Sole proprietorships and partnerships

1.

OPTIONAL: If you're not sure which business structure you should choose, consider the different business structure options available. You may also want to:

• Explore resources from the Small Business Branch or Small Business BC
• Get advice from a chartered professional accountant or lawyer before setting up your business

2.

Request and reserve a business name online ($30 fee)

Businesses must have their name approved and confirm that it doesn't conflict with a name already being used by a corporation. Only incorporated companies, cooperatives or societies can guarantee exclusive use of their name. Find out how to choose the right name.

If you're unable to submit a request online, complete the Name Request form (PDF, 117KB) and mail it or drop it off at a Service BC location with payment. Make cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance.

Check current processing time. Once it's complete, you'll receive a confirmation email and a name request number you can use to register your business. Be sure to complete the registration before the name request expires (56 days after it's approved). If not, you'll need to submit another name request. Request priority service ($100 fee) if you need to have a name approved in 1 to 2 business days.

Register a "doing business as" (DBA) name to operate an existing company under another name (e.g. a numbered company that does business under a DBA name). Any company or organization can use this option except sole proprietorships.

3.

Register a sole proprietorship or general partnership using one of the following options.

• Online using the BC Business Registry ($40 fee)
• You will need a basic or premium BC Registry account to register your business online
• In person at a Service BC location ($40 fee)
• Payment options
•  Cash or debit
•  Visa or MasterCard
•  Cheque or money order payable to the Ministry of Finance

Register a limited partnership ($165 fee) or limited liability partnership ($275 fee) using one of the following forms. **This is a paper filing only.**

• Declaration for British Columbia Limited Partnership (PDF, 468KB)
• Registration Statement for Limited Liability Partnership (PDF, 205KB)

Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships can register as an extraprovincial partnership. Companies from, or that plan to do business in, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba can follow the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA) process to register.

Check processing times. When the registration is completed, a copy of the Statement of Registration and business number will be mailed to you. 

4.

Register with government partners

View the Small Business Resource Handout for information on how to register with local, provincial and federal partners.