Register a Business in BC
Register your business in British Columbia online. Choose the registration or business structure that fits your needs, submit your information, and receive your completed documents electronically.
Get it Done in 3 Simple Steps
1
Choose Your Registration
Select the business structure or registration service that fits your needs and complete the online form with the required information.
2
We Review and Prepare Your Filing
Your information is reviewed for completeness before the required documents are prepared for submission.
3
Receive Your Documents
Once the registration is complete, your documents are sent electronically so you can move forward with your business.
Sole Proprietorship
- For a business operated by one proprietor
- Simple structure for starting a business
- Proprietor is responsible for business liabilities
- Register an approved business name in BC
- Registration documents prepared for submission
- Completed documents delivered electronically
General Partnership
- For businesses operated by two or more partners
- Partners combine resources to carry on the business
- Partners generally share responsibility for business obligations
- Register an approved partnership name in BC
- Registration documents prepared for submission
- Completed documents delivered electronically
Limited Partnership (LP)
- Includes at least one general and one limited partner
- Different roles apply to general and limited partners
- Limited partners generally have limited liability
- Registered office in British Columbia required
- Registration documents prepared for filing
- Completed registration documents provided
Limited Liability Partnership
- Registered form of partnership in British Columbia
- Specific liability rules apply to its partners
- Registration under the Partnership Act is required
- Registration under the Partnership Act is required
- Registration documents prepared for submission
- Completed registration documents provided
Trade Name/Operating Name
- Register another name used by an existing business
- Commonly called a DBA or operating name
- Allows an existing entity to operate under another name
- Business name approval required before registration
- Registration documents prepared for submission
- Completed documents delivered electronically
Register Your Business in British Columbia
Starting a business in BC begins with choosing how it will be structured. Common options include a sole proprietorship for one owner, a general partnership for two or more partners, or a corporation owned by shareholders. Limited partnerships and LLPs provide additional partnership structures with their own requirements. B.C.’s current business guidance identifies sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and corporations as the three common for-profit structures.
Why Choose BC Business Register?
Multiple Registration Options: Choose from sole proprietorships, partnerships, trade names, and BC incorporation services.
Online Ordering: Provide the information required for your selected registration through an online process.
Filing Preparation: Your documents are prepared according to the registration or structure you select.
Order Review: Information is reviewed for completeness before the filing is prepared for submission.
Electronic Document Delivery: Receive your completed registration documents electronically after processing.
Which BC Business Structure Is Right for You?
Choosing a business structure affects ownership, responsibility for business obligations, and how the business is legally organized.
A sole proprietorship may suit an individual who wants to operate a business personally. A general partnership allows two or more partners to carry on business together. LPs and LLPs provide alternative partnership structures with different rules for partner roles and liability. A BC corporation is a separate legal entity owned by its shareholders.
If an existing business simply needs another name under which to operate, a trade name or operating name may be appropriate instead of creating a new corporate entity.
The legal and financial implications differ by structure. B.C. itself recommends consulting a lawyer or chartered professional accountant when advice is needed about which structure is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about registering a business in British Columbia, including business names, registration requirements, partnerships, and incorporation.
Start by choosing the appropriate business structure and, when required, obtaining approval for your business name. You can then complete the applicable registration or incorporation process. Requirements vary depending on whether you choose a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
If you operate a sole proprietorship under a business name, you generally need to reserve the name and register the business in BC. If you operate solely under your own personal name, B.C. says you do not need to request a business name or register the business with the province.
A sole proprietorship has one proprietor who is responsible for the business and its liabilities. A corporation is a separate legal entity owned by shareholders and follows separate incorporation and ongoing corporate requirements.
A general partnership involves two or more partners carrying on business together and generally sharing responsibility for its obligations. A limited partnership has at least one general partner and one limited partner, with different roles and liability rules.
An LLP is a partnership registered under B.C.’s Partnership Act with specific rules governing partner liability. The liability protections have statutory exceptions, and a B.C. LLP must maintain a registered office in the province.
A trade name or operating name is another name under which an existing business operates. It may also be referred to as a DBA, meaning “Doing Business As.” B.C. Registry materials recognize this type of registration.
No. Incorporation is one option. Depending on your circumstances, you may operate as a sole proprietor or through a partnership instead. B.C. identifies sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and corporations as its three common for-profit business structures.
Registration as a sole proprietorship or partnership and incorporation create different legal structures. Incorporation creates a separate corporation, while a sole proprietorship or partnership does not create the same separate corporate entity. Legal, tax, liability, and financing considerations can affect which option is appropriate.
If you’re registering a sole proprietorship or general partnership under a business name, the name must generally be approved first. An individual operating a sole proprietorship solely under their personal name does not need to request a business name or register the business provincially.
Yes. B.C. Registry materials allow a corporation or another business to be the proprietor of a registered business name, commonly referred to as a DBA or operating name.
No. Provincial business registration and business licensing are separate requirements. Depending on the business and where it operates, additional municipal, provincial, federal, or industry-specific permits and licences may be required.