What governing documents you need to provide
Ensure your governing documents are certified
You must submit governing documents that are:
- Finalized: Draft governing documents are not accepted; and
- Official: They must bear the necessary signatures, seals, and stamps, as applicable
Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
Checklist
Use the interactive questionnaire to determine what governing documents you need to include with your application.
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Federal - incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (previously Industry Canada)
- Form 4001, Articles of Incorporation, including all attachments
- Form 4002, Initial Registered Office Address and First Board of Directors, including all attachments
- Bylaws, if enacted
Additional documents
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation, also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (previously Industry Canada)
- Form 4004, Articles of Amendment
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Federal - Transitioned from the Canada Corporations Act to the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Continuance issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (previously Industry Canada)
- Form 4031, Articles of Continuance (transition), including all attachments
- Form 4002, Initial Registered Office Address and First Board of Directors, including all attachments
- Bylaws, if enacted
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your articles of continuance, also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (previously Industry Canada) including the attachments outlining the amendments
- Form 4004, Articles of Amendment (name change), if applicable
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Alberta - incorporated under the Societies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Registry
- Application to Form a Society stamped by the Corporate Registry
- Bylaws stamped by the Corporate Registry
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your bylaws or application to form a society, also provide:
- Special Resolution stamped by the Corporate Registry
- Certificate of Amendment issued by the Corporate Registry (if your organization's name or purposes were amended)
- Proof of Filing (if your organization's bylaws were amended)
- Amended Bylaws stamped by the Corporate Registry (if your organization's bylaws were repealed and replaced)
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Alberta - incorporated under the Companies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Registry
- Memorandum of Association stamped by the Corporate Registry (this document includes the purposes and other necessary provisions)
- Articles of Association stamped by the Corporate Registry
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your memorandum of association or articles of association, also provide:
- Special Resolution
- For amendments to the articles: The resolution must be stamped by the Corporate Registry.
- For amendments to the memorandum before June 1, 2021: The resolution must be confirmed by a court order.
- For amendments to the memorandum on or after June 1, 2021: The resolution must be stamped by the Corporate Registry.
- Certificate of Amendment issued by the Corporate Registry (for changes to the memorandum only)
- Registration Statement
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Alberta - incorporated under the Religious Societies' Land Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Registry
- Declaration of Incorporation stamped by the Corporate Registry
- Affidavit Verifying a Religious Society stamped by the Corporate Registry
- Constitution or Bylaws, which must include all the following elements:
Organization name The legal name that your organization will operate under.
Purposes (objects) Your organization's formal purposes.
Non-profit clause A statement confirming that your organization will not be operating for the benefit of its members, and that any profits and assets will be used exclusively to further its purposes.
Structure of the governing body A description of the leadership roles within the organization (for example, president, chair, secretary).
Provision for replacing directors A description of how directors will be appointed or replaced (for example, through annual election by members, appointment by existing directors)
Effective date When the constitution is considered effective.
Signatures The signatures of at least three directors of the organization.
Note: If the charity only has two directors, then signatures from these two directors are sufficient. Otherwise, we need a minimum of three.
Note: The constitution and bylaws do not need to be filed with the registrar.
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to any of these documents, also provide:
- Both the original and amended copies
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Alberta - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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British Columbia - incorporated under the Societies Act
Member-funded societies are not eligible for registration
If your organization is incorporated under the Societies Act and its incorporation documents (usually the constitution) state that "This society is a member-funded society," your organization will not be eligible for registration until this is resolved.
This is because member-funded societies are established primarily to benefit their members.
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the B.C. Registrar of Companies
- Constitution filed at the time of incorporation and bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
- Bylaws filed at the time of incorporation and bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
- Statement of Directors and Registered Office bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your constitution, also provide:
- Certificate of Change of Name bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies (for name changes only)
- Altered Constitution bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
If you made amendments to your bylaws, also provide:
- Altered Bylaws bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
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British Columbia - Transition from the Society Act to the Societies Act
Member-funded societies are not eligible for registration
If your organization is incorporated under the Societies Act and its incorporation documents (usually the constitution) state that "This society is a member-funded society," your organization will not be eligible for registration until this is resolved.
