Frequently asked questions
Please click on the “Online services” and “Forms” tabs to obtain the list of services and forms available.
- Search for an enterprise in the enterprise register
- Compilation of information
- Application for a name search report or a name reservation
- Request for documents
- Registration
- Forms
- Fees
- Submission of documents or requests to the enterprise registrar
- Processing time
- Updating files
- Closure of an enterprise (striking off and dissolution)
- Incorporation of a business corporation
- Registrants eligible for combined filing
- Miscellaneous
- Modernization of the enterprise register
1. Search for an enterprise in the enterprise register
What information does the file of an enterprise registered in the enterprise register contain?
The enterprise register contains information concerning the identity of an enterprise or an association registered in Québec. In particular, you will find the enterprise’s:
- Québec enterprise number (NEQ);
- name;
- address;
- main business areas;
- shareholders;
- directors.
To obtain additional information, please consult the subsection entitled The Enterprise Register and Its Contents.
May a compilation of information contain individual and personal information?
No. Pursuant to the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises, a compilation of information may not contain individual and personal information.
I am looking for a numbered company, (9115-8247 Québec inc.). How must I proceed?
The enterprise’s identification number takes the place of a name. You must, therefore, conduct the search using the “Name or words to look up” field but without entering the legal form of the enterprise (inc.).
Attention: An enterprise’s identification number does not correspond to its Québec enterprise number (NEQ).
How can I determine whether an enterprise has filed its information return or its annual updating declaration?
You can determine whether an enterprise has filed its latest information return, current updating declaration or annual updating declaration by consulting its file in the enterprise register. You will see there the date of filing of the latest information return or updating declaration on the line entitled DERN DÉCL ANNL.
To obtain the list of declarations filed, you can consult the section entitled Documents conservés du dossier de l’entreprise.
To consult an enterprise’s file, please use the Searching the register for a business online service.
How can I determine whether the information in the enterprise register has been updated?
The date of updating of the data appears at the top of the search results page or in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of the information statement of the enterprise’s file.
2. Compilation of information
Can I determine the number of enterprises registered in the enterprise register or that have been created during a given period (over the past three months)?
No, it is not possible to obtain statistics on the number of enterprises registered in the enterprise register or that have been created during a given period.
However, you can use the Demander un regroupement d’informations online service to obtain a compilation of information on a list of enterprises obtained by means of a search in the enterprise register.
- Attention
- A $100 fee applies to the first 500 files found. Any additional file will cost $0.20. To obtain additional information, please consult the fee schedule.
What must I do if I wish to submit a request for a compilation of information and I have forgotten my reference number?
You can request a new reference number by email.
- Note
- The reference number is used to consult the results of a compilation of information requested. It is only activated once the applicable fees have been paid.
3. Application for a name search report or a name reservation
When must I request a search report or file a name reservation application?
In order to incorporate pursuant to Part III of the Companies Act, all non-profit legal persons must provide a search report. However, you may not file a search report by means of the online services offered by the enterprise registrar.
You may either:
- file a name reservation application (the search report will be sent to you with the confirmation of the name reservation);
- search the enterprise register yourself, free of charge, and print the results.
All business corporations are encouraged to conduct a search in the enterprise register to ascertain whether the name that they wish to give their enterprise is already in use. Moreover, all business corporations may file a name reservation application.
The name reservation is valid for 90 days.
It should be noted that a natural person who operates a sole proprietorship may not reserve the name under which he intends to do business. The natural person must register by filing a declaration of registration and declare all of the names that he uses to engage in his activities or operate his enterprise.
4. Request for documents
Is it possible to request only an excerpt of a document, e.g. pages 3 and 4?
Yes, it is possible to obtain an excerpt of the documents filed in the enterprise register simply by mentioning it in your request.
How can I obtain a copy of a document filed in the enterprise register?
You must submit a request for a copy of a document by filling out the appropriate form on our website or by writing to Revenu Québec.
Fees apply to this type of request. To determine the fees applicable to a request for a copy of a document, please refer to the fee schedule and terms of payment.
The copy requested can be sent to you by mail, email or fax.
Can I receive by fax a certificate of compliance, an attestation or a certified copy of a document filed in the enterprise register?
Yes (certain fees apply). However, enterprise register staff are also obliged to send you these documents by mail.
5. Registration
What is the purpose of the Québec enterprise number (NEQ)?
