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.
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.
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. To ensure you have all the information you need before you start your application.
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.
British Columbia Online Incorporation Service for Only $99 Plus Government Fees. Incorporate Now
Business Corporations are incorporated in British Columbia, according to the provisions of the British Columbia Business Corporation Act with the British Columbia Corporations Division. Company Formations Canada provides fast and easy British Columbia Incorporation Service and provides all the documents your new British Columbia corporation will need to stay up-to-date and in compliance with the British Columbia Business Corporation Act.
Our British Columbia Incorporation service includes:
Receipt and review of your incorporation information.
If you choose to incorporate a named company, we conduct a Provincial or NUANS prescreen search of your proposed corporate name and advice you if there are any difficulties with your name.
Preparation and filing of Article of Incorporation.
Personalized ByLaws
Personalized Company Minute Book
Organizational Resolutions
Register of Directors
The resignation of Director Form
Appointment of Corporate Officers
The resignation of Officer Form
Subscription of Shares
Share Certificate
Register of Shareholders
Consent and waiver for allotment of shares
Directors’ resolutions approving the allotment of shares
Consent and waiver for transfer of shares.
Shares Transfer Form
Directors’ Resolutions Approving Transfer of Shares
Bylaws
Notice of Organizational Meeting of Incorporators and Directors
Waiver of Notice of Meeting of Incorporators and Directors
Minutes of Organizational Meeting of Board of Directors
Waiver of Notice First Meeting of Shareholders
Minutes First Meeting of Shareholders
Notice to Directors of Regular Board Meeting
Minutes Shareholders Annual Meeting
Minutes Regular Board Meeting
Provincial-specific startup checklist
