In short
- The federal Act does not use the words "good standing"; the federal proof of it is a Certificate of Compliance.
- A status of Active only means the corporation has not been dissolved, amalgamated or moved away. Its annual returns can still be overdue.
- A Certificate of Compliance confirms, on the day it is issued, that the corporation exists, is up to date with its annual filings and has paid its fees.
- Anyone can order one online for $10, usually within a day.
What good standing means
"Good standing" is a phrase some provinces use; the federal Act does not. For a federal corporation it comes down to three things: the corporation still exists, it has made its annual filings, and it has paid its fees. Corporations Canada confirms all three in a Certificate of Compliance (section 263.1(1)).
Start with the status
The official search groups every federal corporation's status under one of four headings: Active, Inactive - Amalgamated, Inactive - Discontinued and Dissolved. On this site the same status sits at the top of each company page.
Active is necessary but not enough: it only means the corporation has not been dissolved, amalgamated into another or moved to another jurisdiction. An active corporation can be behind on its filings, and may already be on its way to dissolution. The guide to corporate statuses explains each one.
Then the annual returns
Every federal business corporation files an annual return each year (section 263). Corporations Canada sets the period: within 60 days after the anniversary of its incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, starting the year after. The federal record shows each year's return as filed, due or overdue, and so does this site, year by year, on every company page.
An overdue return matters: a corporation with one cannot get a Certificate of Compliance, and one that stops filing can be dissolved. Since January 22, 2024, a missing filing of the corporation's individuals with significant control counts too. More in annual returns.
Get the official proof
A search, on this site or the official one, shows what was on record when you looked. When you need proof, for a loan, a closing or a contract, order a certificate from Corporations Canada.
Have the corporation's name and number ready
Its corporation number or business number, from its company page.
Choose the certificate
A Certificate of Compliance confirms it exists, has filed and has paid. A Certificate of Existence only confirms it existed on a date or during a period you choose.
Order it online
$10, usually within a day, or $20 by email within ten days. Anyone can order one, not only the corporation.
Read the date
A Certificate of Compliance speaks only to the day it is issued. To prove the corporation existed on an earlier date, ask for a Certificate of Existence for that date or period.
When a certificate is refused
If the corporation does not qualify, for example because a return is overdue, Corporations Canada sends a notice of refusal with the reasons and keeps the fee. The Act also lets it refuse a Certificate of Existence when the corporation is in default (section 263.1(2)).
A refusal is itself an answer: ask the corporation to bring its filings up to date before you rely on it.
How far behind is too far
The Act allows Corporations Canada to dissolve a corporation that is a year behind on a filing or a fee, after giving notice (section 212(1)). In practice, its policy is to dissolve only after two years without annual returns, and only after a final notice giving 120 days to catch up. A dissolved corporation no longer exists in law, although it can sometimes be revived.
What this site can and cannot tell you
This site is built from Corporations Canada's public data, loaded every day, so it can be a day or more behind. It is a quick way to see a corporation's status, its returns year by year and its directors, but it is not the official register and not proof. Corporations Canada calls its own federal search the source for confirming that a federal corporation exists, and only its certificates are official.
Frequently asked questions
What does good standing mean for a federal corporation?
The federal Act does not use the phrase; the federal proof is a Certificate of Compliance. It confirms that, on the day it is issued, the corporation exists, its annual filings are up to date and its fees are paid.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Compliance and a Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Compliance confirms existence plus up-to-date filings and fees, as of the day it is issued. A Certificate of Existence confirms only that the corporation existed on a date or during a period you choose.
How much does a certificate cost and how fast is it?
It costs $10 online, usually within a day, or $20 by email within ten days. If the corporation does not qualify, the request is refused and the fee is not refunded.
Can I get a certificate for a company I don't own?
Yes. Anyone can request either certificate with the corporation's name and its corporation number or business number.
The search says Active. Is that good enough?
Not on its own. Active only means the corporation has not been dissolved, amalgamated or moved away; check its annual returns too, and order a certificate when you need proof.
Official sources
- Certificate of Compliance or Existence(opens in a new tab)
What each certificate confirms, and how to order it.
- Policy on annual filings(opens in a new tab)
Overdue returns, certificates and dissolution.
- Services, fees and processing times(opens in a new tab)
What each certificate costs and how long it takes.
- Search for a federal corporation(opens in a new tab)
The official record of every federal corporation.
This guide explains the general rules for federal corporations. It is not legal or tax advice for a particular situation: for that, speak to a lawyer or an accountant. It was last checked against the Act and Corporations Canada's own pages on Oct 25, 2026.