A Québec enterprise number (NEQ) is attributed to enterprises that register pursuant to the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises.
It simplifies and expedites relations between the enterprises and the departments and bodies of the gouvernement du Québec. In particular, it facilitates their registration in government programs and services by means of a single identifier.
You can now use your NEQ in respect of the following government departments and bodies:
Enterprises are encouraged to consult the websites of these government departments and bodies to determine which services they can access using their NEQ.
Where can I register my enterprise and obtain a NEQ?
You can register and obtain your NEQ:
- through the Declaration of registration or Initial declaration online service;
- at Services Québec offices;
Is a natural person who operates a sole proprietorship under a name that includes his surname and given name obliged to register with the enterprise register?
No. A natural person who operates a sole proprietorship under a name that includes his surname and given name is not obliged to register, unless the person operates a tobacco retail outlet.
What information must I declare when I register a legal person not constituted in Québec?
You must fill out all of the applicable sections of the declaration of registration that concern you. Ensure that you indicate the number of your employees in Québec and your main business areas.
Also ensure that all of the names declared and used in Québec are in French or are accompanied by a French version, except in the case of trademarks registered in English only.
Must I pay the annual registration fees for the year in which I file a declaration of striking off?
Yes. You are obliged to pay the annual registration fees for each year during which your enterprise is registered as of January 1, including the year during which you file a declaration of striking off.
6. Forms
Can I obtain blank annual updating declaration forms?
If you must use a blank annual updating declaration form, you can request it from Services Québec. You must indicate on the form the state of your file and the changes to be made to it, as the case may be.
It should be noted that the Direction du Registraire des entreprises at Revenu Québec offers a simple, quick online service to enable you to fill out your annual updating declaration.
Can I fill out by hand forms pertaining to the enterprise register?
Any natural person who operates a sole proprietorship or a business corporation may fill out the forms by hand in black or blue ink, or fill them out on the computer screen then print them.
Most of the forms intended for legal persons must be filled out on the computer screen and printed.
Attention: All documents must be legible and clean to allow for digitization and photocopying.
Where can I obtain the forms pertaining to the enterprise register?
You can obtain the forms by means of the online services or by consulting the “Forms” section of our website.
To obtain the printed form corresponding to an online service, you must contact Services Québec.
Can I save the information that I have entered on an electronic form?
If you possess the free version of Adobe Reader software, you cannot save the information that you have entered on the form (Dynamic PDF).
However, if you have used the online services, you can save the information entered for 90 days and recover it by means of your identifier.
7. Fees
To determine the fees applicable to your request, please consult the Fee schedule and Terms of payment on our website.
Is it normal for the amount entered on my annual updating declaration to be $0?
Yes. The first declaration that you file is free.
If the declaration is not your first one, please consult the fee schedule and terms of payment.
Must I file my annual updating declaration during the specified period even if the amount of the fees payable is $0?
Yes. If you file your declaration after the specified period, you must pay a late filing penalty.
What are the costs applicable to the incorporation of a business corporation?
It costs $300 to incorporate a business corporation pursuant to the Business Corporations Act.
To whom must a cheque or money order be made payable for the payment of forms pertaining to the enterprise register?
All payments by cheque or money order must be payable to the Minister of Revenue.
However, we encourage you to make your payment using our online payment service .
8. Submission of documents or requests to the enterprise registrar
Can I submit online or by fax a request or a declaration?
Most requests and declarations can be submitted online (please consult the “Online Services” section for more information).
Once the new Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises comes into force, it will no longer be possible to fax documents for reasons of security and confidentiality.
To what postal address must I send printed forms?
You must send printed forms pertaining to the incorporation, modification of the articles of incorporation or the dissolution of a business corporation or a legal person to:
Revenu Québec
Direction du registraire des entreprises
C. P. 1153
Québec (Québec) G1K 7C3
You must send forms pertaining to registration, the modification of information in the enterprise register, the striking off of a registration, the revocation of striking off, and the dissolution and the liquidation of a general partnership or a limited partnership to:
Revenu Québec
Direction du registraire des entreprises
C. P. 1364
Québec (Québec) G1K 9B3
9. Processing time
How long does it take to obtain a NEQ (register an enterprise)?
Any natural person who files online a declaration of registration and pays the fee online will automatically receive a NEQ once the payment is confirmed.
Otherwise, it takes five business days to obtain a NEQ.
