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Corporate Registry Search and Copy Work

What information is available?

The Corporate Search and Copy Work section provides information on a particular company, partnership/proprietorship, society or cooperative association:

  • through a corporate search;
  • photocopies of documents;
  • certified copies;
  • letters under seal; and/or
  • certificates of good standing and status.

Note: Certificates of status will not be issued for extraprovincial companies as the Corporate Registry is not aware of the status of the extraprovincial company in its incorporating jurisdiction. However, a letter under seal, certifying that an extraprovincial company is registered in B.C. will be issued.

Certificates of status will not be issued for companies in dissolution proceedings.

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How can searches be conducted?

  • At Government Agent offices (payment by cheque or cash).
  • In Vancouver, at SmallBusiness BC.
  • By mailing a request directly to the Corporate Registry (payment by cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance).
  • Through a title search company (check the yellow pages in your local telephone book under Title Search Services).
  • Holders of a BC OnLine account can request a search at any of the above locations or conduct a search online through BC OnLine.

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How can a certificate of good standing for a B.C. company or extraprovincial company be ordered?

  • Clients who do not have a BC OnLine deposit account, can order a certificate of good standing by completing the Certificate of Good Standing Order Form (PDF86KB) and mailing it, together with a cheque or money order, to BC Registry Services.  Refer to the form Instructions for additional information.
  • Or clients may wish to contact a title search company (check the yellow pages in your local telephone book under Title Search Services.)
  • Holders of a BC OnLine deposit account are able to request a certificate of good standing electronically over Corporate Online and receive the certificate in a PDF file.  Refer to Corporate Online for additional information.
  • Holders of a BC OnLine deposit account who prefer to receive a paper certificate rather than a PDF file, can order a certificate of good standing by completing the  Certificate of Good Standing Order Form (PDF86KB) and faxing it to BC Registry Services.

Effective April 27, 2009, under the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement, Alberta companies are no longer required to file an extraprovincial annual report in British Columbia. Certificates of Good Standing, previously issued based on the timely filing of annual reports, will no longer be issued to companies in Alberta.

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How can a certificate of good standing for a society, extraprovincial society, cooperative association, credit union or a private act company be ordered?

  • Clients who do not have a BC OnLine deposit account, can order a certificate of good standing by completing the Certificate of Good Standing Order Form (PDF86KB) and mailing it, together with a cheque or money order, to BC Registry Services.  Refer to the form Instructions for additional information.
  • Or clients may wish to contact a title search company (check the yellow pages in your local telephone book under Title Search Services.)
  • Holders of a BC OnLine deposit account can order a certificate of good standing by completing the Certificate of Good Standing Order Form (PDF86KB) and faxing it to BC Registry Services.

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How can other services be requested?

  • At the Corporate Registry.
  • Through a title search company (check the yellow pages in your local telephone book under Title Search Services).
  • Holders of a BC OnLine account can request copy work in person at the Corporate Registry.

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Using BC OnLine.

Search access is available through BC OnLine for users with a BC OnLine account. BC OnLine is an electronic service that provides access to many Government of British Columbia databases on a fee for service basis from your home or office.

BC OnLine also provides access to submit your name approval requests electronically.

Go to the BC OnLine Web site for a full description of the services available or if you wish to open a BC OnLine account.

BC OnLine account holders may fax the Corporate Search and Copy Work section at 250 356-0206 for copy work or other services. The fax request must be on the client's company letterhead and must include the client's BC OnLine account number and specific request instructions, including the requested entity's name and number. Searches should be completed by the client prior to faxing the request for service.

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Fees

This information is provided as a service to the public and is not intended as a replacement or interpretation of the legislation. Some fees shown are authorized by Ministerial Directive under the Financial Administration Act.

Note: Refunds will not be processed for amounts under $10 unless specifically requested by the client

Your cheque or money order should be made payable to the Minister of Finance.

GST is not applicable.

General Fees - the following fees apply to all acts under the Corporate Registry
To obtain a search of each corporation or file:
  • By government personnel
$10.00
To obtain copies or an extract of any document or record:
  • Search fee
$10.00
  • Plus photocopy fee per page
$0.50
  • Total (plus $0.50 for each additional page)
$10.50 +
To obtain a certificate of good standing:
  • Certificate
$25.00
  • Search fee
$10.00
  • Total
$35.00
To obtain a certificate of status:
  • Certificate
$25.00
  • Search fee
$10.00
  • Total
$35.00
To obtain a letter under seal:
  • Basic fee
$25.00
  • Search fee
$10.00
  • Total
$35.00
To obtain a certified copy of any document or record:
  • Basic fee
$25.00
  • Search fee
$10.00
  • Photocopy fee per page
$0.50
  • Total (plus photocopy fee)
$35.00 +
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The Corporate Registry only provides Internet access to corporate search information to BC OnLine account holders. Go to the BC OnLine Web site if you wish to open a BC OnLine account.

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