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Due diligence searches

Last updated on August 20, 2026

You can request a search for unresolved complaints involving a specific company. For example, you can find out if a company for sale owes unpaid wages.

When Employment Standards completes the search, we will notify you by email about any unresolved complaints involving the company.

Due diligence searches won't provide information about:

  • The complaint itself, such as the allegations or the amount of unpaid wages
  • The employer's past record, such as resolved complaints
  • Any unpaid wage liabilities of a company's directors or officers
  • Complaints that haven't been filed yet – employees can file a complaint up to 6 months after their last day of work

Submit a search request

Use the following steps to complete and submit a search request.

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Get permission

You must get written authorization from the employer's business granting you permission to request a search.

  • The authorization must be addressed to the Employment Standards Branch or Ministry of Labour
  • It must specifically authorize the Employment Standards Branch to release information about the named business to you
  • You must submit it within 3 months after the employer signs it

If you're searching for multiple business names, you must have authorization from each business to be searched.

 

Submit the search request and pay the search fee

You must pay a $35 non-refundable search fee for each legal name searched. For example, you would pay a fee of $70 to search 2 legal names.

Depending on your chosen method of payment, you can submit the search request in different ways.

Pay online with credit card

You can complete the due diligence search request online to reduce processing time and pay using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). Debit cards (such as Interac or Visa Debit) cannot be used to pay the search fee.

Submit your request

Pay by phone with credit card

If you want to pay by phone using a credit card, you can submit your request online first and follow the instructions at the end of the process.

Pay by cheque

You can also submit your request online if paying by cheque. After you submit your request, mail the fee (payable to the Minister of Finance) to the address below. Write the case number or the business name(s) being searched on the cheque. We’ll send you confirmation when we receive your search request and payment.

Employment Standards Branch
PO Box 9570 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC  V8W 9K1

If sending by courier (or if a signature is required for delivery):

​Employment Standards Branch
200-880 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC  V8W 2B7

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References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation