Register a Sole Proprietorship

What is a Sole Proprietorship?

When you run a business as the sole owner, under a name other than your personal name, you will need to register this Sole Proprietorship. In operating under a Sole Proprietorship registered to you personally, you take on all of the debts and liabilities of the business. In Alberta, the terms “Trade Name” and “Sole Proprietorship” are used interchangeably.

Sole Proprietorship Advantages:

• Low cost to set up
• Very little annual maintenance (only small fee to let Corporate Registry know if you move or change your name)
• Simple business structure

Sole Proprietorship Disadvantages:

• No liability protection
• May have fewer tax advantages or options to distribute revenue from the company. Please consult your lawyer.
• Cannot protect the company name

Registering a Sole Proprietorship is a simple process and takes only about 10 minutes – we can do it at the counter while you wait.

How to Register a Sole Proprietorship

Fill out the Declaration of Trade Name form. We can also provide the form in our office. The key information that you will need to know in order to fill out this form:

1. The full legal name and address of the owners of the business.
2. The type of products or services the business will offer.
3. The city, town or village in Alberta where the business will be located.
4. The business name you have selected.
5. The date the business started. The commencement date may be in the past or up to six months in the future.

Please also be prepared to show valid government-issued ID (passport, Driver’s Licence or PR Card) and to pay the $55 Sole Proprietorship Registration Fee.

Terminating a Sole Proprietorship

If you are no longer going to be using the Sole Proprietorship to conduct your business, it is recommended that you come into East Calgary Registry to close the Sole Proprietorship so that it is no longer associated with you.