in Alberta

Securing a unique and legally available name is an important first step if you're starting a new business or incorporating a company in Alberta. A NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report helps ensure your proposed corporate or trade name doesn't conflict with existing businesses, trademarks, or intellectual property.

What is a NUANS Report?
A NUANS report is a computerized name search that compares your proposed corporate name or trademark against existing ones across Canada. This is a mandatory requirement for federal incorporation and is essential for identifying potential name conflicts and avoiding legal complications.

Ready to search your business name?
Simply bring your proposed company name or trade name to our office, and we'll complete the NUANS report for you quickly and accurately. We're here to help make the name registration process simple and stress-free.

Extra-Provincial Registrations for Canadian and Foreign Corporations

Extra-provincial registration is mandatory if your corporation plans to conduct business beyond its home province. This registration allows Canadian and foreign corporations to legally operate in multiple provinces or territories across Canada.

Extra-provincial registration ensures compliance with provincial laws and helps establish your business presence throughout Canada.

For more information on incorporating a business and additional registration options, please visit Alberta’s official business startup guide.

At Chaparral Registry & Insurance, we’re here to simplify your extra-provincial registration process. Whether you’re a Canadian or foreign corporation, give us a call or stop by our office — we’re happy to guide you every step of the way.

Understanding Business Partnerships in Alberta

Starting a business with one or more individuals or corporations? Registering a partnership in Alberta is a key legal step that defines how your business operates and how responsibilities are shared. At Chaparral Registry & Insurance, we help you register your business name and understand the requirements under Alberta's Partnership Act.
What is a Partnership?A partnership is formed when two or more individuals or corporations join together to operate a business. Partners share in the business's profits, risks, and financial obligations.
A business name used in a partnership does not have its own legal status—it's simply a way to represent your business to the public. That means all partners are personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business.
Registering your business name doesn't give you exclusive ownership of that name; it simply confirms that you're using it legally in Alberta.
If you're unsure whether to register as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, it's recommended to seek legal advice to choose the best structure for your needs.
The Four Types of Business Registrations Under Alberta's Partnership Act:● Trade Name (Sole Proprietorship)● Partnership● Limited Partnership● Limited Liability Partnership
To get started, please fill out the Declaration of Partnership Form and visit us at Chaparral Registry.
Start with ConfidenceWhether you're forming a basic partnership or a more complex limited liability partnership, our experienced staff can guide you through the process quickly and correctly. Visit our West Lethbridge location or contact us today to get started.

Understanding Trade Names in Alberta

When you run a business under a name other than your personal or corporate legal name, you are using a trade name. Also known as a sole proprietorship, a trade name allows individuals or corporations to operate publicly under a unique business name without creating a separate legal entity.
What Is a Trade Name?A trade name itself does not have legal status—it’s simply a way for one or more people to represent their business to customers and the public. Because the business name is not legally separate, the sole proprietor or partners remain personally responsible for any debts and obligations incurred by the business.
Registering a trade name confirms you’re legally using that name but does not grant exclusive ownership rights over it.
If you’re unsure whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation is the best business structure for you, it’s strongly recommended to seek legal advice to make the right choice.
Types of Business Names Registered Under Alberta’s Partnership Act:● Trade Name (Sole Proprietorship)● Partnership● Limited Partnership● Limited Liability Partnership
Ready to register your trade name? Start by completing the Declaration of Trade Name Form at Chaparral Registry & Insurance, where our knowledgeable staff are ready to assist.

