Annual return
A corporation files it each year within six months of its fiscal year-end. It is separate from your corporate tax return.
Ontario Business Registry Access
Ontario Company Key Help for Your Business Registry Access
Every business in the Ontario Business Registry needs a company key to file anything online. We help Ontario corporations and business owners request their key, sort out the email and address it is sent to, and set up their registry account, so annual returns and updates get filed on time.
- Request your company key, or a replacement for a lost one
- Fix the contact details your key is sent to
- Set up your Ontario Business Registry account
- 9 digitsin every Ontario company key
- 2,300+individuals & businesses served
- 4offices in Ontario & Alberta
What is an Ontario company key?
The company key is a 9-digit code that is unique to your business. The Ontario government treats it like a PIN: it proves you are allowed to make changes to your entry in the Ontario Business Registry. Every corporation, business name and other entity in the registry must use one to do any transaction, whether you file yourself or someone files for you.
Most owners meet the key the first time they need to file a return, update an address or renew a registration and discover they have never had one, or that it was sent to an email address nobody reads any more. Lira Tax & Accounting helps you get past that quickly and then keeps your filings on track.
Ideal forOwners and directors who have never received a company key, lost theirs, or whose email or address on file is out of date.
- Who we help
- Corporations that have never set up registry access
- Owners who lost or misplaced their key
- Businesses with an old email or address on file
- New directors and officers
- Sole proprietors and partnerships with a registered name
- Owners who want an accountant to file for them
What does a company key let you do?
The registry handles more than 90 online transactions. These are the ones most owners come for.
Notice of change
Report a new address, director or officer within 15 days. Business names use an amended registration.
Business name registration
Renew or amend a sole proprietorship or partnership name before it lapses.
Cancel or dissolve
Close a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation properly through the registry.
How to get an Ontario company key
You request it online from the ministry. How fast it arrives depends on what the registry has on file for your business.
Your email is current
The ministry emails the key to the address on file.
Sent right awayThere is no email on file
The key is mailed to your registered or head office address, or your principal place of business.
Several days by mailYour address has changed
You may be able to answer a few verification questions online to have the key emailed instead.
Several business daysThe key itself is free when you request it from the ministry. If the details on file are wrong, the fix is to update them with the registry. We can do that with you.
How to set up your Ontario Business Registry account
Four steps, in this order, the first time you use the registry.
-
1
Request your company key
Free from the ministry, by email or by mail.
-
2
Ontario.ca Login
Sign in with your existing login or create one. Keep the key handy.
-
3
Ontario Business Account
Create it when prompted after you sign in. It holds your registry access.
-
4
Link your business
Search for your business, enter the key when asked, and it appears in your account.
A business registered before the registry launched on October 19, 2021 already has a profile, but you still complete this setup the first time.
How to share and protect your company key
Whoever has the key can make changes to your business's registry entry, so treat it like a PIN.
Do
- Keep it private and confidential
- Share it only with a trusted intermediary, such as a lawyer or accountant
- Expect your filer to claim Delegated Authority in the registry
- Tell the ministry as soon as a key is lost, stolen or misused, so a replacement can be requested
Don’t
- Don’t give it to anyone you do not trust
- Don’t leave a lost or misused key unreported
- Don’t let the email and address on file go out of date: changes must be reported within 15 days
What our Ontario company key service covers
-
Key request or replacement
We request your key, or help you get a replacement if one was lost or misused.
-
Contact details corrected
We update the email and address on file, so the key and every notice reach you.
-
Registry account set-up
Ontario.ca Login, Ontario Business Account and linking your business, done with you.
-
Filings made for you
Annual returns, notices of change and renewals filed on your behalf, with your authorization.
-
Kept confidential
Your key is used only for the filings you ask for.
-
Deadlines tracked
Your annual return and renewal dates noted, so nothing slips.
What stays with the ministry
The ministry issues and delivers the key and decides whether your answers to the verification questions are accepted, so no one can promise a delivery date. What we do is make sure the details on file are right, the request is complete and your filings are made on time.
How much does company key help cost?
The company key itself is free from the ministry. What you pay us for is the help around it, and every business needs something different, so we quote each one individually. You will know what we charge before we start.
-
Key situationA first key, a replacement or a corrected address.
-
Registry set-upWhether we also set up your account.
-
FilingsAnnual returns and notices to file now.
-
EntitiesOne business or several.
-
Catching upOverdue filings or changes never reported.
-
TimingA relaxed timeline, or a fast start.
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Clear quote agreed before we start
- No hidden fees or surprise billing
Prefer to talk it through first? Call us, or send a quote request.
Call (437) 421-7171 Request a QuoteCompany key help across Canada
Get directionsMeet us in person at any of our four offices, or work with us by phone and video. The Ontario Business Registry is online, so we can help Ontario businesses wherever you are.
Outside Ontario or Alberta? We can still help.
