Table of contents

Overview

Once your business or organization is incorporated, you can change the legal structure of your organization through an amend notice.

Virtual meetings

Organizations can provide meeting notices, conduct meetings and hold votes using digital technology, if their bylaws do not prohibit it.

If organizations want to meet and vote in person, or if their bylaws already allow for online meeting and voting, no changes are required.

If organizations want to meet and vote electronically, but their bylaws prohibit such actions, the bylaws need to be adjusted.

Cost

Service providers will charge a service fee for filing amend notices for Alberta and out-of-province corporations.

Registry agent product catalogue

Alberta corporation

Amendment or amalgamation

Amendment

A corporation can change its name, share capital and other parts of its legal structure. These changes are made by way of amendment, arrangement, reorganization, or restated articles of incorporation. Arrangements and reorganizations also require a court order to authorize the change to the corporation's legal structure.

Amalgamation

Two or more Alberta corporations can join together (amalgamate) to become one new corporation. Alberta corporations can amalgamate with corporations formed outside Alberta as long as the result is a new Alberta corporation.  Amalgamations can also happen by court-ordered arrangement.

Continuance out of Alberta

Alberta corporations may continue out of Alberta to become a corporation in another province or country.

Amendments, amalgamations, and continuances out of Alberta must be registered with Corporate Registry before they take effect.

Seek legal advice if you are not sure which registration is best for your situation.

Step 1. Get an Alberta NUANS report

You need to get an Alberta NUANS report for most name change amendments and amalgamations to make sure there is no other corporation with an identical name or a name that is too similar to your proposed corporation name.

You do not need a NUANS report when:

  • the corporation is changing its name to a "number name" assigned by Corporate Registry (for example: 9999999 Alberta Ltd.)
  • the new amalgamated corporation's name is identical to the name of one of the amalgamating Alberta corporations' names or the new corporation's name will be a number name assigned by Corporate Registry

The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days. The original report must be submitted with the forms and be less than 91 days old.

Find a NUANS service provider

Step 2. Fill out the forms

The forms you fill out depend on what kind of change you are making.

PDF form issues

Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:

  1. Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
  2. Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.

If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.

Amendment

Amalgamation

Continuance out of Alberta

Put your request in writing.

Step 3. Take your information to a service provider

You need to take your form to an authorized Alberta service provider. You will need to take:

  • your articles
  • NUANS report
  • valid ID
  • fee payment

You may also need other documents, such as a court order, amalgamation agreement, or authorization to continue into Alberta, depending of the type of registration you need.

If your information meets requirements, the service provider will enter it into the Corporate Registry computer system and give you a certificate for the registration.

You also need to register your Alberta corporation's name change, amalgamation or continuance in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan if you are doing business in those provinces.

Out-of-province corporation

If your corporation's home province is British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan:

  • You must apply and pay for an Alberta Reservation Report (NUANS report) for the corporation's new name, if you have not already done so. This report shows if the new name can be used in Alberta.
  • You must register the new name you are now using in your home province. There is no cost to register the new name.  Note:  if your corporation's new name is a number-based name assigned from your home province, such as 1234566 Saskatchewan Ltd. your home province will report the name change to Alberta Corporate Registry.  No further action is required.
  • You must register an amalgamation that took place in your home province if the new corporation will also carry on business in Alberta.  There is no cost to register the amalgamation.  It will be treated as a new out-of-province registration.
  • An Alberta Reservation Report (NUANS report) will be required unless the name of the new corporation is a number name, assigned by your home province, such as 343435 British Columbia Inc.
  • You can do both steps through Alberta's Online Extra-Provincial Registration or you can purchase an Alberta Name Reservation report from a NUANS provider.

If your corporation is from another province or country, you must submit changes to your legal structure to Corporate Registry within 30 days of the change. This includes:

  • changing your corporation's name
  • changing your corporation’s charter/articles of incorporation
  • changing your home jurisdiction
  • amalgamations
  • continuance into Alberta

Step 1. Get an Alberta NUANS report

You will need to get an Alberta NUANS report if your out-of-province corporation has changed its name:

  • in the home province or country
  • because of amalgamation with a new name
  • because of continuance from another province or country with a corporation name that has not been registered in Alberta previously

This report shows if the new name can be used in Alberta.

You will not need a NUANS report when the new name is a number name assigned by the home province or country or when the out-of-province corporation is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days. The complete report must be submitted with the forms and must be less than 91 days old.

Find a NUANS service provider

Step 2. Fill out the forms

The forms you fill out will depend on what kind of change you are making.

Amendment

Amalgamation

Continuance into Alberta

Step 3. Take your information to a service provider

You need to take your form to an authorized Alberta service provider. You need to take:

  • your forms
  • NUANS report
  • valid ID
  • fee payment

In the case of amalgamation or change to the charter, you will also need to provide certified-true copies of the updated or new charter documents and certificates from the home province or country.

If your information meets requirements, the service provider will enter it into the Corporate Registry computer system and give you a certificate or proof of filing for the registration.

Alberta cooperative

Amendment or amalgamation

Amendment

A cooperative can change its name, share capital and other parts of its legal structure. These changes are made by way of amendment, arrangement, reorganization, or restated articles of incorporation. Arrangements and reorganizations also require a court order to authorize the change to the cooperative’s legal structure.

Amalgamation

Two or more Alberta cooperatives can join together (amalgamate) to become one new cooperative.

An Alberta cooperative can also amalgamate with an extra-provincial cooperative. Amalgamations can also happen by court-ordered arrangement.

