Incorporate a society

Where to find the form

You can complete the incorporation form online using YCOR. You  need to:

• Create or log in to your YCOR account
• Click "new entity"
• Enter your name reservation number
• Complete the form

Or, you can download and complete the paper form and submit it to Corporate Affairs.

Form 1 ‒ Application for incorporation of a Yukon society. 

Video walk-through 

 

How to fill out the form

Section 1: Name and name reservation number

The name of the society must match the name appearing on the certificate of name reservation.

Section 2: Fiscal year end

Identify when the society’s fiscal year end will be. It's usually at the end of a month.

When deciding on a fiscal year end, consider when it's most convenient for the society to hold its annual general meeting.

Societies must hold an annual general meeting within 4 months after the end of the fiscal year. Then, they have to submit their annual report within 30 days after the annual general meeting.

Section 3: Incorporators

A society must have at least 3 incorporators at the time of incorporation.

Section 4: Registered office addresses

Every society must have a registered (physical) office in Yukon. This office is where all communications are sent and where all documents may be served.

“Delivery address” refers to a physical location. Include an address or other description to identify a person’s home or place of business. This does not include a post office box.

“Mailing address” refers to where you receive mail. Include a complete mailing address, including the postal code. This address can be a person’s home, place of business or post office box.

Section 5: Purposes of the society

A society may be incorporated for 1 or more lawful purposes. Examples of purposes of the society may include the:

• relief of poverty or disease;
• advancement of education;
• advancement of religion; or
• advancement of any cultural, recreational, athletic or other activity or program that's beneficial to a Yukon community.

The name and purposes of a society form its constitution. Other information, including operational information, may be included in the society’s bylaws. If your society wants to be a member-funded society, you must indicate that in your constitution.

Section 6: Does your society want to become a member-funded society?

A member-funded society is funded by its members and exists for the benefit of its members. Member-funded societies are not allowed to receive government funding, public donations or be a registered charity.

Member-funded societies are allowed to have a minimum of one director and no directors are required to be Yukon residents. There are also different rules about providing financial statements and paying board members. 

If you want to incorporate as a member-funded society, you must include the following statement in your constitution:

This society is a member-funded society. It is funded primarily by its members to carry on activities for the benefit of its members. On its liquidation or dissolution, this society may distribute its money and other property to its members.

If you are considering incorporating as a member-funded society, contact our Societies Advisor to learn more about what this class of society means. Email societies@yukon.ca or call 332-7950. 

Section 7: Bylaws of the society

Societies have 2 options

Option 1: Adopt a sample set of bylaws created by the Department of Community Services. There are 3 samples sets available:

• Best-practices bylaws, which incorporate bylaws that aren't required but are considered best practice;
• Basic bylaws, which allow you to select options and customize your bylaws yourself; or
• Bylaws for member-funded societies. 

 

Option 2: Develop customized bylaws. These must follow but the new legislative requirements, as set out in section 12 of the new Societies Act.

Your society's bylaws cannot violate other legislation, such as:

• human rights legislation;
• the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms; and
• other statute and case law.

When a member-funded society becomes a Class A or B society

A member-funded society ceases to be a member-funded society when it receives funding or donations, or when it decides it wants to be able to apply for funding or receive donations.

If the society adopted the model member-funded bylaws and then later wants to become a Class A or B society, it will have to amend its bylaws to conform to the Societies Act. It will also need to amend its constitution to remove the part specific to member-funded societies.

If you are in this situation, contact the Societies Advisor for support by emailing societies@yukon.ca. 

Section 8: Directors

A society must have 3 or more directors. These could be the same people as the incorporators, or you could appoint additional directors. At least 1 director must normally live in Yukon.

A member-funded society must have at least 1 director. The director does not have to be a Yukon resident. Provide the full name of the director and do not use initials.

How to submit the forms

Online

You can submit your incorporation forms online through the Yukon Corporate Online Registry. They will be processed immediately.

On paper

You can submit incorporation forms by mail or in person. If you submit in paper form, the information you provide on the form must be legible. Make sure you complete each section. Paper forms will take up to 10 business days to process.

After the form is completed, submit it along with the fee.

How to pay

Online

File your incorporation through the Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR) and pay the $50 fee with a credit card.

On paper

The fee for filing on paper is $70.

Deliver your documents to us

If you are filing using a paper form, you can drop off forms at our office or in our secure drop box in the lobby.

When you put your forms in our secure drop box, you can include:

• cash;
• cheque; or
• a payment information form to contact you for credit card payments.

Submit your documents by mail, fax or email

Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 867-667-5314, or toll free in Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5314
Fax: 867-393-6251
Email: corporateaffairs@yukon.ca

Mail:
Government of Yukon
Corporate Affairs (C-6)
Box 2703,
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6