Incorporating a Limited Company
Below are the basic steps for forming (incorporating) a company in B.C. There are other steps that must be considered, such as setting up minute or records books, establishing a central securities register and issuing share certificates as well as ongoing reporting requirements such as Annual Reports, Change of Directors, address changes. Please seek legal advice to ensure all requirements have been met.
Step 1: Request Name Approval and Reservation
To ensure the public is not confused or misled by similar corporate names, new corporate names must be approved by BC Registries and Online Services.
If you choose to use the incorporation number as the company’s name (for example 0123456 B.C. Ltd), you do not need a name approval and reservation. The incorporation number is assigned by us at the time the incorporation application is filed.
Learn how to submit a name request
Step 2: Establish Your Company’s Articles
The articles are the rules for the company, shareholders, directors and officers and they become part of the company’s formal records.
A standard set of articles (Table 1) is provided under Appendix 1 of the Business Corporation Regulations for companies to use. These articles are meant to be used without amendment. If you need to customize the articles, please seek legal advice.
Find a copy of the standard set of articles (Table 1)
Step 3: Prepare an Incorporation Agreement
An incorporation agreement must be signed by each person (incorporator) forming the company. Usually the incorporators will become the shareholders and directors once the company is incorporated.
See sample incorporation agreement adopting the Table 1 Articles
The agreement becomes part of the company’s records and must contain:
The agreement of each incorporator to take one or more shares of the company
The signature of each incorporator opposite their full name and the date each incorporator signed the agreement
The number of shares of each class being taken by each incorporator.
There is no need to file the Incorporation Agreement online. You need to keep the agreement in your records book. When opening a bank account, the bank may also ask to see this document.
Step 4: File an Incorporation Application
Submit an online incorporation application through Corporate Online. To ensure you have all the information you need before you start the online application, we recommend you fill out a paper copy of the application first.
Get paper copy of the application
Go to Corporate Online to complete the application
When using Corporate Online you can pay by credit card.
Look up filing fees
If you cannot file the application electronically, you can file through BC OnLine if you are an account holder or prepare the paper forms and contact a law firm or registry agent to submit the forms for you. Check with the law firm or registry agent regarding additional fees.
Step 5: Keep Documents as Part of Your Company’s Records
Once your application is processed and payment received, we will send you the following documents by email or mail (depending on the notification method you selected):
The original Certificate of Incorporation
A certified copy of the Incorporation Application
A certified copy of the Notice of Articles
A cover sheet that includes the company’s incorporation number and business number
Keep these documents as part of the company’s records. You will need the incorporation number when you file other documents with us.
You will need your Business Number when applying for a GST number or other accounts at Canada Revenue Agency or the Ministry of Finance.