Registration
How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in BC
BC business registration for a sole proprietorship: name requests, the $40 filing, and what happens after. A clear walkthrough for BC owners today.
BC business registration for a sole proprietorship depends entirely on the name you plan to use. If you operate under your own legal name, British Columbia does not require you to register anything with the province. If you want to trade under any other business name, you must first have that name approved and then register the sole proprietorship through BC Registries and Online Services.
Do you need to register a BC sole proprietorship?
A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure in Canada: you and the business are the same legal person, and business income is reported on your personal T1 return using form T2125. In BC, that structure requires no provincial filing when you operate under your own legal name exactly (for example, "Jordan Lee" rather than "Jordan Lee Consulting").
You need to complete the province's two-step process when you:
- trade under a name that is not your own legal name, such as "Pacific Coast Tutoring";
- add words that create a business name, such as "Studio", "Services" or "and Associates";
- want a name you can put on invoices, contracts, signage and a bank account; or
- operate as a partnership or an incorporated company, where different rules apply.
Registration is not a licence and it does not give you exclusive rights to the name. It simply tells the public who is behind the business.
How to register a BC sole proprietorship, step by step
- Request the name. File a name request through the BC Business Registry and pay the name request fee. Approval reserves the name for 56 days, so register promptly.
- Create a BC Registry account. You sign in with a BC Services Card or a BC Token.
- Register the sole proprietorship. File online in the BC Business Registry, or in person at a Service BC location. Both routes carry the same registration fee.
- Keep your records. Save the Statement of Registration and the business number you are issued; banks, suppliers and municipalities may ask for them.
- Use online filings for later changes. Corrections, address changes and dissolution are handled in the registry. There is no renewal step.
What BC business registration costs
Fees are set by the Province of British Columbia and are the same whether you file online or at a Service BC counter. Confirm current amounts on gov.bc.ca before you file.
| Item | Amount (as of the current tax year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name request (required for a business name) | $30 | Reserves an approved name for 56 days; an online name request adds a $1.50 service fee plus tax |
| Priority name request | $100 | Optional faster review |
| Sole proprietorship registration | $40 | Online or at a Service BC location |
| Typical total | $70 | $30 name request plus $40 registration |
| Annual renewal | None | Stays active until changed or dissolved |
A province-by-province cost comparison helps if you are deciding where to set up.
What the BC name request does — and does not do
A name request is not a search report. It is an application to the registrar to approve and reserve a name, and it must be approved before you register. It gives you no ownership of that name and no protection from others using something similar; trademarks are a separate, federal matter. Approval generally lapses if you do not register within the reservation window. If you are unsure whether a proposed name conflicts with an existing one, review how business name searches work in Canada.
After registration: business number, tax and local licences
Once the registration is processed, the registry issues a business number for the proprietorship. That provincial number is separate from the federal Business Number (BN) you may need from the CRA. Depending on your activity you may need to:
- register for a GST/HST account once you exceed the CRA's small-supplier threshold — confirm the current threshold on canada.ca;
- open a payroll deductions account if you hire staff, and remit CPP and EI;
- hold a municipal business licence, issued by the city or regional district where you operate;
- carry provincial or sector permits, such as food, child care or trades licensing.
Set up CRA My Business Account to manage BN program accounts online.
Changes, dissolution and annual filings
BC sole proprietorships have no renewal cycle. Unlike incorporated companies and societies, they do not file annual reports. Update the registry when your address or business name changes, and file a dissolution when you stop operating. If you want to sell the business or bring in a partner, the structure changes and so do the filings.
Considering another province or a federal registration?
An extra-provincial registration may be needed if you operate in more than one province, and the rules differ in each one. Compare the process in Alberta, or review federal versus provincial business registration. For structure questions, see sole proprietorship versus corporation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a sole proprietorship in BC?
Registering a sole proprietorship with BC Registries and Online Services costs $40, whether you file online in the BC Business Registry or in person at a Service BC location. Because most business names require an approved name request first, add $30, bringing a typical total to $70 as of 2026. An online name request also adds a $1.50 service fee plus tax. Confirm current fees on gov.bc.ca before filing.
Do I need to register a business name in BC if I use my own name?
No. If you carry on business under your own legal name, British Columbia does not require a name request or a provincial registration. Any other business name — including one that adds words such as "Consulting" or "and Associates" — requires both an approved name request and a sole proprietorship registration. Municipal business licences and CRA program accounts may still apply.
How long is a BC name request valid?
A name request approval reserves the name for 56 days. You must complete the sole proprietorship registration before that window closes, or the reservation can lapse and you may need to file again. The request does not give you ownership of the name or protect it from use by others. Priority review is available for an additional fee.
Does a BC sole proprietorship have to be renewed every year?
No. A BC sole proprietorship registration has no renewal cycle and stays active until you change or dissolve it. Annual reports are required for incorporated companies and societies, not sole proprietorships. You may still need to renew municipal business licences, permits or professional certifications separately, and you should keep the registry updated when your address or business name changes.
Do I need a business number for a BC sole proprietorship?
Registration through BC Registries issues a provincial business number for the proprietorship. Separately, the CRA issues a federal Business Number (BN) when you register for program accounts such as GST/HST or payroll deductions. Not every sole proprietor needs a BN; it depends on your revenue and whether you hire staff. Confirm current thresholds and obligations on canada.ca.