What is a NUANS Report?
A NUANS report — short for Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search — is an official document generated from Canada's national business name database. It is a required step before incorporating a named corporation in Canada in certain jurisdictions.
When you want to name your corporation something like "Maple Tech Solutions Inc." or "Northern Star Consulting Ltd.", you first need to check whether that name — or something confusingly similar — already exists. The NUANS report does exactly that: it searches millions of existing registered businesses, corporations, and trademarks across Canada and produces a list of potentially conflicting names.
The report includes a unique NUANS reference number that you submit as part of your corporation's Articles of Incorporation to prove that a name search was completed.
Why is a NUANS Report Required?
The Government of Canada requires NUANS searches to protect businesses and the public from name confusion. Without this system:
- Two businesses in the same industry could legally have near-identical names
- Consumers could be misled about which company they are dealing with
- Trademarks could be easily infringed upon by new corporations
The NUANS system — maintained by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) — provides a standardized, algorithmic way to search for similar names across the entire country.
Who Needs a NUANS Report?
✅ You DO Need a NUANS Report
- Ontario Corporation (OBCA) — Incorporating a named company under the Ontario Business Corporations Act through ServiceOntario
- Alberta Corporation (ABCA) — Incorporating a named company under the Alberta Business Corporations Act through Service Alberta
- Federal Corporation (CBCA) — Incorporating a named company under the Canada Business Corporations Act through Corporations Canada
- New Brunswick Corporation (NBBCA) — Incorporating a named company under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act
- Name Change — If an existing corporation in these jurisdictions is changing its corporate name
- Continuation — In some cases, when a corporation is moving between provincial and federal jurisdictions
✕ You Do NOT Need a NUANS Report
- Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships — Business name registrations do not require NUANS reports
- Numbered Companies — e.g., "1234567 Ontario Ltd." — numbered corporations don't need a name search
- British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec — These provinces use their own name approval processes
- Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, Territories — These jurisdictions have separate name search systems
What Does a NUANS Report Search?
When you submit a proposed name for a NUANS search, the system checks it against millions of records, including:
- Federal corporations registered under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA)
- Provincial corporations from provinces that contribute to the NUANS database (Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and others)
- Business names registered by sole proprietors and partnerships
- Canadian trademarks from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) database
- Dissolved corporations (recently dissolved names may still block new registrations)
The search uses phonetic matching algorithms — not just exact text matching. So if you propose "Maple-Tech Inc.", the system will also flag "MapleTech Inc.", "Meiple Tek Inc.", and other sound-alike names.
What is Included in a NUANS Report?
A complete NUANS report contains:
- Your proposed corporate name (as entered)
- Phonetically equivalent version of your proposed name
- List of existing names that are identical or similar — ranked by similarity
- The legal entity type and jurisdiction of each conflicting name
- Canadian trademark registrations that may conflict
- Your unique NUANS reference number (needed for incorporation)
- The date the search was run and the expiry date (90 days from search date)
How to Read Your NUANS Report
Your NUANS report lists similar names in order of similarity. A high similarity score means the name is very close to yours — which may mean your proposed name could be rejected. Key things to look for:
- Identical names: If an active business has the exact same name, your incorporation will almost certainly be rejected.
- Very similar names in the same industry: A name can be rejected even if not identical if it could cause public confusion — especially if both businesses are in the same sector.
- Trademark matches: If a Canadian trademark closely matches your proposed name, you may need legal advice before proceeding.
- Dissolved/inactive businesses: Names of dissolved corporations may still block registrations for a period after dissolution.
How Long is a NUANS Report Valid?
A NUANS report is valid for 90 days from the date it is generated. The expiry date is printed on the first page of the report PDF.
You must file your Articles of Incorporation with the relevant corporate registry before this 90-day window closes. If you miss the deadline, you must order a new NUANS report and pay for a new search.
Ready to Order Your NUANS Report?
From $19 CAD · Delivered to your email · All provinces
How to Order a NUANS Report
Choose Your Province / Jurisdiction
Select Ontario, Alberta, Federal (Canada-wide), or New Brunswick — depending on where you are incorporating.
Select Your Plan
Standard ($19, ~3 hrs), Express ($29, ~1 hr), or Instant ($49, immediate). All plans include the same official report.
Enter Your Proposed Name
Provide the exact corporation name you'd like to search, including the legal ending (Inc., Ltd., Corp., etc.). You can also add 1–2 alternative names.
Complete Secure Payment
Pay via Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or PayPal. SSL-encrypted checkout. No hidden fees.
Receive Your NUANS Report PDF
Your official NUANS report — including your reference number — is emailed directly to you. File with the corporate registry within 90 days.
How Much Does a NUANS Report Cost?
| Plan | Price (CAD) | Delivery | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $19 | ~3 hours | Full NUANS Report PDF · Reference # · Email delivery |
| Express ⭐ | $29 | ~1 hour | Everything in Standard + Priority processing · 1 revision · SMS |
| Instant + Bundle | $49 | Instant | Everything in Express + Auto-delivery · Pre-search · Incorporation checklist |
All prices in Canadian dollars. Same price for all jurisdictions. See full pricing page →
Frequently Asked Questions
NUANS stands for Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search. It is the federal database system used to search for existing corporation names and trademarks across Canada. The system is maintained by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
No. A NUANS report is a search of existing names — it does not reserve or hold the name for you. Another person could file for the same name before you. To protect yourself, file your incorporation as soon as possible after receiving your NUANS report, ideally within days.
No. A NUANS report shows the results of a name search, but the corporate registry (e.g., ServiceOntario, Service Alberta) makes the final decision on whether your name is acceptable. A clear NUANS report is a good sign, but the registry may still reject a name for various reasons (e.g., offensive names, names that are too generic, or new conflicts arising after your search).
The NUANS reference number is a unique identifier printed on your NUANS report. You enter this number on your Articles of Incorporation when filing with the corporate registry. It proves that a NUANS search was conducted for your proposed name. Full guide to NUANS reference numbers →
The Government of Canada does not offer free NUANS searches. An official NUANS report costs a fee whether you access it directly through government channels or through an authorized service provider. Our service provides fast, convenient access to the official NUANS database starting from $19 CAD.
Generally, no. NUANS reports are required for corporations in specific provinces. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships typically register their business name with the provincial government but do not require a NUANS report. Read our sole proprietorship guide →