How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate in Quebec? (2026 Fees)
In 2026, incorporating a business in Quebec costs a minimum of $397, the government fee for the certificate of incorporation of a Quebec corporation. The total then depends on your method: about $397 doing it yourself, $497 all-inclusive with an online service like Incorp-Québec, $840 to $950 with other commercial services, and generally $750 to $3,500 with a lawyer or notary.
Incorporating in Quebec: the 4 options compared
2026 rates — Registrar government fees included in the totals.
| Method | Total cost (first year) | Time and effort | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourself with the Registrar | $397+ your time and the risk of errors | Several hours on the government portal, with no guidance | Nothing is prepared for you: articles, forms and initial declaration to draft on your own — any mistake is on you |
| Incorp-Québec — Essential packageRecommended | $497 all-in$397 government fees included | Online form in about 20 minutes — we prepare, verify and file everything for you | Articles of incorporation, initial declaration with the REQ, NEQ, numbered company, directors’ and shareholders’ declaration |
| Other online services | $840 to $950approximately, all-in | Comparable online process, higher price | Similar offers, with options and fees often billed extra |
| Lawyer or notary | $750 to $3,500depending on file complexity | By appointment, on the firm’s timeline | Personalized legal advice — relevant for complex structures (shareholder agreements, trusts, estate freezes) |
This guide breaks down every fee using the exact 2026 rates of the Quebec Registrar of Enterprises: first-year cost, annual fees, a numbers-based comparison of your options, provincial vs federal cost differences, real-world examples and the hidden costs to plan for. For how the process itself unfolds, see the steps to incorporate.
What are the Registrar of Enterprises fees in 2026?
The Registrar of Enterprises charges $397 for the certificate of incorporation of a Quebec inc. under regular processing, or $595.50 under priority processing. Name reservation costs $27 ($40.50 priority) and the initial declaration is free of charge when filed within the prescribed deadline.
Here is the 2026 government fee schedule for the most common procedures:
| Procedure | Regular fee 2026 | Priority fee 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $27 | $40.50 |
| Certificate of incorporation (Quebec inc.) | $397 | $595.50 |
| Initial declaration (within the prescribed deadline) | No fee | Fees apply |
| Annual registration fee — corporation | $106 | N/A |
| Registration — sole proprietorship | $41 | — |
| Federal online incorporation (Corporations Canada) | $200 | — |
| REQ registration of a federal corporation active in Quebec | $397 | — |
| Federal annual return | $12 | N/A |
Priority processing is not mandatory: it is a paid option to speed up the processing of your application. To understand the role of the Registrar, the NEQ and the obligations that follow incorporation, see our complete guide to the Quebec Enterprise Register.
How much does the first year cost, then each year?
In the first year, budget $397 in government incorporation fees, plus $27 if you reserve a name. From the second year on, the corporation pays a $106 annual registration fee to the Registrar and must file its annual updating declaration, generally free of charge when submitted within the prescribed deadline.
| Item | Year 1 | Following years |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of incorporation | $397 | — |
| Name reservation (optional) | $27 | — |
| Initial declaration (within the prescribed deadline) | No fee | — |
| Annual registration fee | — | $106 per year |
| Annual updating declaration | — | Generally free within the deadline |
In other words, keeping a Quebec inc. in good standing generally costs $106 per year in recurring government fees, provided the declarations are filed on time. Late filings can lead to penalties, and repeated failure to file can result in cancellation ex officio.
Do it yourself, online service or lawyer: what is the total cost?
You have three options: handle the process yourself ($397, plus your time and the risk of errors), use an online service ($497 all-inclusive with Incorp-Québec, versus about $840 to $950 with competing services), or retain a lawyer or notary (generally $750 to $3,500).
| Option | Indicative total cost | What is generally included | Worth considering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourself with the Registrar | $397 | Government fees only | Your time, the complexity of the portal and the risk of errors in the articles or declarations |
| Incorp-Québec — Essential | $497 all-inclusive | Government fees included, articles of incorporation, initial declaration with the REQ, numbered company, directors and/or shareholders | About 45% less than the cheapest competing commercial service observed in July 2026 |
| Other online services | About $840 to $950 all-in | Varies by provider (market range observed in July 2026) | Check whether government fees are included in the advertised price |
| Lawyer or notary | $750 to $3,500 | Personalized legal advice, tailor-made structure | Relevant for complex structures or situations requiring a legal opinion |
Every option has its place. If your situation calls for a legal opinion (complex shareholder structure, advanced tax planning, potential dispute), a lawyer remains the right choice. For a standard incorporation, a document preparation service generally gets you the same result with the Registrar, at a fraction of the price.
$497 all-inclusive, government fees included
The Incorp-Québec Essential package covers the government fees, the preparation of your articles of incorporation, the initial declaration with the REQ, and the director and shareholder structure. No hidden extras: the advertised price is the final price.
Provincial or federal: which costs less?
Federal incorporation costs $200 online, but a federal corporation carrying on activities in Quebec must generally add $397 for its registration with the REQ, plus $12 per year for the federal annual return. For a business active in Quebec, going federal therefore often ends up more expensive than the provincial route.
| Item | Quebec inc. | Canada inc. active in Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | $397 | $200 |
| Registration with the REQ | Included in the Quebec process | $397 |
| Initial total | $397 | $597 |
| Federal annual return | N/A | $12 per year |
| Annual registration fee (REQ) | $106 per year | Depending on the applicable category |
The $200 federal fee looks attractive at first glance, but it only tells part of the story: the dual structure (Corporations Canada + Quebec Registrar) means two files to maintain and two sets of annual obligations. The choice between the two regimes depends on your situation — notably whether you plan to operate in several provinces — and not on cost alone.
