This article was updated January 18, 2016.

STEP 1: SELECTING THE TYPE OF BUSINESS

The first step is to identify what type of business you want to operate, and the type of identity (sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation) that will meet your needs. A lawyer or accountant should be consulted if you are not sure which type of business best meets your needs.

STEP 2: REGISTERING YOUR BUSINESS

Once you have determined the type of business you wish to register, you will need to decide on a name. You can check that your desired business name has not been taken by requesting a list of private sector name search firms, available from Corporate Affairs Branch (see contact details below). Once you have chosen a name, you will be required to pay a fee in order to reserve all legal rights to the name.

Service New Brunswick's guidelines for choosing a busine namee can be accessed here. 

You must complete the business name registration forms in full (NB Certificate of Business Name), as well as the Additional Information Form. 

Step A:

With business type and name confirmed, your next stop is the Corporate Affairs Branch of Service New Brunswick, where you will be given the necessary paperwork to complete. The contact details are:

Corporate Affairs Branch
Service New Brunswick
432 Queen Street
P. O. Box 1998
Fredericton (NB) E3B 1B6
Telephone: (506) 453-2703
Fax: (506) 453-2613

You may also download the paper work needed from the website:
Form 5: Certificate of Business Name

Step B:

You will also be required to apply for a Business Number (BN), which you will use for harmonized sales tax (HST); corporate income tax, import/export taxes and payroll deductions, where applicable. For an information booklet regarding Business Numbers, visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ , or call Canada Customs and Revenue at: 1-800-959 5525.

Entrepreneurs wishing to establish a home-based business should also be aware that certain zoning restrictions might apply. To find out what regulations apply to your jurisdiction, contact your local municipality at the number listed in your telephone directory, or call the toll-free number listed below.

Certain other regulations may apply; depending on the type of business you are planning to operate. For instance, aside from the standard permits required for issuing food or alcohol, the Government of New Brunswick also calls for a Music License when music is performed in public, regardless of whether it is live or recorded. There are also laws pertaining to the Days of Rest Act, which may restrict you from hiring employees to work on a Sunday.

The New Brunswick government has kits on registering either a sole proprietorship or partnership. These kits, which contain all the forms that need to be completed to register a new business, are available on the Internet at https://www.pxw1.snb.ca/snb7001/e/2000/2500e_3.asp, or by mail or fax. While the forms can be completed online, they still must be printed and mailed to the nearest SNB Office. To find the office closest to your location, call 1 888 832-2762 (a toll free line).

To learn more about these policies and any others that may apply to your business, contact The Canada/ New Brunswick Business Service Centre, which provides a free 24-hour business information service through fax and internet, and a drop-in service at the address below, during regular business hours.

STEP 3: FEES

FINAL STEP: MORE INFORMATION

Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre
570 Queen Street, Fredericton (NB) E3B 6Z6
Telephone: (506) 444-6140 or 1- 800-668-1010
Fax: (506) 444-6172
Info-FAX: (506) 444-6169 or 1-800-401-3201
TTY (hearing impaired): (506) 444-6166 or 1-800-887-6550
Internet site: http://www.cbsc.org/nb/
E-mail: cbscnb@cbsc.ic.gc.ca