Document background
The Certificate Of Incorporation Short Form is a crucial legal document required when establishing a new corporation in Canada. It serves as the primary evidence of a company's legal existence and is issued by either federal (Corporations Canada) or provincial authorities. This document is necessary when founding a new business entity that wishes to operate as a corporation, providing protection through limited liability and establishing the basic framework for corporate governance. The certificate contains fundamental information about the corporation including its name, business number, registered office address, share structure, and initial directors. The document must comply with the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) for federal incorporations or relevant provincial legislation for provincial incorporations. It is typically required for various business activities such as opening corporate bank accounts, entering into contracts, and demonstrating legal status to stakeholders.
