How to Incorporate in Manitoba: Steps, Fees & Annual Costs
Updated: July 2026. Government fees and filing rules were checked July 13, 2026.
A numbered Manitoba corporation costs $350. A named corporation adds a $45 name reservation, for a minimum government total of $395. A regular name reservation lasts 90 days.
Manitoba is unusual among several western provinces because it still requires resident-Canadian directors. It also requires a full Manitoba registered office and, when no director or officer lives in Manitoba, an attorney for service.
Manitoba or federal incorporation?
| Factor | Manitoba corporation | Federal corporation based in Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Regular articles fee | $350 | $200 online |
| Named-company step | $45 Manitoba reservation | Federal name-search route |
| Director residency | 25%; one if three or fewer directors | Normally the same 25%/one rule |
| Registry maintenance | $65 Manitoba annual return | $12 federal return plus Manitoba registration obligations |
| Name scope | Manitoba | Broader federal name review |
Federal incorporation does not replace Manitoba registration. Compare total filings, name needs and future mobility rather than only $200 versus $350.
Costs
| Filing | Regular fee |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | $45 |
| Numbered corporation | $350 |
| Named corporation | $395 total |
| Attorney for service | $40 when required |
| Annual return | $65 |
The government fee is only formation. A professionally prepared T2 commonly costs around $1,500 with clean books, while outsourced bookkeeping, tax and records can put annual administration near $2,000–$3,000.
What to decide before filing
- Named or numbered. A word name needs an approved 90-day reservation; a numbered company skips it.
- Share structure. Define authorized share classes and their rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.
- Director range and first directors. At least one director is required and the board must meet the resident-Canadian rule.
- Manitoba registered office. Use a full civic address, not only a P.O. box.
- Attorney for service. Appoint one if no director or officer resides in Manitoba.
- Transfer/business restrictions and other provisions. Get legal advice for custom rights, investors or multiple founders.
Articles authorize shares but do not issue them. Ownership is completed after incorporation through subscriptions, payment, directors' approvals and the securities register.
Filing steps
- Search the registry and trademarks, then reserve a name for $45 or choose a numbered company.
- Open the Companies Office Manitoba-corporation service.
- Complete the Articles of Incorporation with name, director-number, share and restriction provisions.
- Enter the Manitoba registered office, directors and incorporator/contact information.
- File the attorney-for-service document if required.
- Review the public information, pay $350 and submit.
- Save the certificate, articles and registry confirmations.
Some online articles not selected for review can complete immediately. Reviewed filings take longer, and the queue changes. Check the Companies Office processing page rather than relying on a permanent promise.
Organize the corporation
After the certificate:
- adopt bylaws and initial director/shareholder resolutions;
- appoint officers and authorize banking;
- issue and record the founder shares;
- create securities, shareholder, director and officer registers;
- create and maintain the applicable significant-control register;
- establish the minute book and accounting records; and
- open a separate corporate bank account.
The CRA automatically assigns a new BN and corporation-income-tax account to a Manitoba corporation. Add GST/HST, payroll or import/export accounts when required. An old sole proprietor's BN and contracts do not simply change names.
Registered office, directors and service
The registered office is the Manitoba civic location where required records can be maintained and official documents received. Keep its registry information current.
At least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians; if there are three or fewer directors, one must be a resident Canadian. Separately, when no director or officer resides in Manitoba, appoint an attorney for service. A resident Canadian living in Ontario can satisfy the federal-residency concept but not the Manitoba-presence condition.
Ribbon Business does not currently offer Manitoba provincial incorporation or a Manitoba registered-office address. Use an eligible local arrangement and a Manitoba lawyer when residency, ownership or service questions are uncertain.
Annual obligations
- File the $65 annual return by the end of the month following the anniversary month.
- File the T2 within six months after tax year-end and pay balances by the applicable deadline.
- File active GST/HST, payroll and Manitoba RST returns.
- Update director/officer and registered-office information within 15 days.
- Keep shareholder information, including required 10%-plus voting-share information, current.
- Review corporate and significant-control records and document annual decisions.
Two consecutive missed Manitoba annual returns can lead to dissolution. The annual return and T2 are separate filings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip the name reservation?
Yes, by choosing a numbered Manitoba corporation. The Companies Office assigns the number and legal name.
Can a non-resident own the shares?
Ownership is not the same as director eligibility. Non-resident ownership can be possible, but the board must satisfy Manitoba's resident-Canadian rule and the corporation may need an attorney for service.
Is incorporation complete when I receive the certificate?
No. The entity exists, but shares, bylaws, resolutions, registers, banking and tax setup still need to be completed and documented.
Keep the entity defensible
The useful outcome is not a certificate; it is a corporation whose ownership, decisions, tax accounts, registered office and annual filings can be proved. Set those records up before the first transaction.
If that ongoing work is more than the business needs, compare Manitoba business-name registration.