Master Business License Ontario

Master business license Ontario requirements

Master Business License was Ontario’s provincial Business Registration License that allowed unincorporated businesses to operate business in Ontario.

• Sole proprietors, general partnerships, and corporations are eligible to apply for a Master Business License (MBL).
• Choose a unique and available business name. You can check availability through the Ontario Business Registry.
• Hence, it is an unincorporated business you cannot use legal endings like “corporation,” “incorporated,” or “limited”
• You must clearly define the structure of your business

                Sole Proprietorship: Single person Own and operate it

                General Partnership: Two or More persons Own and operate it

                Corporation Operating Under a Trade Name: If a corporation wants to operate using a name different from its legal name.

• Details about the owner(s) of the business, including:
• Full legal name(s).
• Address(es).
• Contact information (phone number, email).
• Business Address & Business Activities

Who needs a master business license in Ontario?

A Master Business License (MBL) is required for individuals or entities that want to operate a business under a name that is different from their legal name. The following types of businesses typically need an MBL:

Sole Proprietorship: If an individual runs a business and wants to use a name other than his/her own personal name (e.g., “John Smith” wants to operate as “Smith’s Landscaping”), he/she requires to register for Master Business License (MBL)

General Partnership: When two or more individuals run a business together under a specific Business name (e.g., “John Smith” and “Jane Doe” operate as “Smith & Doe Plumbing”), they must obtain a Master Business License (MBL) to register the partnership’s business name.

Corporations Operating Under a Trade Name: Corporations that want to operate using a name other than their legally registered Ontario corporation name (e.g., “ABC Manufacturing Inc.” operates under the trade name “ABC Gardening”) must register the trade name through Master Business License (MBL). This does not replace the corporate registration but is required for the alternate business name. It is also called DBA or Operating name.

Who Does Not Need a Master Business License?

Individuals using their own legal name (e.g., “John Smith” running the business as “John Smith”) do not need an MBL.

Corporations using their registered corporate name (e.g., “ABC Manufacturing Inc.” operating directly as “ABC Manufacturing Inc.”) do not need to register a separate trade name through a Master Business License (MBL).

Where to get a Master business License Ontario

The Easiest and most convenient way to apply for a Master Business License is through the Service Ontario if you have appropriate knowledge of it. Because there are some legal terms that you need to know to do it by yourself.  

You can also apply through third-party service providers that are authorized by Service Ontario to process business registrations. These companies may charge additional service fees but can help expedite the process and provide extra services like business consulting.

Some of the intermediaries include:

• Business Ontario Corporate Services Inc.
• RegiCorp Inc.
• Ontario Corporation Centre
• Incorp Pro

We, Business Ontario Corporate Service, are also authorized intermediate partner providers with Service Ontario. We proudly register thousands of master business licenses in Ontario. We offer all kinds of Business and corporate-related services that are offered by Service Ontario through our friendly Online website.

Our service includes access to the Ontario Business Registry (OBR), registering a business in Ontario, registering your business name, filing corporate documents, and update master business license in Ontario, master business license renewal, and other business information.

Master Business License vs Business Name Registration

Master Business License (MBL) and Business Name Registration are closely related. Business Name Registration in Ontario is the updated modern name of an unincorporated business, and Master Business License (MBL) is the formal name of Business name registration in Ontario. Business Name Registration is the act of registering a business name with the government. The Master Business License (MBL) is the certificate you receive as proof of registration, allowing you to legally operate under the registered business name.

How to Renew a Master Business License in Ontario

To renew  Master Business License in Ontario is straightforward. To renew your Master Business License (MBL) you just need to follow a few simple steps with us:

Check Expiration Date: Your MBL is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. It is near expiration you need to renew your Master Business License (MBL)

Prepare Required Information:

To renew your MBL, you’ll need the following information:

• Business Name
• Business Identification Number (BIN)
• Owner Information

Update Master Business License Ontario

You can make some specific changes to your Registered Master Business License:

• Updating your business address
• Adding or removing business partners
• Altering your business activities

Please remember once you register your Master Business License you cannot change owner. To change owner you must cancel your Master Business License and register a new Master Business License. When you Register a business in Ontario whether it is an Ontario sole proprietorship, an Ontario partnership, or an Ontario trade name, you must keep your business registration or master business license in Ontario up to date. We already mentioned that every master business license in Ontario is valid for 5 years, so after the validity period, you must renew it. Any changes to your master business license Ontario, address, or owner’s name must be updated within a timeframe with the Ontario Business Registry.

Master Business License Vs Articles of Incorporation

Master Business License (MBL) is primarily for unincorporated businesses like sole proprietorships and partnerships, or corporations using a trade name.

Articles of Incorporation are the main document of a corporation. It creates a separate legal entity with limited liability, which offers more legal protection but requires more regulatory compliance and ongoing maintenance.

If you want to run a small business with personal liability or operate under a trade name, the Master Business License is the document you need. If you are looking to incorporate a corporation with limited liability, you’ll need to file Articles of Incorporation.

Does A Master Business License Expire

Yes, a Master Business License (BIN) in Ontario does expire. Typically, the renewal period is five years. Failure to renew on time may automatically cancel Master Business License.

How long is a Master Business License Ontario valid?

Although Master Business License Ontario’s name has changed, the 5-year validity remains the same. Previously, Every Master Business license in Ontario was valid for 5 years, after the validity period, every Master Business License in Ontario must be renewed. Even now, every Ontario Sole Proprietorship, Ontario partnership, and Ontario Trade name (that was Previously called Master Business License Ontario) is valid for 5 years. 

After 5 years, you will need to update master business license in Ontario with the Ontario Business Registry. That means master business license renewal is mandatory after 5 years of its validity. You can renew your master business license in Ontario before 60 days of its expiration or 60 days grace days.

How to cancel a Master Business License

To cancel or discontinue your Master Business License (MBL) in Ontario, you need to notify the Ontario government that you are no longer operating your business under the registered name. This is typically referred to as canceling your business name registration.

At first, determine the Reason for Cancellation. There are many reasons an MBL can cancel like closing the business, or changing business structure (from a sole proprietorship to a corporation).

Please keep in mind No refunds are issued for canceling your Master Business License before the 5-year expiration. If the business is incorporated and you cancel the Master Business License for a trade name, the corporation itself remains active unless you take separate steps to dissolve it.