Calling All Sleuths! Unveiling the Mystery of the Ontario Corporation Number
Ever felt like a detective when you track down the perfect pair of shoes online? Well, buckle up because this quest might be even more thrilling (okay, maybe not that thrilling, but definitely important). Today's mission: Finding the Ontario Corporation Number (OCN) for a mystery corporation!
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| How To Find Business Number For Ontario Corporation |
Why Crack This Case?
QuickTip: Read actively, not passively.
There are many reasons you might need an OCN. Maybe you're a freelancer and need to verify a client's legitimacy before diving into a project. Perhaps you're a networking extraordinaire and want to check out a potential business partner. Whatever your motive, the OCN is your key to unlocking a corporation's secret identity (well, not exactly a secret, but you get the idea).
So, How Do We Unmask This Corporate Chameleon?
Tip: Each paragraph has one main idea — find it.
Fear not, fellow explorers! Here are a few ways to sniff out that OCN:
The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) is Your First Stop: Think of the OBR as the central filing cabinet for all things Ontario business-related. You can search for a corporation by its name or, if you're feeling fancy, its OCN (if you already know it). The best part? This search is completely free! Just a heads up, the OBR won't reveal the corporation's phone number or email – those are classified as "administrative information" and require a paid search product.
The CRA Might Have the Dish: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is another potential goldmine. Many corporations also have a Business Number (BN) issued by the CRA. Now, the BN isn't the same as the OCN, but sometimes you can find the OCN listed alongside the BN on the corporation's website or other public documents.
Become a Private Investigator (AKA Ask the Corporation Directly): This might seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If you have contact information for the corporation, reach out and inquire about their OCN. They'll likely be happy to provide it.
Bonus Tip: If you're dealing with a corporation registered before October 19th, 2021, their Business Name Registration (BNR) might hold the key. The BNR number often doubles as the OCN for older corporations.
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
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**Remember: The OCN might be a 9-digit number (for pre-October 2021 registrations) or a snazzy 10-digit number (for registrations after October 2021).
**Finding the OCN Doesn't Have to Be a Taxing Experience (See what we did there?) With a little perseverance and these handy tips, you'll be an OCN-finding extraordinaire in no time!
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
**FAQ: Crack the OCN Code in Five Easy Steps
How to Search the OBR? Head to the Ontario government website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-business-registry) and explore the OBR search functions.
How to Find the CRA Business Number? The CRA website (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html) has information on Business Numbers and how to search for them.
How to Check an Old Business Name Registration? Contact the service provider who issued the BNR or try searching for the corporation name with the pre-October 2021 date range in mind.
Still Stuck? Don't be afraid to ask the corporation directly for their OCN.
Is There a Fee to Find the OCN? Searching the OBR is free, but some paid search products offer more detailed information.
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