Ongoing Corporate Filing Responsibilities in Alberta

Once incorporated or registered, a corporation, society, non-profit company, or trade name/partnership must register certain information with Corporate Registry on a periodic basis or when a change occurs. The following legislation indicates what information that must be filed with the Registrar of Corporations.
● Business Corporations Act - applies to Alberta corporations, extra-provincial profit and non-profit organizations● Cemetery Companies Act - applies to Alberta cemeteries registered under this Act● Companies Act - applies to Alberta non-profit companies● Religious Societies Land Act - applies to Alberta religious denominations or congregations● Partnership Act - applies to Alberta trade names (sole proprietorships) and general partnerships, Alberta and extra-provincial limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships● Societies Act - applies to Alberta societies
Most registrations for corporations, extra-provincial non-profit organizations, and trade names/partnerships can be processed by a Corporate Registry service provider. Information for Alberta non-profit companies, societies, and religious societies must be submitted directly to Corporate Registry for registration.
Annual Returns● Corporations, societies, non-profit companies, and limited liability partnerships must submit an annual return (report) each year.● This document contains information about shareholders, or officers and directors, or representative partners.● Societies and public non-profit companies must also provide financial information.● If the annual return or report is not filed, the organization will eventually be legally dissolved or its registration will be cancelled.
Change Notices● Alberta corporations must provide updates within 15 days when the corporation changes its registered office, mailing address, or directors.● Extra-provincial corporations must submit updates within 30 days when there is a change of attorney, head office, or directors.● Trade names must be updated within 30 days when there is a change to the declarant's name or address.● Partnership updates (name of partnership, partner change, partner address change, change to limited partnership agreement) must also be submitted within 30 days.● Society and non-profit address changes are to be submitted within 15 days of the change. The same practice applies for changes to non-profit company directors.
Fundamental Amendments● An Alberta corporation may amend its name and any of its articles or structure information, such as share capital, restrictions on share transfers, etc.● Alberta corporations may also continue out of Alberta and become registered/incorporated in a new jurisdiction, provide the laws of that jurisdiction permit continuance.● Two or more Alberta corporations may amalgamate and continue as one corporation. Alberta corporations may also amalgamate with corporations from other jurisdictions, provided the laws of that jurisdiction permit cross-border amalgamation, and provided that the new amalgamated corporation will be an Alberta corporation.● An extra-provincial corporation must notify Alberta, through an authorized service provider, when it changes its name, home jurisdiction, or structure and when it takes part in an amalgamation in its home jurisdiction.● Society amendments, such as name, objective, or bylaw changes do not take effect until the prescribed information is filed with Corporate Registry.● The same principle applies to non-profit company amendments, such as name change, capital amendments, and change to the memorandum or articles, and to changes of constitution or bylaws of religious societies.● Effective September 22, 2014, a non-profit organization may apply to continue into Alberta and become an Alberta society. Likewise, an Alberta society may continue into another jurisdiction, if authorized by the appropriate law.
Keep Your Registration Compliant
At Chaparral Registry & Insurance, we make it easy to stay on top of your post-incorporation obligations. Whether you’re updating corporate details, submitting annual returns, or managing business amendments, our team can walk you through the process efficiently and accurately.

Comprehensive Corporate and Lien Searches in Alberta

At Chaparral Registry & Insurance, we provide thorough corporate and lien searches to help you make informed decisions. Whether you need to check for liens on personal property or verify corporate details, our expert services cover all bases to support your business or personal transactions in Alberta.
Our Personal Property lean search system can search all non-real estate type property. For example, liens on automobiles, boats, aircraft and mobile homes.
We can provide search of the PPSA system either by serial number or by business or individual name.
Provided you produce the appropriate documentation we may be able to register or remove liens.
We can also provide you with a Vehicle Information Report that gives you a little more information –Vehicle Description including odometer reading; Vehicle Status ie active, rebuilt, salvage; Registration Dates and locations and plate class ie passenger, commercial; how many liens, if any are against the vehicle.
See complete list of forms athttp://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/WP_PersonalPropertyForms.cfm
For property within Alberta, we can provide a Land Title Search which will show the ownership and any encumbrances against the property.
Please note: By law, registry agents are not able to make changes to the title information such as removing mortgages or liens. This can only be done at the Land Title Office, located at 710 4th Avenue SW. Calgary. You may phone (403) 297-6511 in Calgary or (780) 427-2742 in Edmonton.
Land Transfer formhttp://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/pdf/ltmanual/TRANSFER_OF_LAND.pdf
See complete list of forms athttps://www.alberta.ca/service-alberta.aspx
Corporate SearchesA Corporate Search is a copy of the information registered in the Alberta Corporate system for an Alberta Corporation.
Information included in a search:● Name and registered address of company● Director and shareholder information and share structure● Registration date and any affiliated companies● Status of corporation ie: active/liquid/dissolved● We require the company's name to do the search.
Get Reliable Search ResultsTrust Chaparral Registry & Insurance for accurate and efficient corporate and lien searches in Alberta. Contact us today to get started, or visit our office for personalized assistance.