This is because member-funded societies are established primarily to benefit their members.
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the B.C. Registrar of Companies
- Constitution and Bylaws filed at the time of transition to the Societies Act and bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
- Statement of Directors and Registered Office bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
Additional documents
If you made amendments to your constitution, also provide:
- Certificate of Change of Name bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies (for name changes only)
- Altered Constitution bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
If you made amendments to your bylaws, also provide:
- Altered Bylaws bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Companies
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British Columbia - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Manitoba - incorporated under the Corporations Act
On or after September 20, 2017Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation stamped or digitally certified by the Director of the Corporations Branch, Companies Office of Entrepreneurship Manitoba
- Articles of Incorporation (without share capital)
Note: You must list your organization's charitable purposes and restrict the undertaking of the corporation to these purposes (usually in Article 5).
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation, also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment stamped or digitally certified by the Director of the Corporations Branch, Companies Office of Entrepreneurship Manitoba
- Articles of Amendment
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Manitoba - incorporated under the Corporations Act
Before September 20, 2017Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Articles of Incorporation (without share capital) stamped or digitally certified by the Director of the Corporations Branch, Companies Office of Entrepreneurship Manitoba
Note: You must list your organization's charitable purposes and restrict the undertaking of the corporation to these purposes (usually in Article 5).
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation before September 20, 2017, also provide:
- Articles of Amendment stamped or digitally certified by the Director of the Corporations Branch, Companies Office of Entrepreneurship Manitoba
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation on or after September 20, 2017, also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment stamped or digitally certified by the Director of the Corporations Branch, Companies Office of Entrepreneurship Manitoba
- Articles of Amendment
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Manitoba - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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New Brunswick - incorporated under the Companies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Letters Patent issued by the Corporate Registry
- Application for Incorporation containing the purposes of your organization (this is normally attached to and forms part of the letters patent)
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your letters patent, also provide:
- Supplementary Letters Patent issued by the Corporate Registry, including all attachments
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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New Brunswick - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Newfoundland and Labrador - incorporated under the Corporations Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation signed by the Registry of Companies
- Articles of Incorporation stamped by the Registry of Companies
Note: You must list your organization's charitable purposes and restrict the business carried on by the corporation to those purposes (Article 4 for corporations without share capital and Article 6 for those with share capital).
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation, also provide (for each amendment):
- Form 4, Articles of Amendment stamped by the Registry of Companies
- Certificate of Amendment signed by the Registry of Companies
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Newfoundland and Labrador - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Northwest Territories - incorporated under the Societies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Societies
- Application for Incorporation (including the constitution and bylaws) approved and registered by the Registrar of Societies
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your constitution, also provide (for each amendment):
- Certificate of Alteration issued by the Registrar of Societies
And either of the following:
- Notice of Specific Constitutional Amendments certified by the Registrar of Societies
- Notice of Enactment of New Constitution certified by the Registrar of Societies
- By providing this document, you must also provide an amended constitution
If you made amendments to your bylaws, also provide either of the following for each amendment:
- Notice of Specific Bylaws Amendments certified by the Registrar of Societies
- Notice of Enactment of New Bylaws certified by the Registrar of Societies
- By providing this document, you must also provide amended bylaws.
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Northwest Territories - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Nova Scotia - incorporated under the Societies Act
Ensure your documents are certified
Since the Registrar of Joint Stock Committee only certifies documents upon request, you must ask for certified copies of the memorandum of association, bylaws, and any amendments to these documents.
If these documents are not certified, we will not accept them.
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
Note: The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies does not re-issue the certificate. If you do not have this document, provide a certificate of status issued by the Registrar instead.
- Memorandum of Association stamped or digitally certified by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
- Bylaws stamped or digitally certified by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status issued by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
If you made amendments to your memorandum of association, also provide:
- Certificate of Memorandum Alteration issued by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
- Special Resolution – Certificate stamped or digitally certified by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
Note: If both the memorandum of association and bylaws were amended at the same time, the Registrar will issue only a single special resolution certificate covering both amendments.
