What is a Federal NUANS Report?
A Federal NUANS report is a national name search of the NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) database, required for incorporating a business federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). Unlike provincial NUANS searches, the federal NUANS report covers the full national database without a specific provincial geographic bias.
Federal incorporation gives your corporation the right to operate under its name in all Canadian provinces and territories. Corporations Canada — the federal corporate registry — requires a NUANS report as part of the federal Articles of Incorporation filing process.
Federal vs. Provincial Incorporation — Which Do You Need?
The decision between federal and provincial incorporation depends on your business goals:
| Factor | Federal Corporation (CBCA) | Provincial Corporation (e.g. OBCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Name Protection | Canada-wide name right | Within province only |
| Operating Across Canada | ✅ Easier — registered federally | Must register extra-provincially in each province |
| NUANS Report Required | ✅ Federal NUANS report | ✅ Province-specific NUANS report |
| Annual Filings | Annual return to Corporations Canada | Annual return to province |
| Cost | Federal filing fee applies | Provincial filing fee applies |
| Best For | National businesses, multiple provinces | Single-province businesses |
Who Needs a Federal NUANS Report?
- Federal Corporation (CBCA) — Any named business incorporating under the Canada Business Corporations Act nationwide
- Non-Profit Federal Corporation — Organizations incorporating under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act may also require a NUANS search
- Name Change for Federal Corporation — If an existing federal corporation is changing its corporate name
- Continuation into Federal Jurisdiction — If a provincial corporation is continuing as a federal corporation under the CBCA
What is Included in Your Federal NUANS Report?
- Your proposed federal corporate name and its phonetic equivalent
- Full national database search results showing similar existing names
- Federal and provincial corporations with similar or identical names
- Canadian trademark registrations (CIPO) that may conflict with your proposed name
- Business name registrations across all provinces
- Unique NUANS reference number required for your CBCA Articles of Incorporation
- Date of search and 90-day expiry date
Federal NUANS Report Pricing
| Plan | Price (CAD) | Delivery | Included | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $19 | ~3 hours | Federal NUANS PDF · Reference # · Email delivery | Order → |
| Express ⭐ | $29 | ~1 hour | Everything in Standard · Priority · Name pre-check · 1 revision · SMS | Order → |
| Instant + Bundle | $49 | Instant | Everything in Express · Auto-delivery · Pre-search · Checklist · Agent review | Order → |
How to Order Your Federal NUANS Report
Complete the Order Form
Enter your proposed federal corporate name, select "Federal" as your jurisdiction, and provide any alternative names.
Select Your Delivery Speed
Standard ($19), Express ($29), or Instant ($49) — choose based on your filing timeline.
Pay Securely
SSL-encrypted checkout via Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or PayPal. No hidden fees.
Receive Your Federal NUANS Report
Your official Federal NUANS report PDF is delivered to your inbox. Include the reference number in your Corporations Canada CBCA incorporation application.
Frequently Asked Questions — Federal NUANS Report
A Federal NUANS report is an official national name search document required for incorporating a named business under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) through Corporations Canada. It searches the full NUANS national database without provincial bias to identify potential name conflicts.
Yes. All named federal corporations incorporating under the CBCA require a NUANS report. You must include the NUANS reference number in your Articles of Incorporation when filing with Corporations Canada.
A Federal NUANS report is a national search without provincial weighting, accepted by Corporations Canada for CBCA federal incorporation. An Ontario NUANS report is Ontario-biased and accepted only by ServiceOntario for OBCA provincial incorporation. They are not interchangeable — use the correct type for your filing jurisdiction.
A Federal NUANS report is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your federal incorporation must be submitted to Corporations Canada within this 90-day window. If your filing is delayed beyond 90 days, you must order a new NUANS report.
Generally, no. Ontario requires an Ontario-biased NUANS report for OBCA incorporation, and Alberta requires a NUANS report specifically for Alberta. A Federal NUANS report is designed for Corporations Canada (CBCA) federal incorporation and may not be accepted by provincial registries.
Federal incorporation under the CBCA gives your corporation Canada-wide name protection and recognition. Key benefits include: the right to carry on business in any province under your corporate name, a national brand presence, and the prestige associated with federally incorporated status. Many businesses that operate or plan to operate across multiple provinces choose federal incorporation.