Registering a Corporation

Registering with the Registrar of Companies

If you are a corporation operating within the province of BC, you must register with the provincial Registrar of Companies. If you wish to expand your company activities outside of its provincial jurisdiction at a later date, you need to obtain an extra-provincial license from every other province in which you plan to open an office or have a presence.

NB: Incorporating can be an involved process and it is recommended that you seek the advice and services of a lawyer and/or an accountant.

Filing for Incorporation
If you plan to incorporate, you can file the necessary forms on the Internet using Corporate Online (Incorporation applications can only be processed online)

By filing the necessary paperwork online and paying the prescribed fees, one or more individuals can form an incorporated company.

Relevant Acts
The following acts provide for an Incorporation and formation structure for people like you who are going into business. They do not enable entry into the marketplace or provide licensing.

Business Corporations Act: Companies are incorporated in BC according to the provisions of this act. It stipulates the rights of shareholders, directors and the rights of other parties.

Cooperative Association Act: This act provides for the Incorporation of associations for the purpose of carrying on business on a cooperative basis. Unlike the Company Act, each member of a cooperative association has one vote, regardless of the number of shares held by each member.

Incorporation Process
The first step in Incorporation is the approval of your business name using the same Name Approval Request Form as required for a sole proprietor or Partnership.

If the name of the company is to be its Incorporation number, for example 123456 B.C. Ltd., a name approval is not required and the number will be assigned at the time of Incorporation.

The new Business Corporations Act replaces the Company Act and includes many changes to corporate rules applicable to companies incorporated in British Columbia. For more information on transitioning from the Company Act to the Business Corporations Act, visit the Coporate Registry.

Please Note: As of March 29, 2004, the registration of Incorporation in British Columbia must be completed on-line. Further information on the Incorporation procedure and the on-line registration is available at: http://www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca.

Before you begin the online registration process, ensure you have the following information on hand:

  • The name reservation number for the proposed company, if applicable
  • The date and time the Incorporation is to take effect
  • The names and addresses of the incorporator(s)
  • The names and addresses (delivery and mailing) of the director(s)
  • The mailing and delivery addresses for the proposed registered and records offices
  • The authorized share structure for the proposed company
  • Any translation of the company name that the company intends to use outside Canada

Note: For more information you can visit the Business Corporations Act Project

Current Fees
Name Approval Request: $45 including tax
Basic Fee for Incorporation: $350
Basic Fee for Incorporation - Cooperative: $250

Contact Information
Contact Small Business BC or
Registrar of Companies:
2nd Floor-940 Blanshard Street,
Victoria, BC
Mailing address:
PO Box 9431 Stn Prov Gov
Victoria, BC
V8W 9V3
Tel: (250) 387-7848
(604) 775-1041 in Greater Vancouver.
Fax: (250) 356-0206