Continuance out of Alberta

Alberta cooperatives may continue out of Alberta to become a cooperative in another province or country.

Amendments, amalgamations, and continuances must be registered with Director of Cooperatives before they take effect.

Seek legal advice if you are not sure which registration is best for your situation.

Contact the office of the Director of Cooperatives for specific instructions and forms.

Email: [email protected]

Mail or drop off address:

Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Director of Cooperatives
3C, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Out-of-province cooperative

If your cooperative's home province is British Columbia or Saskatchewan, there are special streamlined processes for you. Contact your home jurisdiction registry office for information.

BC Corporate Registry

Saskatchewan Corporate Registry

If your cooperative is from another province or country, you must submit changes to your legal structure to Director of Cooperatives within 30 days of the change. This includes:

  • changing your cooperative's name
  • changing your cooperative’s charter/articles of incorporation
  • changing your home jurisdiction
  • amalgamations

Contact the office of the Director of Cooperatives for specific instructions and forms.

Email: [email protected]

Mail or drop off address:

Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Director of Cooperatives
3C, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Non-profit organization

Cost

You will have to pay a fee for the following types of amendments:

  • Amalgamation: $25
  • Change of name: $25
  • Change of memorandum (objectives/capital): $25
  • Change of articles: no charge

Step 1. Pass a special resolution

To change your company’s name, memorandum, or articles, or to approve an amalgamation, your company must pass a special resolution. Use the sample special resolution (PDF, 277 KB) for guidance on how to write and pass a special resolution.

If your company is amalgamating with another non-profit company, you will also need have an amalgamation agreement.

If your company plans to reduce its share capital, you may need to get a court order.  Get legal advice to help with this step or if you are not sure how to apply for a court order.

Step 2. Get an Alberta NUANS report

If you are changing the non-profit company's name or picking a new name for an amalgamation, you will need to include an Alberta NUANS report to make sure the new name can be used in Alberta.

You will not need a NUANS report when the new name is a number name assigned by Corporate Registry (for example: 5551212 Alberta Ltd.).

The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days. The original report must be submitted with the forms and must be less than 91 days old.

Find a NUANS service provider

Step 3. Fill out the forms

Change of name/Amendment to memorandum/capital/articles:

Amalgamation:

Step 4. Send the forms to Corporate Registry

Send the forms, any court order, any applicable fee, and NUANS report to Corporate Registry.  Make your cheque payable to the Government of Alberta. Email [email protected] if you want to make an electronic payment.

Mailing address:
Corporate Registry and Red Tape Reduction
Service Alberta
Box 1007 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W6
Email: [email protected]

Religious society

A religious society can change its name, constitution and bylaws.

Step 1. Pass a resolution

To change your religious society’s name, constitution, or by-laws, your group must pass a resolution.

Use the Sample resolution (PDF, 32 KB) for guidance on how to fill out and pass a resolution.

Step 2. Get an Alberta NUANS report

If you are changing the religious society's name, you will need to include an Alberta NUANS report to make sure the new name can be used in Alberta.

The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days. The complete report must be submitted with the forms and must be less than 91 days old.

Find a NUANS service provider

Step 3. Fill out the forms

Step 4. Send the forms to Corporate Registry

Send the forms and NUANS report to Corporate Registry.

Mailing address:

Corporate Registry
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Box 1007 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W6
Email: [email protected]

Society

A society can change its name, objectives and bylaws. Two or more societies can amalgamate and carry on as one society.

Societies can transfer themselves into another province or country. This is known as continuance. Non-profit organizations formed outside of Alberta can transfer into Alberta as societies.

Cost

You will have to pay a fee for the following types of amendments:

  • Amalgamation: $50
  • Continuance into Alberta: $50
  • Continuance out of Alberta: no charge
  • Change of objectives: $25
  • Change of bylaws: no charge

Step 1. Pass a resolution

Society members must pass a special resolution authorizing any change to the society’s objectives or by-laws, to amalgamate with another society or to continue to another province or country. Societies planning to amalgamate together also have to prepare an amalgamation agreement for their members to review and approve.

Use the sample special resolution (PDF, 52 KB) for guidance on how to fill out and pass a special resolution.

Step 2. Get an Alberta NUANS report

Most name changes, amalgamations and continuances into Alberta require a NUANS report to make sure your society’s new name can be used in Alberta.

You do not need a NUANS report when the proposed name is a number name assigned by Corporate Registry (for example: 5551212 Alberta Society).

The NUANS report reserves the proposed name for 90 days. The original report must be submitted with the forms and must be less than 91 days old.

Find a NUANS service provider

Step 3. Fill out the forms

The forms you fill out depend on what kind of change you are making.

Service Request Form (PDF, 193 KB)

Amalgamation

Name Change (Amendment)

Articles of Amendment (PDF, 71 KB)

Continuance

Change of Objectives or Bylaws

Step 4. Send the forms to Corporate Registry

Send the forms, any applicable fee, and NUANS report to Corporate Registry.  Make your cheque payable to the Government of Alberta.

Mailing address:

Corporate Registry and Red Tape Reduction
Service Alberta
Box 1007 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4W6
Email: [email protected]

Contact

Connect with Corporate Registry

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)

Related

Annual returns for corporations, cooperatives, and organizations

Change notices for corporations, cooperatives and organizations

Update your business registration in BC, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

Revive a corporation or organization

Liquidate or dissolve a corporation, cooperative or organization

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