Partnership
Partnerships operating in Nova Scotia must register the name with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies except if you use the personal name of all partners as your business name. For example, you must register Jane Doe & Associates, but you don't need to register Jane Doe & John Smith.
A partnership can take the form of:
- general partnership
- business name
- limited partnership
- limited liability partnership
General partnerships
A partnership does not have a separate legal status from its owners. All profits go to the partners, but they alone are responsible for any losses, liability and taxes. Profits are taxed as personal income.
All of the partners have unlimited liability in a general partnership and in most circumstances each partner can bind the whole partnership to a contract or business deal.
Business name
A limited company can choose to operate under a name other than its legal name. To do so, it must register that name as a 'business name'. Business names are commonly referred to as 'operating names' or 'doing business as' names. Both incorporated businesses and incorporated societies are able to register business names.
Limited partnership
A limited partnership has at least 1 general partner and at least 1 limited partner. A general partner is personally responsible for any liability (unlimited liability). A limited partner has only limited liability. The filing requirements are different from other types of partnerships.
Limited liability partnership
The liability of partners in a limited liability partnership is limited to some degree. This type of partnership can only be formed by:
- barristers
- chartered accountants
- certified general accountants
These professions must meet insurance requirements of their governing bodies to register a limited liability partnership.
For more information on the rights and responsibilities of partners, see the Partnership Act and/or your partnership agreement.
Steps to register
Registering a partnership is a 2-step process. You need to:
- Submit a Name Reservation Request form along with the fee for the name search.
- Submit the Application for Registration of a Business Name, Sole Proprietorship or Partnership in Nova Scotia form along with registration fee once the name has been approved for your use.
When the registration is complete, the Registry will issue you a Certificate of Registration. It is valid for 1 year. To continue to operate your business, you must renew your registration each year on the anniversary of your original registration.
You are also responsible for updating the Registry when any of your information changes.
Costs
Name Reservation Fee for General Partnership, Business Names and Limited Liability Partnerships:
- Provincial search $61.05
- Federal search $76.25
Name Reservation Fee for Limited Partnership:
- Free
Registration Fee:
- General Partnerships $68.55
- Business Names $ 68.55
- Nova Scotia Limited Partnership $ $199.35
- Extra-provincial Limited Partnership $68.55
- Limited Liability Partnership $311.45
Annual Renewal Fee:
- General partnerships renewal $68.55
- Business Names Renewal Fee $ 68.55
- Nova Scotia Limited Partnership $37.40
- Extra Provincial Limited Partnership $68.55
- Limited Liability Partnership $93.40
Contact information
Telephone:
902-424-7770
Toll-Free: (within Canada)
1-800-225-8227
Hours of Operation: (except holidays)
Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Atlantic Standard Time
Fax:
902-424-4633
Mailing Address:
Registry of Joint Stock Companies
P.O. Box 1529
Halifax, NS
B3J 2Y4
Email:
Locations:
Head Office
9th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax
Access Nova Scotia Centre
144 Robert Angus Drive
Amherst
Access Nova Scotia Centre
149 Church Street
Antigonish Mall Annex, Suite 3
Antigonish
Access Nova Scotia Centre
81 Logan Road
Bridgewater
Access Nova Scotia Centre
250 Baker Drive, Suite 134
Dartmouth
Access Nova Scotia Centre
300 Horseshoe Lake Drive
Bayers Lake Business Park
Halifax
Access Nova Scotia Centre
5 Shylah Drive
Kentville
Access Nova Scotia Centre
486 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville
Access Nova Scotia Centre
218 MacSween Street, Suite 22
Port Hawkesbury
Access Nova Scotia Centre
94 Lawrence Boulevard
Access Nova Scotia Centre
380 King's Road
Moxham Centre
Sydney
Access Nova Scotia Centre
15 Alderbrook Drive
Truro Heights
Access Nova Scotia Centre
10 Starrs Road, Suite 127
Yarmouth
Legislation and regulations
For a complete set of rules related to partnerships, see: