Change of Registered Office Address in Alberta
Complete guide to updating your corporation's registered office address with Alberta Corporate Registry, including deadlines, forms, and legal requirements.
Good Standing AI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information in this Knowledge Base is for general informational purposes only and may not be accurate or up-to-date. You should verify any procedures with official sources and consult qualified legal professionals for guidance.
🏢 What is a Registered Office Address Change?
Changing a corporation's registered office address in Alberta means updating the official physical address on record with Alberta's Corporate Registry. This must be done by filing the required notice form within 15 days of any address change.
⏰ Critical Deadline: Changes must be filed within 15 days of the address change
Legal Requirements
📍 Address Requirements
✅ Acceptable Addresses
- • Street address in Alberta
- • Legal land location in Alberta
- • Physical business location
❌ Not Acceptable
- • PO Box or postal address only
- • Addresses outside Alberta
- • Virtual or mail-only locations
⚖️ Legal Basis
- Alberta Business Corporations Act (RSA 2000, c B-9):
- • Section 20(1): Must maintain registered office in Alberta
- • Section 20(5): Notify Registrar within 15 days of change
- Form REG3016: Official Notice of Change of Address form
- Federal corporations: Also file Form 3 with Corporations Canada
⚠️ Compliance Consequences
Failure to update the registered office address can result in non-compliance status. Persistent failure to maintain a registered office can lead to corporate dissolution by the Registrar.
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Confirm New Address Eligibility
Verify that your new registered office meets Alberta requirements:
Address Checklist
- • Must be a physical street address or legal land location in Alberta
- • Cannot be just a PO Box (though you can add a mailing address separately)
- • Must be a location where legal documents can be served
- • Should be accessible during business hours
Board Resolution or Approval
Although not strictly required by statute, it's good practice to document the change:
Recommended Documentation
- • Board resolution authorizing change
- • Meeting minutes recording decision
- • Officer authorization if delegated
Corporate Records
- • Update minute book records
- • Notify shareholders of change
- • Update business documents
Complete the Notice of Address Form
Required Form: REG3016
Use Alberta Form REG3016 – Notice of Address or Notice of Change of Address (Business Corporations Act)
Form Completion Requirements:
- • Corporate name (exactly as registered)
- • Access number from incorporation certificate
- • Current registered office address
- • New registered office address
- • Effective date of change
- • Signature of authorized officer/agent
Submit Via Service Provider
Registry Agent Submission (Recommended)
- • Take completed form to authorized Alberta Corporate Registry agent
- • Provide valid government-issued ID
- • Pay service fee (no government fee for address changes)
- • Receive filing confirmation
Direct Filing Option
Mail or email to Service Alberta Corporate Registry:
Email: registry@gov.ab.ca
Filing and Record Retention
After Filing Requirements
- • Corporate Registry: Updates public records with new address
- • Corporation: Keep copy of filed notice in minute book
- • Notifications: Update shareholders and stakeholders of new address
- • Federal corporations: Also file Form 3 with Corporations Canada within 15 days
Federal vs Provincial Corporations
🏛️ Alberta Corporations
Filing Requirements:
- • Form REG3016 to Alberta Corporate Registry
- • No government filing fee
- • Registry agent service fee applies
- • 15-day deadline from address change
🍁 Federal Corporations (CBCA)
Filing Requirements:
- • Form 3 to Corporations Canada
- • Government filing fee applies
- • 15-day deadline from address change
- • Still must register in Alberta if doing business here
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must file the change?
The company's directors or officers (or a person authorized by them) must ensure the address update is filed. In practice, an authorized registry agent handles the filing on the corporation's behalf.
What is the deadline for filing?
15-Day Deadline for Both Provincial and Federal Corporations
- • Alberta law requires filing within 15 days of the address change
- • Federal corporations (CBCA) also have a 15-day deadline with Corporations Canada
- • Late filing can result in non-compliance status
Can a PO Box be used as a registered office?
No. The registered office must be a physical location in Alberta (street or legal land address). A separate postal or mailing address (such as a PO Box) can be provided in addition to, but not in place of, the physical address.
Are there fees for filing the change?
Alberta Corporations
- • No government fee for address changes
- • Registry agent service fee applies
- • Typically $50-100 depending on agent
Federal Corporations
- • Corporations Canada charges filing fee
- • Check current federal fee schedule
- • Online filing typically less expensive
What happens if I don't update the address?
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
- • Corporation may be placed in non-compliance status
- • Legal documents may not reach the corporation properly
- • Registrar has authority to dissolve corporations without proper registered office
- • May face difficulties with banking, contracts, and legal proceedings
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📚 Sources & References
- • Alberta Business Corporations Act, RSA 2000, c B-9, sections 20(1) and 20(5)
- • Form REG3016 – Notice of Address or Notice of Change of Address (Business Corporations Act)
- • Canada Business Corporations Act, RSC 1985, c C-44, section 19(4)
- • Form 3 – Change of Registered Office Address (Federal)
- • Service Alberta Corporate Registry guidelines and forms
- • Alberta Government corporate compliance resources