Registered Intermediaries Q&A

What is a registered intermediary?

Q. What is a Registered Intermediary?

A. A Registered Intermediary is a recognized organization that regularly uses Corporations Canada's Online Filing Centre to submit multiple requests on behalf of multiple corporations.

Q. Who should apply to become a Registered Intermediary?

A. Frequent users of Corporations Canada's Online Filing Centre may wish to apply for Registered Intermediary status. Corporations Canada grants Registered Intermediary status to applicants who regularly file online submissions on behalf of client corporations.

Q. What does a Registered Intermediary receive?

A. A Registered Intermediary receives an ID number and a Registered Intermediary Key that enables multiple requests to be submitted without entering individual Corporation Keys.

Q. How will I know if I have been approved as a Registered Intermediary?

A. After your application for Registered Intermediary status has been reviewed, Corporations Canada will email an approval or rejection notice to the email address on the application form.

Q. Where do I send my application?

A. Once you have completed the application form, simply scan it and email it to Corporations Canada or fax it to 613-941-4803.

Q. How long will it take to process my application?

A. Although Corporations Canada will make every effort to review your application within two business days, the process may take a little longer.

Special Features for Registered Intermediaries

Q. Why become a Registered Intermediary?

A. Registered Intermediaries have access to the following additional services:

• The Pre-Approved Schedules Service (PASS):
  This service permits frequent users to have their own customized provisions pre-approved and filed as "schedules" with Corporations Canada. These schedules can then be used for future online CBCA incorporation applications.
• Guide to the Pre-Approval Schedules Services (PASS)
• Numeric Name Reservation Service:
  This service allows from five (5) to fifty (50) numeric names to be reserved for future use in CBCA incorporations, amalgamations or continuances.  Note that all numeric names must end with "Canada Inc."
• Attach Documents Feature:
  This feature permits documents as letters of authorization to be attached to online submissions.
• Fast-Fill Feature:
  This feature allows personalized profiles to be created and stored for each user of Corporations Canada's online system. A list of the corporations on whose behalf you file documents is provided automatically.

What is an Intermediary Key?

Q. What is a Registered Intermediary Key?

A. A Registered Intermediary Key is an access code that permits a Registered Intermediary to file multiple documents on behalf of multiple corporations using just one Key code.

Q. Why do I need a Registered Intermediary Key and ID number?

A. The Key and ID number identify you as a Registered Intermediary, which automatically makes your overall use of the online system more efficient, especially when making multiple submissions.

Q. How do I obtain a Key and ID?

A. You can get a Registered Intermediary Key and ID number by simply applying to Corporations Canada for Registered Intermediary status.

Q. Is there a fee for this Key?

A. No.

Q. When will my Registered Intermediary Key be issued and when will I be able to use it?

A. The Keys will be issued in March 2010 and will become active when the new system is released.

Q. How do I use my Key and ID?

A. Your ID number and Key allow you to login to the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre, where you can begin filing multiple documents on behalf of corporations.  It will also give you access to additional features and services such as the Pre-Approved Schedules Service (PASS). Please see the Guide to the Pre-Approval Schedules Services (PASS)

Q. Can an organization have more than one Key?

A. Where an organization operates in more than one geographic location, it can establish a unique Registered Intermediary identity for each of these locations. However, each location will have to apply separately, and will be granted a unique ID number and Key.

Q. What do I do if I lose my Key?

A. When a Key is lost, or misplaced, the intermediary will have to apply for a new Key. When the new Key is issued, the old Key will be deactivated.  To avoid this inconvenience, we suggest that you treat your corporate Key with the same care as you would any other important corporate asset.

Q. Can my Key be revoked?

A. Yes.  Corporations Canada reserves the right to revoke a Registered Intermediary Key at any time.

Q. I have seen a reference to a "Corporation Key." Is that the same as a Registered Intermediary Key?

A. No. A Corporation Key is similar to a Registered Intermediary Key, in that it is an access code that must be entered, along with the corporation number, before certain online transactions can be carried out on the Corporations Canada Online Filing Centre. However, Corporation Keys are used by individual corporations submitting documents on their own behalf, while an Intermediary Key permits a Registered Intermediary to file multiple documents on behalf of multiple corporations using just one Key code.