- Amended Memorandum outlining the amendments
If you made amendments to your bylaws, also provide:
- Amended Bylaws
- Special Resolution – Certificate stamped or digitally certified by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies
Note: If both the memorandum of association and bylaws were amended at the same time, the Registrar will issue only a single special resolution certificate covering both amendments.
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Nova Scotia - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Nunavut - incorporated under the Societies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Societies
- Application for Incorporation stamped by the Registar of Societies, including both:
- Constitution
- Bylaws
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar of Societies
If you made amendments to your constitution or bylaws, also provide:
- Extraordinary Resolution stamped by the Registrar of Societies
- Certificate of Alteration stating the type of amendment that has been made
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Nunavut - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Ontario - incorporated under the Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2010
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
- Articles of Incorporation stamped by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Status or its equivalent
If you made amendments to your articles of incorporation, also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment issued by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
- Articles of Amendment stamped by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, outlining the amendments
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Ontario - transitioned from the Corporations Act to the Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2010
If your organization was previously established under the Corporations Act, it is now deemed to have transitioned to the Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2010.
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Application for Incorporation of a Corporation (without share capital) stamped with Letters Patent by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, and all supporting documents (minimum of four pages, including the signature page)
- Certificate of status or its equivalent
Additional documents
If you made amendments to your Letters Patent before October 19, 2021, also provide:
- Supplementary Letters Patent stamped by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, and all supporting documents (amendments including the signature page)
If you made amendments to your Letters Patent on or after October 19, 2021 (including for the transition to the Not-for-profit Corporations Act, 2010), also provide:
- Certificate of Amendment issued by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
- Articles of Amendment stamped by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery outlining the amendments
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Ontario - incorporated under the Historical Societies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Letter from the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery providing the Ontario Corporation number
- Letter from the Ontario Historical Society confirming the affiliation
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Ontario - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Prince Edward Island - incorporated under the Companies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Application for Incorporation filed with the Consumer, Corporate and Insurance Division of the Department of Justice and Public Safety (the "Registry")
- Letters Patent
- Memorandum of Agreement signed and dated by two directors
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent
If your organization is incorporated under Part II of the Companies Act, also provide:
- Petition filed with the Registry
If you made amendments to either your Application for Incorporation or Memorandum of Agreement (other than a change in its name), also provide:
- Application for Supplementary Letters Patent stamped by the office of the Registry
- Supplementary Letters Patent stamped and dated by the office of the Registry
If your organization formally changed its name, also provide:
- Application for Change of Name stamped and dated by the office of the Registry
- Certificate of Name Change stamped and dated by the office of the Registry
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Prince Edward Island - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Quebec - incorporated under the Loi sur les compagnies, Partie III
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Letters Patent (usually four pages) bearing the seal of the Registraire des entreprises
- Note: If the Letters Patent does not have Page 4 (which includes other provisions, such as the dissolution clause), you must advise us in writing that it is not available.
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of good standing (Certificat de conformité) or its equivalent
If you made amendments to the Letters Patent, also provide:
- Supplementary Letters Patent bearing the seal of the Registraire des entreprises
- Application for Supplementary Letters Patent/Resolution stating the amendments
Quebec may refuse to provide certain documents if you fail to meet their requirements
The Registraires des entreprises may refuse to provide the Supplementary Letters Patent (or to even incorporate your organization, if you haven't done so yet) if your organization fails to meet their requirements.
Here are some known issues, depending on the type of organization:
Provincial clause You must include one object that will reflect activities taking place in Quebec, even if your organization intends to primarily operate in other jurisdictions.
Dissolution clause You must have a dissolution clause in Article 6, “Autres dispositions.” Without one, Quebec law would allow your organization to distribute its property among its members upon dissolution, which would contravene both provincial legislation on non-profit corporations and the Income Tax Act's requirements for charitable registration.
Fundraising clause If you intend to fundraise, you must include a standard clause in Article 5 of your Letters Patent, which usually reads as follows:
Recevoir des dons, des legs et d’autres contributions de même nature en argent ou en valeurs mobilières ou immobilières; administrer de tels dons, de tels legs et de telles contributions; et organiser des campagnes de souscription dans le but de recueillir des fonds à des fins charitables.
