NUANS Name Searches

Centro Legal Works Inc. is proud to be a registered search house with Industry Canada!

What is NUANS? How it Works When is it required? Elements of a Corporate Name

What is NUANS?

NUANS stands for " N ewly U pgraded A utomated N ame S earch". It is a registered trademark of the government of Canada and the software and data are the property of Industry Canada. It is a large computer program maintained by Industry Canada used to compare proposed corporate, business or trademark names with a database of existing and proposed corporate, business and trademarks. A listing of the most similar existing and proposed names will be produced in a five-page report, which includes corporate names, business names and trademarks.

How it works

Step 1 - You provide up to 3 names (maximum) when placing an order in the order of preference.

Step 2 - One of our search consultants will conduct preliminary name searches to determine if there are any exact or similar matches found. The preliminary results along with our comments will be emailed to you for review.

Step 3 - Once you have reviewed the preliminary search results and our comments, you will notify us of your name decision and instruct us to proceed. We will then order the official Nuans Name Report, which will reserve the name for 90 calender days. The reports are available in about an hour.

The search fee covers the process outlined in these 3 steps and will provide 1 Nuans Name search report.

Preliminary Name Searches: Preliminary search screen prints will be provided for up to a maximum of 3 names and their variations. Additional search fees may apply if different names are provided. If all 3 names result in a potential conflict and the order is cancelled a minimum $15 plus HST preliminary search fee will apply.

Note: The Nuans Database can be up to two weeks behind. Please be sure to review the Database Update dates provided in the Preliminary search results (screen prints). For example, Ontario can be up to two weeks behind. Therefore, even if the preliminary search results show no exact or similar matches found, there are NO guarantees that the name will be available. The Nuans report has to be examined.

Different procedures apply to Federal (Canada) Names, please see the conditions below.

When is it required?

A NUANS Name search is required for the following types of filings:

• A new Ontario Incorporation (both profit and non-profit)
• A new Canada (Federal) Incorporation *See notes on Federal NUANS Name Searches.
• Changing a corporate name (Articles of Amendment)
• If a corporation is amalgamating with another corporation (s) and operates under a new name
• An extra-provincial Corporation that wishes to continue in Ontario

Elements of a Corporate Name

A corporate name should consist of 3 elements, a distinctive element, a descriptive element and a legal element.

• The distinctive element can be a dictionary word or a word thought of by the user in order to produce a unique name and distinguish it from others. It can consist of initials, a made-up word, a last name etc.
• The descriptive element is a word or words that describe the type or nature of the business. Please see the examples in the chart below.
• The legal element is mandatory and identifies the name as a corporation.

The following are valid for use as legal elements: Limited, Ltd., Corporation, Corp., Incorporation, Inc.

Basic rules to follow when thinking of a name: The name must not have a name that is of a known: Existing Corporation, Trust, Association, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship, or Individual The name must be distinctive. The name must not cause confusion with any existing name or trademark . The name must include a legal element. The name must not include unacceptable or prohibited terms.

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