How long does it take to incorporate a business corporation?
Applications to incorporate a business corporation pursuant to the Business Corporations Act are processed within five business days, provided that all of the requisite information has been submitted.
If you use the Demander des statuts de constitution online service and request a numbered enterprise, you will automatically receive a NEQ once the online payment is confirmed.
What is the response time to a request for documents?
Enterprise register staff usually respond to any properly formulated request for documents within 20 business days, on average. A properly formulated request is a specific request accompanied by the requisite payment.
What is the response time to a request for a compilation of information?
The following response times apply:
- sending of a reference number: immediately;
- acceptance of the enrolment application: immediately;
- production and sending of the compilation of information: five business days;
- consultation of the compilation of information: three months.
10. Updating files
Can I file an annual updating declaration to update my file beyond the specified period?
You may only file one annual updating declaration per year.
If you wish to update your file beyond the specified period, you must file a current updating declaration within 30 business days of any change.
I have changed my enterprise. How can I update my file?
You must update your file by filing
- a current updating declaration within 30 business days of any change; or
- an annual updating declaration if the change was made during the production period.
You must also ensure that you amend your incorporating document, as the case may be, e.g. if the number of directors or the location of the head office has changed.
Must I pay fees when I file my annual updating declaration?
The filing of this declaration is free if it is submitted during the specified period, otherwise you must pay a late filing penalty.
Annual registration fees are payable and the payment must be appended to your income tax return. Should you fail to do so, Revenu Québec will calculate these fees and modify your income tax return accordingly.
A late penalty applies if you pay the fees payable after the specified period.
Does the information that I enter on my annual updating declaration filed online have legal force?
Yes. The Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises stipulates that the information in an annual updating declaration filed online has legal force, even if the declaration has not been signed.
If I do not fill out an annual updating declaration for the year under way, may I do so next year?
You can use the online annual updating declaration filing service to file your declaration for the preceding year. On the other hand, you will have to pay a late filing penalty.
What must I do if I wish to modify the contents of my annual updating declaration?
If your declaration is being processed, you can contact Services Québec to cancel it. If it has been filed in the enterprise register, you must file a current updating declaration to modify your file or a corrective updating declaration to correct any declaration that contains inaccurate information.
To determine whether your declaration is being processed or if it has been filed in the enterprise register, you can consult your file. To do so, you must use your identifier and NEQ to have clicSÉQUR express authenticate your identity. If you do not know the business's clicSÉQUR express access code, contact our client services. We will mail you a new code within 15 business days of your request.
11. Closure of an enterprise (striking off and dissolution)
Must I submit documents to the enterprise registrar if I decide to stop operating my enterprise?
Depending on the legal form of your enterprise, you must strike off your registration or dissolve your enterprise in the manner stipulated by the statute pursuant to which the enterprise was constituted. To obtain additional information, please consult the Modify your enterprise's file section on our website.
What must I do to regularize my file if my enterprise has been struck off ex officio because I failed to file two consecutive annual updating declarations?
If you failed to file two consecutive annual updating declarations, you must take the following steps:
- file an application for revocation of striking off by providing the Québec enterprise number (NEQ) assigned to you when you registered your enterprise;
- file the missing annual updating declarations;
- pay the requisite fees to Revenu Québec.
How can I determine whether an enterprise was dissolved voluntarily or if its registration was struck off ex officio because it failed to file two consecutive annual updating declarations?
You must consult the index of the enterprise’s archived documents in the archived documents section.
The following documents, as applicable, may appear in the archived documents section:
- striking off ex officio for failure to file annual declarations: notice of default and the indication “striking off ex officio” appear in the index of documents;
- voluntary dissolution of a business corporation: a notice of dissolution, a notice of appointment of a liquidator and a notice of closure appear in the index of documents. These three notices lead to the striking off ex officio of the dissolved corporation’s registration;
- voluntary dissolution of a legal person: the type of document “cancellation, liquidation, dissolution” appears in the index of documents. The instrument of dissolution leads to the striking off ex officio of the registration of the Québec legal person dissolved;
- voluntary striking off of a natural person or a legal person that is not constituted in Québec: a declaration of striking off appears in the index of documents.
Can I consult the enterprise register to determine whether an enterprise is bankrupt?
Yes. The enterprise register will contain this information once the new Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises comes into force.
To obtain additional information, we suggest that you contact the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy at Industry Canada.