Non-profit clause You may be required to include the following standard clause in Article 5 of your Letters Patent if you are established for charitable purposes:
Les objets de la personne morale ne permettent cependant pas aux souscripteurs ou à leurs ayants droit de recouvrer, sous quelque forme que ce soit, l’argent qu’ils auront versé à la personne morale.
Contact the Registraire des entreprises du Québec if you have any questions about their requirements.
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Quebec - incorporated under the Loi sur les corporations religieuses
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Letters Patent (usually four pages) bearing the seal of the Registraire des entreprises
- Note: If the Letters Patent does not have Page 4 (which includes other provisions, such as the dissolution clause), you must advise us in writing that it is not available.
- Bylaws (Réglements généraux) with an effective date, signed by at least two directors
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of good standing (Certificat de conformité) or its equivalent
If you made amendments to the Letters Patent, also provide:
- Supplementary Letters Patent bearing the seal of the Registraire des entreprises
- Application for Supplementary Letters Patent/Resolution stating the amendments
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Quebec - incorporated under the Loi sur les fabriques
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Notice of deposit (Avis de dépôt)
- For organizations established on or after January 1, 1994: This notice must be issued by and bear the seal of the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
- For organizations established between January 1, 1966, and January 1, 1994: This notice was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec, which can be found here: Gazette officielle du Québec de 1869 à nos jours (in French only).
- For organizations established before January 1, 1966: These organizations do not have a Notice of deposit, as there was no need for such a document.
- Decree establishing the District Parish (Décret constituant la Paroisse) signed by the archbishop and the chancellor
- Bylaws (Règlements généraux) signed by at least two administrators and contaning an effective date
- If no bylaws exist, contact the Charities Directorate
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Quebec - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Saskatchewan - incorporated under the Non-profit Corporations Act, 2022
Ensure your documents are certified
Since Information Services Corporation only certifies documents upon request, you must ask for certified copies of the Articles of Incorporation and any amendments to these documents.
If these documents are not certified, we will not accept them.
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation bearing the seal of the Office of the Director of Corporations, and stamped or digitally certified by Information Services Corporation on behalf of the Director of Corporations
- If you were incorporated before 1982 under the now-repealed Societies Act: Include copies of the original incorporation documents and the certificate of continuance
- Articles of Incorporation stamped or digitally certified by Information Services Corporation on behalf of the Saskatchewan Director of Corporations
- Under “Restrictions on business,” you must list your organization's charitable purposes and restrict the business of the corporation to these purposes.
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of Good Standing or its equivalent, stamped or digitally certified by Information Services Corporation on behalf of the Saskatchewan Director of Corporations
If you made amendments to either your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Continuance, also provide:
- Form 4, Articles of Amendment stamped or digitally certified by Information Services Corporation
- Certificate of Amendment stamped or digitally certified by Information Services Corporation on behalf of the Director of Corporations
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Saskatchewan - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Yukon - incorporated under the Societies Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Societies
- Application for Incorporation of a Society (including the constitution) bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from Registrar of Societies
- Bylaws filed at the time of incorporation and bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Societies
Additional documents
If your organization was incorporated more than five years ago or is re-applying for registration after being revoked, also provide:
- Certificate of status
If you made amendments to the Application for Incorporation of a Society, also provide:
- Certificate of Change of Name issued by the Registrar of Societies (for name changes only)
- Constitution Alteration Form bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Societies
If you made amendments to bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws Alteration Form bearing a “Certified Copy” stamp from the Registrar of Societies
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Yukon - incorporated under a different Act
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- Any documents that govern your organization (for example, an act of Parliament) along with any applicable amendments and bylaws
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Constitution
What is required
You must provide a constitution containing all the following elements:
- Organization name
The legal name that your organization will operate under.
- Purposes (objects)
Your organization's formal purposes.
- Non-profit clause
A statement confirming that your organization will not be operating for the benefit of its members, and that any profits and assets will be used exclusively to further its purposes.
