cozienlaw.com

What It Is

Cozien Nominees is a nominee services and corporate administrative compliance provider for Canadian corporate governance scenarios. It is based in Ottawa, Canada, and works in cooperation with CoLex Legal. Its core offering is not a typical DIY incorporation platform; instead, it focuses on nominee directors, nominee shareholders, registered offices, and corporate secretary maintenance, helping clients address ongoing Canadian corporate compliance and privacy arrangements.

Core Services and Jurisdictions Covered

Its services are relatively focused. First, it provides Canadian resident nominee directors for international clients, especially to help federal corporations meet the requirement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) that at least 25% of directors be Canadian residents. Second, it offers nominee shareholder services, using trustee shareholding structures to reduce, where permitted, the appearance of beneficial owners’ names in public registries. Third, it provides corporate secretary services, including annual filings, director information updates, standard resolutions, minute book maintenance, registered address services, and handling of government mail. The text explicitly refers to Canadian federal and provincial corporations, and also notes differences in director residency requirements across provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Pricing and Onboarding Information

The website content does not disclose package pricing, annual fees, nominee director rates, registered office fees, or payment methods. It also does not specify processing timelines or required documents. Potential clients therefore need to schedule a consultation by phone or email to confirm a quote. Given that nominee directors in Canada may bear legal risks such as unpaid taxes and environmental liabilities, fees are likely to depend on the nature of the company’s business and risk assessment, but no specific amounts are provided in the text.

Pros and Cons

The main advantage is that its compliance logic is explained clearly, especially the distinction between corporate compliance and tax compliance, with emphasis on the importance of Annual Returns, the Minute Book, and Good Standing. The nominee director service also stresses review by legal professionals, with indemnity agreements, resignation letters, and bank authorization arrangements used to define the role. The downside is limited transparency: pricing, timelines, payment methods, and client eligibility criteria are not publicly disclosed. At the same time, nominee directors and privacy-oriented shareholding arrangements do not mean avoiding disclosure obligations. The website also notes that lawful disclosure to banks and the CRA is still required, and clients should obtain independent legal and tax advice.

Who It Is For and Access from China

It is better suited to foreign companies planning to establish a Canadian federal corporation or subsidiary, non-resident investors, entrepreneurs who do not currently plan to relocate to Canada, digital nomads, and clients who need to protect shareholding privacy or maintain Canadian corporate records. For users in China, the website’s accessibility cannot be determined from the text, and payment methods are not disclosed. If you only need low-cost online incorporation, it may be worth comparing local Canadian registration agents or law firms. However, if the priority is resident director support and governance compliance, Cozien Nominees is more closely aligned with that need.