12. Incorporation of a business corporation
I have incorporated a federal business corporation. Can I file the initial declaration free of charge?
No. Only business corporations incorporated pursuant to Québec statutes must file an initial declaration.
If your business corporation has been incorporated pursuant to federal statutes or those of a province other than Québec and you are obliged to register, or if you wish to register voluntarily, you must file a declaration of registration accompanied by the fees payable.
May a single person incorporate a business corporation?
Yes. However, the founder must be at least 18 years of age and not be subject to tutorship or curatorship, or declared incompetent by a court.
An undischarged bankrupt or a legal person in the process of liquidation may not act as the founder of a business corporation.
Is it more advantageous to register as a natural person operating a sole proprietorship or to incorporate a business corporation?
The incorporation of a business corporation limits the liability of the shareholders from the standpoint of their investment, while a natural person who operates a sole proprietorship assumes all of the risks and obligations.
We encourage you to consult a qualified legal advisor who will be able to advise you judiciously after analyzing your needs and discussing them with you.
Is it mandatory to follow the name of a Québec business corporation with the mention inc., ltée or s.a.?
If a corporation’s name does not include the term “société par actions” or “compagnie”, it must comprise the abbreviation “s.a.”, “ltée” or “inc.” at the end to indicate that the corporation is a limited-liability corporation (s. 20 of the Business Corporations Act).
Can I declare the other names used by my business corporation when I file my application for incorporation?
Yes, you can declare all of the other names that your business corporation uses by filling out the initial declaration.
Pursuant to s. 21 of the Business Corporations Act, a corporation may operate under and identify itself by a name other than its own if that other name does not contain the term:
- société par actions;
- compagnie;
- s.a. (société anonyme);
- ltée (limitée);
- inc. (incorporée).
It should be noted that a copy of your initial declaration will not be sent to you.
Is the legal name that I chose when I incorporated my business corporation protected?
Enterprise register staff may not attribute the name of an incorporated business corporation to another business corporation. However, it is the use of a name by the registrant that confers on the registrant rights in respect of this name. The registration of the name in the enterprise register simply establishes that the registrant is likely to use the name.
13. Registrants eligible for combined filing
Registrants eligible for combined filing may file their annual updating declarations and their income tax returns together and do not receive the annual updating declaration form. Instead, such registrants receive a letter informing them of the two options for filing their annual updating declarations:
- if the enterprise’s file is up to date, the registrant may inform the enterprise registrar accordingly and file its annual updating declaration by checking the appropriate box on its income tax return;
- if the enterprise’s file is not up to date, the registrant must declare any change by filing online its annual updating declaration.
Such registrants may also inform the enterprise registrar that their files are up to date by means of the online annual updating declaration service.
What types of enterprises may be eligible for combined filing?
This service is offered to all natural persons who operate a registered sole proprietorship and most registered legal persons.
Must I submit to Revenu Québec my annual updating declaration at the same time as my income tax return?
You may file your annual updating declaration and your income tax return together to simplify your life and facilitate the updating of the enterprise register.
The enterprises concerned may produce the annual update in two ways:
- by filing online their annual updating declaration, whether or not they wish to modify their file;
- by checking the appropriate box on their income tax return if there are no modifications to be made to their file.
Attention: You must include the payment of your annual registration fees with your income tax return.
14. Miscellaneous
Must an enterprise declare the name and address of the establishments where it engages in the retail sale of tobacco?
Yes. Any operator of a tobacco retail outlet must declare to the enterprise registrar the name and address of any establishment where the retail sale of tobacco occurs.
Is it mandatory to add the mention SENC, SEC or SENCRL to the name or after the name of a general partnership or a limited partnership?
The general partnership (SENC) or the limited partnership (SEC) must indicate its legal form in or after its name. It must also comply with the Civil Code and indicate its legal form after its name on its contracts, cheques, invoices, and so on, e.g. Les 2 Rives SENC.
The name of any general partnership with limited liability (SENCRL) must also contain or be followed by the legal form of the partnership.
Here is how to do so:
- General partnership (SENC)
The corporate name of any general partnership may contain the mention société en nom collectif or be followed by the initialism SENC. Its English name may include the mention General Partnership or be followed by the abbreviation GP.
- Limited partnership (SEC)
The corporate name of any limited partnership may contain the mention société en commandite or be followed by the initialism SEC. Its English name may include the mention Limited Partnership or be followed by the abbreviation LP.
