BC Registries and Online Services
Important Update: BC will re-start the dissolution process for corporations beginning April 5th, 2022.
Have your say on a consultation for the renewal of business names in BC. Please review the information and fill out the survey
BC Registries and Online Services administers and supports the legal framework to:
- Operate a business, not-for-profit society, cooperative association or financial institution in B.C. Organizations must register, file documents and update records, which are kept as a matter of public record
- File and manage personal property liens
- Maintain the provincial register of manufactured home details and control their movement in B.C.
Stay current with improvements to online services through the Modernization Initiative. Check out other news and updates.
SEARCH / REQUEST business or organization records
All Registry files are accessible to the public for a fee. Registrations of businesses, not-for-profit societies, cooperatives, other entity types are administered and supported by BC Registries Search Unit.
- General Search for Summary – Small Claims
- Certificate of Status
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Letter Under Seal
- Copies of Filled and Registered Documents
- Certified Copies of Filled and Registered Documents
- Court/Federal Certified Copies of Filed and Registered Documents
- No Letter Record
Request information about businesses or organizations registered in B.C.
Search for manufactured homes or liens
Search for personal property liens
If you already know what to do, go directly to the online service you need.
If you're moving within B.C., use this service to update your business or personal records with provincial and local government organizations.
Online access to government information products, filings and registrations for private and public sector business customers. Popular products and services include:
- Corporate records and filings
- Manufactured Home Registry services
- Personal property liens and registrations
There is a fee for most transactions. Make payment using a BC OnLine deposit account or by credit card when accessing services through Corporate Online, Name Requests Online, or when filing an annual report for a society.
You can use a Business Registry account if you previously used BC OnLine to:
- Request names for businesses or organizations (you don't need an account to request a name and pay by credit card)
- Start a benefit company
- Complete filings for cooperative associations
You cannot use the Business Registry to make filings for limited companies.
Complete transactions for incorporated companies. Here are some examples:
- File an annual report
- Incorporate a company
- File an alteration to the company's share structure
- Change the company's registered office address
- Update director information
Complete business registrations across all levels of government and apply for other permits and licences you may need at the same time. For example, you can:
- Register a sole proprietorship, general partnership or a "doing business as" (DBA) name
- Register for a PST and WorkSafeBC coverage with the provincial government
- Register with CRA for GST, payroll or an import-export account
- Initiate the process for municipal business licensing
Complete filings and transactions for societies. Here are some examples:
- Submit a name approval request for a society
- Incorporate a society
- File a transition application
- File an annual report
- Change the society's registered office address
- Update director information
- Change bylaws
- Access certified documents
Find out how long it will take to have a transaction or filing processed: Check current processing times.
Contact the BC Registries helpdesk Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. They do not provide business or legal advice.
Email: BCRegistries@gov.bc.ca
Toll free: 1-877-526-1526
Victoria: 250-387-7848
Mailing address
PO Box 9431 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9V3
Courier address
200 - 940 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3E6
BC Registry application
Businesses and organizations must register, file documents and update records, which are kept as a matter of public record.
Incorporated companies
Incorporating a business creates a corporation (or company). There are different types of corporations. Limited companies are the most common.
- Incorporate or manage a company
- Amalgamate corporations
- Dissolve or restore a corporation
- Register an extraprovincial (out-of-province) corporation
If you already know what to do, go directly to Corporate Online or the BC Registry application (for benefit companies).
Search: Request information about a company registered in B.C.
Sole proprietorships and partnerships
A sole proprietorship is a business with only one owner. A partnership company is operated by two or more parties.
- Start a business
- Register a "doing business as" name
- Make changes to a business
- Dissolve or end a business
If you already know what to do, go directly to the OneStop Business Registry.
Search: Request information about a sole proprietorship or partnership registered in B.C.
Cooperatives
Cooperatives (co-ops) offer essential products or services like housing, food or health care. They are owned and operated by the people who use them.
- Incorporate (paper filing) or maintain a co-op
- Dissolve or restore a co-op
- Restore a co-op
- Register an extraprovincial (out-of-province) co-op
If you already know what changes to make, go directly to the BC Registry application .
Search: Request information about a cooperative registered in B.C.
Societies
In B.C., not-for-profit organizations are known as societies. They're independent, democratic organizations that follow the Societies Act and their own constitution and bylaws.
- Incorporate or maintain a society
- Amalgamate societies
- Dissolve or restore a society
- Types of societies in B.C.
If you already know what to do, go directly to Societies Online.
Search: Request information about a society registered in B.C.
Personal Property Registry
Liens can be registered against personal property (e.g. boats, cars or trailers) as security to make sure a debt or loan is repaid. Use the Personal Property Registry to:
- Search for personal property liens
- Register a security agreement or lien
- Change, renew or discharge a registration
If you already know what to do, go directly to Personal Property Registry.
Manufactured Home Registry
The sale, transfer or purchase of a manufactured home needs to be registered to protect a person's investment in the home. Use the Manufactured Home Registry to:
- Register and keep information up to date
- Search for manufactured homes or liens
- Use a qualified supplier
- Become a qualified supplier
If you already know what to do, go directly to BC OnLine.
