Quebec Name Search

A company’s name must be unique in the province of Quebec. The company name must be French and may have an English version that is a direct translation of the French name. When you apply for articles of incorporation you must also prove its uniqueness by completing a Name Search.

A name search report provides a list of names extracted from the register of sole proprietorships, partnerships and legal persons and is based on the name you would like to use for your corporation.

The report lists names that are identical or very similar to your proposed name.

Your company name must not:

1. contravene the Charter of the French language (chapter C-11)
2. be offensive or obscene
3. falsely suggest that the corporation is a non-profit group
4. falsely suggest that the corporation is a public authority or related to a public authority or related to another person, partnership or group
5. be identical to a name used by another person, partnership or group in Quebec
6. be confusingly similar to a name used by another person, partnership or group in Quebec
7. mislead third persons in any manner
8. incorrectly indicate the company’s juridicial form, or fail to indicate such form where so required by law