What is an Ontario company key?
A plain-English guide to the credential that unlocks most Ontario Business Registry filings.
Never share your company key publicly. A company key is a confidential credential — treat it like a password. OntarioLLB will never ask you to post one.
What a company key is
A company key is a confidential access code tied to a specific Ontario corporation or business name registration. It's used through the Ontario Business Registry to prove that you (or the intermediary you've engaged) are authorized to file on behalf of that business.
Who needs one
You generally need a company key to make filings for an existing Ontario corporation or business name registration through the OBR — including annual returns, notices of change, articles of amendment, and dissolutions.
Where it's used
Inside the OBR, you'll be prompted for the company key when accessing the corporation or business name for the first time from your ServiceOntario / My Ontario account.
How to request one
Company keys are issued by the Ontario Business Registry. New corporations typically receive one after incorporation. Existing corporations that don't have one can request it through the OBR — the province verifies the requester before issuing.
What if it's lost
If a company key is lost, request a new one through the OBR. The old one becomes invalid.
Can an intermediary use it?
Yes — you can authorize a lawyer, accountant, or other intermediary to file for you. But only give a company key to someone you actually trust to act on the corporation's behalf.
Security considerations
- Never post a company key in email chains, chat channels, or public documents.
- Store it the way you store passwords — a password manager is fine.
- If you suspect it's compromised, request a new one immediately.