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How to Register a Business in PEI: Costs & Steps

Updated: July 2026. OCBR fees and instructions were checked July 13, 2026.

A named PEI sole proprietorship normally costs $130: $40 for the name application and $90 for registration. It is valid for three years and renews for $75.

If you operate only under your personal name, you can generally skip business-name registration. Add any prefix or suffix and the exception normally disappears. Incorporation is separate and costs a typical $255 through OCBR; see How to Incorporate in PEI.

Prince Edward Island flag beside a Canadian flag

Do you need to register?​

Taylor MacDonald can generally operate under that exact personal name without registering. Taylor MacDonald Studio or Island North Design normally requires a name reservation and registration under the Partnership Act.

Registration records the name but does not create a separate legal entity or trademark rights. Search PEI's registry, federal corporations and Canadian trademarks before investing in the brand.

Current fees​

FilingFeeDuration
Name reservation/application$40Used for registration after approval
Sole-proprietorship registration$903 years
Typical named sole-proprietor total$130Initial
Sole-proprietorship renewal$75Every 3 years
PEI incorporation$215 after name stepAnnual return $30

Choose a structure​

  • Sole proprietorship: simple and inexpensive; owner remains personally liable.
  • Partnership: multiple owners; use an agreement defining authority and exits.
  • PEI corporation: separate entity with shares, records, T2 and annual return.
  • Federal corporation: federal name review and mobility, plus PEI extra-provincial filings.

Corporation administration usually costs much more than $255. A basic professionally prepared T2 often starts around $1,500 with clean books.

Register through OCBR​

  1. Create an OCBR account. The registry recommends desktop/laptop access rather than mobile.
  2. Reserve the name. Select sole proprietorship, complete the $40 application and save the Company PIN and Key emailed by OCBR.
  3. Wait for review. Name review is typically within five business days. You can start the next step earlier, but approval risk remains.
  4. Start registration. Select Register a Business, retrieve the name with the PIN and Key and enter the proprietor, address and activity details.
  5. Pay $90 and submit. Save the emailed Certificate of Registration.
  6. Record the three-year renewal. Renewal is $75; keep email/contact details current so OCBR notices arrive.

The name reservation and registration are separate transactions. Paying $40 does not create the business registration.

Incorporation summary​

A PEI corporation uses OCBR and must decide its director range, authorized share classes and rights, transfer restrictions, business restrictions, registered-office information and first directors. The $40 name step plus $215 incorporation produces a normal $255 total.

The certificate does not issue founder shares or create bylaws and resolutions. See the PEI incorporation guide for the complete organization and annual-return checklist.

CRA, HST and payroll​

  • BN: obtain or confirm the CRA Business Number and add program accounts that apply.
  • HST: PEI uses 15% HST. The usual federal small-supplier test generally turns on $30,000 of taxable supplies in one quarter or over four consecutive quarters.
  • Payroll: register before source-deduction remittances are due.
  • Workers Compensation Board: confirm employer/industry coverage requirements.

Licences and permits​

Use BizPaL and confirm with the municipality and regulator. OCBR registration does not include zoning, food-service, professional, tourism or other sector approvals.

Stay compliant​

Sole proprietors renew every three years, report business income on the T1 and file active HST, payroll, workers' compensation and licence returns.

Corporations file a $30 annual return, T2 and program returns, keep office/director/shareholder information current and maintain corporate and significant-control records.

Frequently asked questions​

Can I register before the name is approved?

OCBR instructions allow the registration workflow to start, but display a warning. Waiting for approval avoids building the filing around a name the Registry may reject.

Does the business name give exclusive rights?

No. Registry approval is not federal trademark registration. Search broadly and obtain advice for a valuable brand.

Is there an annual sole-proprietor fee?

No. The registration cycle is three years, with a current $75 renewal fee.

Keep the PIN and renewal date safe​

The OCBR PIN and Key control access to the entity. Store them with the certificate and set the three-year renewal reminder before moving on to HST, payroll and licence setup.