Business Name Request & Business Registration or Incorporation in BC

After your Business Name Request has been approved, we’ll automatically begin the next step of the process, which is to register your sole proprietorship or partnership, or incorporate your company as a separate legal entity.

Once complete, you’ll receive your official incorporation or registration documents, including a Statement of Registration or Certificate of Incorporation issued by BC Registries. This document is required to open a business bank account, apply for municipal permits and licenses, and begin operating your business. Be sure to retain a copy of all documents for your own records.

You can submit up to three business names below, ranked by preference, in case your first name choice isn’t available. Only one name will be approved by BC Registries. To approve multiple names, submit separate requests (with separate fees).

Your business name should include a distinctive element (like a name, location, or made-up word) and a descriptive element (what your business does).

If adding on a business designation: Incorporated companies must end with Ltd., Inc., or Corp. Sole proprietorships and Partnerships can use Company or Co., but not corporate endings.

Example: Sunny Side Cleaning Ltd.

• ‘Sunny Side’ is the unique part (distinctive)
• ‘Cleaning’ explains what the business does (descriptive)
• ‘Ltd.’ shows it’s an incorporated company (designation)

Click here to see an expanded list of BC Registries’ business naming rules.