Cost example — Federal corporation active in Quebec
An entrepreneur chooses the federal regime because he plans to operate in several provinces, while keeping his main activities in Quebec.
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Federal online incorporation | $200 |
| Registration with the REQ (corporation active in Quebec) | $397 |
| Initial total | $597 |
| Federal annual return (recurring) | $12 per year |
| Annual registration fee, REQ (recurring) | Depending on the applicable category |
Two real-world cost examples based on your project
Here are two typical scenarios with the actual 2026 amounts, to visualize the total cost of your project.
Example 1 — Self-employed worker incorporating as a numbered company
A consultant wants to move from a sole proprietorship to a corporation, without a specific business name (numbered company, e.g. 1234-5678 Québec inc.).
| Option | Details | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourself | $397 in government fees + preparing the articles, the initial declaration and the share structure on your own | $397 + your time |
| Incorp-Québec — Essential | Government fees included, articles of incorporation, initial declaration with the REQ, numbered company, directors and/or shareholders | $497 all-inclusive |
For $100 more than the government fees alone, the complete file is prepared and filed, which reduces the risk of errors in the articles or the initial declaration.
Example 2 — Business with an official name and tax registrations
An entrepreneur is launching a shop and wants a corporation with an official name, registered for GST/QST and for source deductions in order to hire.
| Option | Details | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Doing it yourself | $27 (name reservation) + $397 (incorporation) + GST/QST and source deduction registrations to complete yourself with Revenu Québec | $424 + your time |
| Incorp-Québec — Complete | Everything in Essential + company with an official name + GST/QST tax registration + source deductions registration + express service + processing on non-business days | $697 all-inclusive |
Once registered for the taxes, she will have to collect GST and QST on her sales: our GST/QST tax calculator instantly computes the applicable amounts in 2026.
What hidden costs should you plan for after incorporation?
Beyond government fees, you should generally budget for the corporation's minute book, an accountant's fees for the corporate income tax returns, and, when there is more than one shareholder, a shareholder agreement. These costs vary depending on the professionals you choose and your situation.
- The minute book: the internal record that gathers the corporation's articles, by-laws, resolutions and registers. It can be kept in paper or digital form, and its cost depends on the format and provider chosen.
- The accountant: a corporation files its own income tax returns (federal and provincial), separate from yours. Fees vary with the complexity of the file and the professional chosen.
- The shareholder agreement: strongly recommended as soon as there is more than one shareholder. It is generally drafted by a lawyer or notary, and its cost depends on the complexity of the structure.
- Annual fees and updates: the $106 annual registration fee and the annual updating declaration come back every year. Forgetting them can lead to penalties, or even cancellation ex officio.
These expenses are not incorporation fees strictly speaking, but they are part of the real cost of owning a corporation. Budgeting for them from day one avoids unpleasant surprises.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about the cost of incorporating in Quebec
How much does it cost to incorporate in Quebec in 2026?
A minimum of $397, the government fee for the certificate of incorporation. The total cost varies by method: $397 doing it yourself, $497 all-inclusive with Incorp-Québec, about $840 to $950 with other online services, and generally $750 to $3,500 with a lawyer.
What are the Registrar of Enterprises fees for a Quebec inc.?
In 2026: $397 for the certificate of incorporation under regular processing ($595.50 priority), $27 for name reservation ($40.50 priority), no fee for the initial declaration filed within the prescribed deadline, then a $106 annual registration fee every year.
How much does federal incorporation cost?
Federal online incorporation costs $200 with Corporations Canada. A federal corporation active in Quebec must generally add $397 for its registration with the REQ, for a total of $597, plus $12 per year for the federal annual return.
Is it cheaper to incorporate yourself?
On paper, yes: you only pay the $397 in government fees. In practice, you must add your time and the risk of errors in the articles, the initial declaration or the share structure — errors that can cost time and money to correct afterwards.
How much does incorporating with a lawyer or notary cost?
Generally between $750 and $3,500, depending on the complexity of the file and the professional chosen. This option makes sense when your situation requires a legal opinion, for example a complex shareholder structure or specific planning.
How much are the annual fees after incorporation?
For a Quebec corporation, the annual registration fee is $106 in 2026. The annual updating declaration is generally free of charge when filed within the prescribed deadline.
Does Incorp-Québec's $497 price include the government fees?
Yes. The $497 Essential package includes the government fees, the preparation of the articles of incorporation, the initial declaration with the REQ, the numbered company and the director and/or shareholder structure. There is no additional amount to pay to the Registrar.
Is a numbered company cheaper than a company with an official name?
Yes, generally. A numbered company avoids the name reservation ($27) and the verifications tied to choosing a name. With Incorp-Québec, the numbered company is included in the $497 Essential package, while the company with an official name is part of the $697 Complete package.
Ready to incorporate your business without blowing your budget?
You now know the real cost of incorporating in Quebec in 2026 — and if you are still weighing the right moment, our guide on when to incorporate puts numbers on the decision. Incorp-Québec prepares your complete file — government fees included — for $497 (numbered company) or $697 (official name, GST/QST and source deduction registrations, express service). A document preparation service, transparent from start to finish.