The Corporate Registry predates British Columbia as a province. It was established on November 13, 1858, when the law of England, as it then existed, was proclaimed in force in the Colony of British Columbia. The oldest, still active, domestic corporation was incorporated in November of 1860.

The Corporate Registry provides the legal framework within which all businesses, not-for-profit societies, cooperative associations and financial institutions operate in British Columbia and files documents for the incorporation, registration, maintenance and dissolution of these entities. This information is made available to the public.

The Corporate Registry administers all matters related to approximately 285,000 active domestic corporations; 24,000 not-for-profit societies; 352,000 partnerships and proprietorships; and 590 cooperative associations. It also registers and keeps a record of 25,900 entities incorporated elsewhere but doing business in the province, referred to as extraprovincial companies.