- Structure of the governing body
A description of the leadership roles within the organization (for example, president, chair, secretary).
- Provision for replacing directors
A description of how directors will be appointed or replaced (for example, through annual election by members, appointment by existing directors).
- Effective date
When the constitution is considered effective.
- Signatures
The signatures of at least three directors of the organization.
Note: If the charity only has two directors, then signatures from these two directors are sufficient. Otherwise, we need a minimum of three.
Additional documents
If your organization enacted bylaws, also provide:
- Bylaws signed by at least two directors and containing an effective date
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Trust - established in Quebec and as part of a will
This information is not legal advice
The information on this page is designed to help you understand our requirements for registration as a charity under the Income Tax Act. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon to determine the validity of a trust. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice before enacting or making changes to a trust.
Before you continue
The information here applies only to trusts created on or after January 1, 1994. If your trust was created before that date, contact a legal advisor.
Your trust is established under the Civil Code of Quebec and is subject to different requirements from other provinces and territories.
What is required in your trust document
You must provide a complete trust document, containing all the following elements:
| Trust name | The legal name of the organization. |
| Settlor name | The name of the individual (settlor) who is creating or declaring a trust. |
| Names of the original trustees | The individuals initially appointed to manage the trust. Note: At least one of the trustees must not be a settlor. |
| Purposes (objects) | Your organization’s formal purposes. Learn how to write your charitable purposes Note: We recommend that you include a clause allowing the trustees to amend the purposes of the trust in order to meet the legislative and common law requirements for charitable registration. Proactively including this clause is crucial because we may need you to amend the trust, and altering a trust that is already established may not be possible or may require court approval. |
| Acknowledgement of transfer of property | A statement saying that the initial trust property has been transferred to, and received by, the trustees. |
| Effective date | When the trust was established. |
| Signatures | The signatures of the trustees. |
Note: If the trust patrimony includes any real property, the trust document must be notarized en minute and published.
Additional documents
Since your trust is established as part of a will, also provide:
- Copy of the entire will that established your trust
- Document showing that the testator has passed away and that the estate trustee was appointed
Note: The name and format of the document will vary by jurisdiction, but it will often be a certificate of appointment of estate trustee or a grant of probate. We will not ask for a copy of the testator’s death certificate unless that is the only document that would achieve this purpose (for example, if a will is from a jurisdiction where such documents are not probated).
- A letter signed by the estate trustee confirming that the estate has been settled, all other bequests have been paid, and all estate debts have been settled.
If your organization amended its trust document or enacted bylaws, also provide:
- a copy of those documents
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Trust - established in Quebec
This information is not legal advice
The information on this page is designed to help you understand our requirements for registration as a charity under the Income Tax Act. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon to determine the validity of a trust. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice before enacting or making changes to a trust.
Before you continue
The information here applies only to trusts created on or after January 1, 1994. If your trust was created before that date, contact a legal advisor.
Your trust is established under the Civil Code of Quebec and is subject to different requirements from other provinces and territories.
What is required in your trust document
You must provide a complete trust document, containing all the following elements:
| Trust name | The legal name of the organization. |
| Settlor name | The name of the individual (settlor) who is creating or declaring a trust. |
| Names of the original trustees | The individuals initially appointed to manage the trust. Note: At least one of the trustees must not be a settlor. |
| Purposes (objects) | Your organization’s formal purposes. Learn how to write your charitable purposes Note: We recommend that you include a clause allowing the trustees to amend the purposes of the trust in order to meet the legislative and common law requirements for charitable registration. Proactively including this clause is crucial because we may need you to amend the trust, and altering a trust that is already established may not be possible or may require court approval. |
| Acknowledgement of transfer of property | A statement saying that the initial trust property has been transferred to, and received by, the trustees. |
| Effective date | When the trust was established. |
| Signatures | The signatures of the trustees. |
Note: If the trust patrimony includes any real property, the trust document must be notarized en minute and published.
Additional documents
If your organization amended its trust document or enacted bylaws, also provide:
- a copy of those documents
You selected the following
Trust - established in another province or territory of Canada and as part of a will
This information is not legal advice
The information on this page is designed to help you understand our requirements for registration as a charity under the Income Tax Act. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon to determine the validity of a trust. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice before enacting or making changes to a trust.