Ask about your situation
If your Ontario corporation is run from another province, or you simply want help with the registry from afar, we work with owners across Canada by phone and video.
What our business clients say
View other testimonials★★★★★
“I have been to number of accountants for my multiple business ventures, however i found Mr. Razu from Lira Tax and Accounting to be one of the better ones. He is very informative and easily accessible. He is always answering calls and helping small business owners to do their taxes properly. I highly recommend.”
★★★★★
“I had a great experience with Lira Tax & Accounting. The team is professional, knowledgeable, and really goes the extra mile to make things simple and stress-free. They explained everything clearly and took the time to answer all of my questions with patience.
What stood out to me most was their attention to detail and how committed they were to making sure my tax filing was accurate and worked in my favor. I felt confident knowing everything was being handled properly. Their service is reliable, efficient, and the team is also very approachable.
Whether you need help with personal taxes or business accounting, I'd highly recommend Lira Tax & Accounting. They're trustworthy, responsive, and provide excellent value. I'll definitely continue working with them in the future. Thank you for your support. We are happy to give you Five star again 2026 for you excellent services.”
★★★★★
“I had the best experience with Lira Tax & Accounting! From start to finish, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free, addressing all my questions with patience and clarity. I truly felt like a valued client, and their attention to detail was outstanding. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and top-notch tax and accounting services in Canada! They are the best tax and accounting service provider in the town. wish you all the best for help us. Lovely service bring back me again 2026.
Lovely help they done for our business.”
Company key FAQs: lost keys, delivery and access
Straight answers to the questions Ontario business owners ask us most.
A 9-digit code that is unique to your business and works like a PIN. It lets you use the Ontario Business Registry to make changes to your business's entry, and it should be kept private and confidential.
Yes, if you want to file or change anything. Every entity in the Ontario Business Registry must use a company key to do any transaction, whether it files directly, through an intermediary or through a service provider.
Yes. The ministry issues it free of charge when you request it directly. Our service is the help around it: requesting it, correcting the details it is sent to, setting up your registry account and filing for you.
You request it online from the ministry. If an email address is on file, the key is emailed right away. If not, it is mailed to the registered or head office address or your principal place of business, which can take several days.
Tell the ministry as soon as you know it has been lost, stolen or misused, so a replacement can be requested. We can start that with you and make sure the new key goes to an address you control.
Often, yes. If your business address has changed, you may be able to answer verification questions online to have the key emailed within several business days. Changes to your information must be reported within 15 days, and we can file that update for you.
It depends on what is on file: right away by email, several days by mail, or several business days after the verification questions. The ministry controls delivery, so we cannot promise a date.
Yes. You can give your key to a trusted intermediary, such as a lawyer or accountant, so they can complete transactions for you. They must obtain the key from you and claim Delegated Authority in the registry, and you should share it only with someone you trust.
An existing registered business, your company key, an Ontario.ca Login and an Ontario Business Account. You request the key, sign in or create your login, create the account when prompted, then search for your business and enter the key.
Yes. Every entity in the registry uses one, including business name registrations, for example when you renew or amend a registration.
File your corporation's annual return within six months of your fiscal year-end, report changes within 15 days, renew or amend a business name registration, update company information, or cancel or dissolve a business.
It depends on your situation: a first key, a replacement, corrected contact details, registry set-up and any filings. We quote every job individually, and the key itself is free from the ministry. Book a free consultation and you will have a clear quote before we start.
Official sources we check
We confirm the rules on the Ontario government's own pages. You can read them too:
- Ontario Business Registryontario.ca (opens the official site in a new tab)
- Setting up your Ontario Business Registry profileontario.ca (opens the official site in a new tab)
- Start, dissolve and change a corporationontario.ca (opens the official site in a new tab)
Checked against these pages in October 2026. Rules and processes change, so we confirm the current steps for your business before we start.
Related services for your business
View other servicesAnnual Return Filing
File your corporation's annual return on time.
Learn moreBusiness Name Change
Report a new name and keep your registry entry correct.
Learn moreRegister/Renew a Business
Register or renew a business name.
Learn moreOntario Incorporation
Starting a corporation? Your key comes with it.
Learn moreBusiness Dissolution
Close a business the right way.
Learn moreNUANS Business Name Search
Check a name is available before you file.
Learn moreGuides for business owners
How Legal Consultants Can Help Manage Risk in Your Organization
In today's complex and dynamic business environment, managing risk is a critical aspect of ensuring the long-term succe…
Read the guide
Some Great Arguments To Get Bookkeeping Services For Your Startup
Starting a business can be a lot of work, and it cannot be easy to keep track of all the financial information. Bookkee…
Read the guide
6 Small Reasons to Hire Bookkeeping Professionals
Bookkeeping is an essential aspect of managing a small business. However, not all small business owners have the expert…
Read the guideLet’s get your registry access sorted
Book a free consultation. We will work out where your key stands, explain the quickest route and give you a clear quote, with no obligation.