- General partnership with limited liability (SENCRL)
The corporate name of any general partnership with limited liability may contain the mention société en nom collectif à responsabilité limitée or be followed by the initialism SENCRL. Its English name may include the mention Limited Liability Partnership or be followed by the abbreviation LLP.
15. Modernization of the enterprise registrar
Are online services accessible to legal persons incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act?
Legal persons have access to online services solely to transmit the requisite information pursuant to the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises. In all other cases, they must continue to use printed forms, as required by the Companies Act.
Following the coming into force on February 14, 2011 of the Business Corporations Act, may a legal person incorporated under Part I of the Companies Act request its continuance under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act?
Yes. The legal person will have five years to submit an application for continuance pursuant to the new Act. If it fails to comply with this rule within the specified time, the legal person will be automatically dissolved.
Who may submit a declaration by means of online services?
Any person may use the enterprise registrar's online services to register an enterprise or incorporate a business corporation without access code. On the other hand, once the enterprise has been registered or the business corporation incorporated, they must use their clicSÉQUR express code automatically transmitted to them to access online services that require authentication.
Will it be possible from now on to declare to the enterprise register that a legal person incorporated in Québec has been released from bankruptcy?
Yes. The trustee in bankruptcy of the legal person incorporated in Québec must file a declaration of striking off when the court has released the legal person from its obligations.
May registrants that went bankrupt prior to the coming into force of the new Act oblige their trustee in bankruptcy to file an application for striking off with the enterprise register?
The trustee in bankruptcy of any enterprise or any legal person already registered that has declared bankruptcy prior to the coming into force of the new Act should file a declaration of striking off in accordance with the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises.
When other names that an enterprise uses are declared to the enterprise registrar, are they automatically recorded in the enterprise register?
No. Some time may elapse before the enterprise registrar accepts or refuses one of the other names that the enterprise declares. If a name is refused, the refusal is indicated in the enterprise register.
May an enterprise declare other names for subsequent use?
No. It must declare only the names that it is using.
Does the declaration of a name in the enterprise register confer rights on the registrant in respect of the use of the name?
No. Only the use of the name confers rights on its user.
Are printed forms still available?
Any interested person may request printed forms by telephone or email from Services Québec. The enterprise registrar makes available PDF versions of forms for certain procedures that are not available through online services.
What are the terms of payment for online services?
Payment can be made:
- by credit card;
- by cheque (print the remittance slip that the system generates and send it and a cheque by mail);
- in person at one of the two Services Québec offices (the one in Québec City and the one in Montréal) that provide services related to the enterprise register.
If you pay by cheque, the enterprise registrar will only process your request once payment is received, which can prolong the processing time.
Is it possible to save an incomplete request?
Yes. The request will be preserved for 90 days and you can complete it or alter it before submitting it.
I already have a code that allows me to access the enterprise registrar’s information return and amending declaration filing services. Is it still valid?
No. The code expired on February 14, 2011. You must now use the clicSÉQUR express code sent to you to access the enterprise registrar’s online services.
Are the universal access codes given to accredited intermediaries still valid?
No. They have been replaced by a clicSÉQUR express code.
May an enterprise that is eligible for combined filing whose information in the enterprise register is accurate check the appropriate box when it files its income tax return, then attach to it payment for its annual registration fee?
Yes. This option is still available to enterprises that make a combined filing that do not have to update the information concerning them recorded in the enterprise register.
Have the fees changed?
Yes. Certain amendments to the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises have led to changes in the fees. To determine the applicable fees, please consult the section “fee schedule and terms of payment.”
May clients use several methods of payment to pay the fees pertaining to a request?
No. Since February 14, 2011, clients must pay the full amount due using a single method of payment, i.e. credit card, debit card, cheque or cash.
May an enterprise file a current updating declaration instead of an annual updating declaration?
Yes. If an enterprise has filed a current updating declaration and paid the annual fee in the year under way prior to the specified period for filing the annual updating declaration, it is deemed to have fulfilled its obligations.
If a company initiated the procedures leading to its dissolution pursuant to the Companies Act when the new Business Corporations Act came into force, must it file a new application for dissolution as stipulated in the new Act?
Applications for dissolution filed pursuant to the Companies Act prior to the date of coming into force of the new Act will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the former Act if they have been submitted with all of the requisite documents, including the notice published in a newspaper.