What is required in your trust document
You must provide a complete trust document, containing all the following elements:
| Trust name | The legal name of the organization. |
| Settlor name | The name of the individual (settlor) who is creating or declaring a trust. |
| Names of the original trustees | The individuals initially appointed to manage the trust. |
| Purposes (objects) | Your organization’s formal purposes. Learn how to write your charitable purposes Note: We recommend that you include a clause allowing the trustees to amend the trust to meet the legislative and common law requirements for charitable registration. Proactively including this clause is crucial because we may need you to amend the trust, and altering a trust that is already established may not be possible or may require court approval. |
| Administrative rules | The rules governing how the trustees will administer all property and money received by the trust. |
| Provision on using property and money | A provision assuring that all property and money received will be used only for the purpose outlined in the trust. |
| Acknowledgement of transfer of property | A statement saying that the initial trust property has been transferred to, and received by, the trustees. |
| Provision for replacing trustees | A description for how trustees will be replaced. |
| Effective date | When the trust was established. |
| Signatures | The signatures of the trustees. |
Additional documents
Since your trust is established as part of a will, also provide:
- Copy of the entire will
- Document showing that the testator has passed away and that the estate trustee was appointed
Note: The name and format of the document will vary by jurisdiction, but it will often be a certificate of appointment of estate trustee or a grant of probate. We will not ask for a copy of the testator’s death certificate unless that is the only document that would achieve this purpose (for example, if a will is from a jurisdiction where such documents are not probated).
- A letter signed by the estate trustee confirming that the estate has been settled, all other bequests have been paid, and all estate debts have been settled.
If your organization amended its trust document or enacted bylaws, also provide:
- a copy of those documents
You selected the following
Trust - established in another province or territory of Canada
This information is not legal advice
The information on this page is designed to help you understand our requirements for registration as a charity under the Income Tax Act. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon to determine the validity of a trust. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice before enacting or making changes to a trust.
What is required in your trust document
You must provide a complete trust document, containing all the following elements:
| Trust name | The legal name of the organization. |
| Settlor name | The name of the individual (settlor) who is creating or declaring a trust. |
| Names of the original trustees | The individuals initially appointed to manage the trust. |
| Purposes (objects) | Your organization’s formal purposes. Learn how to write your charitable purposes Note: We recommend that you include a clause allowing the trustees to amend the trust to meet the legislative and common law requirements for charitable registration. Proactively including this clause is crucial because we may need you to amend the trust, and altering a trust that is already established may not be possible or may require court approval. |
| Administrative rules | The rules governing how the trustees will administer all property and money received by the trust. |
| Provision on using property and money | A provision assuring that all property and money received will be used only for the purpose outlined in the trust. |
| Acknowledgement of transfer of property | A statement saying that the initial trust property has been transferred to, and received by, the trustees. |
| Provision for replacing trustees | A description for how trustees will be replaced. |
| Effective date | When the trust was established. |
| Signatures | The signatures of the trustees. |
Additional documents
If your organization amended its trust document or enacted bylaws, also provide:
- a copy of those documents
You selected the following
Trust - established outside Canada
Your trust does not qualify for registration as a charity because it is not resident in Canada. Contact the Charities Directorate for more information.
You selected the following
Internal division of a registered charity
Check to make sure you are an internal division
This section is for organizations that operate under a head body's governing document.
If your registered charity program account number ends in RR0001, you may not be an internal division. If you are not sure, contact the Charities Directorate
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- A letter of good standing from the head body detailing the nature of its relationship with your organization. It typically contains all of the following:
- date of the letter
- name of the internal division
- legal name of the head body as it appears on its governing document (and the operating name if it's different from the legal name)
- confirmation that the applicant is an internal division of the head body
- date the internal division was established
- name, position and signature of a director, trustee, or like official who is permitted to sign for the head body
You selected the following
Act of Parliament
Required documents
You must provide the following:
- A copy of the Act, ordinance or bylaws, including all amendments (if applicable)