Application review process

When we first receive an application, we verify that it is complete (all the information and documents requested on the application form are included).

• If an application is complete, we send the applicant an acknowledgement letter. The letter states the approximate amount of time it will take before the application is assigned to an officer for review.

• If an application is incomplete, we reject it and return it to the applicant.

If we need clarification or more information

We may contact the applicant for more information and documentation to help us decide on an application. We may also offer the applicant the opportunity to amend its purposes so that they accurately reflect its activities. Generally, the applicant will have 60 days to respond. If the applicant:

• provides us with a response that fails to show that its purposes and activities are charitable, we will likely deny the application, and will provide a written final decision.

• believes that it has already provided all the required information, it can notify us in writing and we will provide a written final decision.

• does not provide a response, we will consider its application abandoned and its file will be closed without further notice. An applicant does not have the right to appeal a decision to close an application because the applicant was not officially denied registration.

If we refuse to register

If we determine that an applicant's purposes or activities are clearly not charitable, we will send a letter stating that we have denied the applicant registration.

If we deny registration, an applicant can appeal the decision by filing a notice of objection to the following address within 90 days of the day our letter was mailed:

Assistant Commissioner
Appeals Intake Centre
Post Office Box 2006, Station Main
Newmarket ON  L3Y 0E9

If we approve registration

If we approve registration, we will send a notice of registration. This notice includes an organization's:

• rights and responsibilities as a registered charity
• registration number
• effective date of registration

The notice of registration should be kept in a safe place - accessible to all authorized representatives of the charity.

Find out standard processing times

With the Check CRA Processing Times tool, you can quickly find out when you can expect us to complete your request or get back to you. To use the tool, select the relevant information from the drop-down menus, and it will display the length of time we expect it will take, based on our service standards.

References

• Apply to become a registered charity
  
• Describing your activities
• What is a governing document?