• Business Name Registration
• Name Approval
• Proprietorship, Partnership or Incorporation?
• Registering a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership
• Registering a Corporation
• Federal Incorporation
• Society and Other Legal Structures
• Business License
• Taxation
• Workers' Compensation Board
• Employment Standards

Registering a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership

Issues to Consider

Registering a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership is a decision that involves some research in order to make the right decision for your business. There are a few points to keep in mind. These range from understanding what types of businesses must register, Partnership acts, name duplication and name approval.

Which businesses must register?
If you choose to carry on a business under a name other than your own, you generally need to register.

For trading, manufacturing and mining, the Partnership Act requires you to register a General Partnership with the Registrar of Companies. Contact the Registrar if you require clarification.

A BC Limited Partnership is not formed under the Partnership Act until a certificate has been filed with the registrar of companies. This certificate must state who is to be a general partner when the Partnership is formed and be signed by each person. A Notice of Registered Office must accompany the certificate.

A Limited Partnership formed outside of the province may carry on business in BC if registered under the Partnership Act.

Third parties often require registration for use of a company name. Examples include opening a bank account, registering a motor vehicle, opening a day care and bidding on some government contracts.

Partnership Act
The Provincial Government under the Partnership Act regulates Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships, including registration. You can order a copy of the act by calling Crown Publications in Victoria at (250) 386-4636 or International Travel Maps & Books in Vancouver at (604) 687-3320.

This Act provides for the formation of Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership or a Limited Partnership for people going into business. It does not enable entry into the marketplace or provide licensing.

Name Duplication
On name duplication, the Partnership Act states that:

“The Registrar shall not register a business name that is already a name by which a corporation is registered in British Columbia or a name that so nearly resembles that name that, in the opinion of the Registrar, it is likely to confuse or mislead.”

Name Approval
The Act also says that a Registrar must approve the name. Why does the business name have to be approved? The name approval process prevents the use of names that are so similar as to confuse or mislead people, and provides a record allowing the public to determine which individuals are behind the name.

NB: the Registrar does not have the power to order a change of a name once it has been registered.

Registration process for a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership
The first step in the registration of a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership is the approval of a business name. The approval of a business name is also the first step in incorporating a company, a society or a cooperative.

To register a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership you will need to complete:

A Name Approval Request
A Statement of Registration of General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship

Complete the Name Approval Request Form first and either bring it to our office or mail it to the Registrar of Companies in Victoria. When this form is returned to you with one of your choices reserved (usually within two weeks – one day if completed at Small Business BC) complete the registration by filing the Statement of Registration of General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship form or filing online at www.bcbusinessrgistry.ca within 56 days of the Name Reservation Date.

Current Fees at Small Business BC
Name Approval Request: $42.07 + tax ($45.00)
Basic Fee for Registration: $40 online or $50 + tax ($53.50) paper filing

Contact Information

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 or contact your local Gov. Agent

Name Approval Form

Statement of Registration of General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship