Incorporating in Alberta requires a short, fixed set of filings. Every Alberta corporation needs four documents: Articles of Incorporation, a Notice of Address, a Notice of Directors, and a Notice of Agent for Service. A named corporation also needs a NUANS report. A numbered corporation does not.
If you are still choosing between a sole proprietorship and a corporation, read Comparing Business Structures: Sole Proprietor vs Corporation.
The Required Documents
Document | What it records |
Articles of Incorporation | The corporation's name, its share classes and any other rules you include |
Notice of Address | The registered office in Alberta |
Notice of Directors | The directors and their addresses |
Notice of Agent for Service | The Alberta individual who accepts legal notices and documents |
NUANS report | A name search (named corporations only) |
These documents are filed through an authorized Corporate Registry service provider, which enters them into the registry.
Articles of Incorporation
The Articles create the corporation and set its basic terms. They include the legal name, the classes of shares the corporation can issue, and any restrictions you want on share transfers. The name must end with a legal element, such as Ltd., Inc., Corp., or Limited.
Later changes to the Articles are made by filing articles of amendment. The original filing is not edited.
Notice of Address
The Notice of Address records the corporation's registered office, which must be in Alberta. For more on Alberta addresses and who can own or direct a corporation, read Who Can Incorporate a Business in Alberta?. A CorpDiem incorporation includes our services as registered records office and agent for service for one year and renews if you use our annual return filing services.
Notice of Directors
Every corporation needs at least one director, and each director must be an adult aged 18 or older. Alberta removed its director residency requirement on March 29, 2021, so directors do not need to be Canadian residents. When a director or an address changes the corporation must report the change to its service provider within 15 days.
Notice of Agent for Service
Every Alberta corporation must appoint an agent for service. This is an individual resident in Alberta who accepts legal notices and documents on the corporation's behalf. The agent must agree to the appointment. The requirement has applied to new Alberta incorporations since March 29, 2021. If the agent changes, the corporation must update the registry as soon as the change occurs. A CorpDiem incorporation includes our services as registered records office and agent for service for one year and renews if you use our annual return filing services.
NUANS Report for a Named Corporation
A NUANS report searches for corporate names and trademarks that are identical or too similar to your proposed name. Alberta does not allow two corporations to have identical names, so the search is an important check before you file.
A numbered corporation, such as 785843 Alberta Inc., does not need a NUANS report. Corporate Registry assigns the number, and the name still ends with Alberta and a legal element. NUANS name reports are included in CorpDiem’s incorporation at no extra cost.
Identification and Other Information
The forms also require the legal names and addresses of the directors and the details of the agent for service. Your service provider may ask for identification as well. Confirm its requirements before you file.
What Happens After Filing
If the information meets the registry requirements, the service provider enters it into the Corporate Registry and issues a certificate of incorporation. Keep the certificate with the corporation's records.
Regulated Professionals Have Additional Rules
Some regulated professions have their own corporation rules. These can affect the permitted name, who may own shares, and whether regulatory approval is needed before filing. Confirm your regulator's requirements before you choose a corporation type.
Official Sources
Business Corporations Act (Alberta), director qualifications and agent for service requirements
Sources reviewed October 2026.
Information Note
This page provides general information about Alberta corporate filing requirements. It is not legal, accounting or tax advice and does not determine which documents apply to a particular business. Consult a lawyer about your corporate structure and your accountant about tax.
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