British Columbia: BC Registries and Online Services
How to search
Start with the official search. It is listed first because it comes straight from the registry.
- BC Registry business search (sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-ops, benefit companies)
- BC OnLine (corporations, limited partnerships, societies)
What you get
The newer BC Registry search may show some basic details for free before you pay.Unconfirmed. We haven't confirmed this on an official page yet. Confirm with the registry: Request business records
Step-by-step guides
Fees
| Search | $7 per searchSource |
|---|---|
| Profile report | Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: Forms, fees and information packages |
| Certificate of status | $35Source |
| Name reservation | $30 ($130 priority)Source |
| Name search report (NUANS or equivalent) | Set by the NUANS vendorSource |
| Business name registration | $70($40 registration + $30 Name Request)Source |
| Business name renewal | Not publishedUnconfirmed. The registry doesn't publish this online. Confirm with the registry: Forms, fees and information packages |
| Incorporation | $380($350 filing + $30 Name Request)Source |
| Annual return | $43.39Source |
| Extra-provincial registration (Canadian corporation) | $380($350 filing + $30 Name Request)Source |
| BC OnLine search | $7 + $1.50 service charge per searchSource |
| BC OnLine account setup | $100Source |
| Certificate of good standing | $35($25 certificate + $10 search)Source |
| Copy of a document (first page) | $10.50Source |
| Copy of a document (each further page) | $0.50 per pageSource |
| Incorporation (unlimited liability company) | $1,030Source |
Good to know
- When to register a business name: You trade under any name other than your own. A sole proprietor using only their own name needs no Name Request and no registration.Source
- Corporations, limited partnerships and societies are searched in BC OnLine. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-ops and benefit companies are in the newer BC Registry search.Source
- A BC OnLine account has a setup fee and can't be opened for a one-off search.Source
- Owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-ops and benefit companies can download their own business summary for free.Source
- No GST is charged on these registry fees.Source
- A NUANS report isn't required. BC's own Name Request does the name check.Source
- Companies from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba follow different extra-provincial rules under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement.Source