How to Register a Company Name in British Columbia

Before you print business cards, get approval for your business name.

Canadian law requires you to register your company name if you are operating a business in British Columbia under a name other than your own name. If you are using your own name, you can't add any other words such as "and Associates," or you will need to register the name. Register your business name within three months of your company's start-up.

Things You'll Need

• Name Approval Request application
• Registration of General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship form
• Appropriate fees

Instructions

1. Choose a company name using the guidelines set out by the Corporate Registry. Your name will be made up of up to three parts. The first, the most important, is the distinctive element. This is the part of your business name that will set its name apart from other similar names. It might be part of your name or a made-up word. The second part, the descriptive element, describes the nature of your business, such as dry cleaner or convenience store. The final element, the corporate designation such as "limited" or "incorporated," is for incorporated businesses only. For all the guidelines, see the Name Approval Request Instructions document in the Resources section.

2. Submit your name for approval by the Name Reservation Unit of the Corporate Registry. You can do this online through the Name Requests Online page of the British Columbia Government website. As of 2010, the fee is $31.58. You can also submit the name in person at a Service BC Centre or OneStop service delivery location. The fee charged by non-government offices varies. The approved name is reserved for 56 calendar days and you must register your business within that time.

3. Complete a Statement of Registration of General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship form, available online. You need to provide general information about your business, such as the mailing address, the nature of the business and the names and addresses of all partners.

4. Register your business by submitting the form online through the British Columbia Government's OneStop Integrated Business Registration. You can also register at a OneStop Service Delivery Site. The fee to register your business is $40 as of 2010.

References

• British Columbia Government: Doing Business in BC
• British Columbia Government: Business Registration---Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• British Columbia Government: Name Approval Request Instructions
• British Columbia Government: Name Requests Online
• British Columbia Government: Doing Business in BC---OneStop Registration
• British Columbia Government: ServiceBC Locations
• British Columbia Government: OneStop Service Delivery Site