Well, you’ve decided to open a business in beautiful British Columbia. Cheers! You’re in for the adventure of a lifetime, coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions, and the eternal question: “What should I name this thing?”
But here’s the plot twist nobody tells you about: before you can slap that brilliant business name on your storefront, you need to get approval from the BC government.
This article will help you to understand how to choose the best name for your business and get the name approval from the BC government.
What Is Name Approval BC?
Think of name approval as the bouncer at an exclusive club, except the club is “legitimate businesses in BC” and the bouncer is a very thorough government database.
When you want to incorporate a company or register a business name in British Columbia, you can’t just pick any name you fancy. The government needs to make sure your chosen name:
- Isn’t already taken by another business
- Doesn’t mislead the public about what you do
- Follows all the naming rules and regulations
- Won’t confuse your business with an existing one
The bc registry name request process exists to maintain order in the business universe and prevent scenarios like having seventeen different “Vancouver Coffee Co.” operating simultaneously, all claiming to be the original.
Understanding the BC Name Request Process
When Is the Approval of Names Required?
Here’s the thing: not all businesses have to go through the name approval process. If you don’t mind doing business under your own name (example: “John Smith” or “Jane Doe”), you can opt out of the whole process. But if you desire a cool and unique business name—because let’s face facts, who doesn’t?—then you will require approval under the following conditions:
Incorporating a company: Whether it’s a BC company, a Benefit Company, or a Community Contribution Company
Registering an extraprovincial company: If your company is from another province but wants to operate in BC
Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership with a name that’s not just your personal name
The Two Paths: Regular vs. Expedited
When you put in your name request BC, you get two choices:
The Patient Path (Routine Processing)
This is $30 and will take approximately 5 business days. It’s like regular shipping—you’ll get there eventually, and you’ll save some cash. Perfect if you’re planning ahead and not in a rush to launch your empire.
The “I Needed This Yesterday” Path (Expedited Accelerated Path For $100, you can have your name approved in 1-2 business days.This is the business equivalent of paying extra for express shipping because you forgot your best friend’s birthday. We’ve all been there.
The Name Approval Process Step-by-Step
Step 1: Do Your Homework (Name Search)
Prior to falling in love with a business name, check the BC Registry Services database. It is a totally free online service, and believe me, it will spare you the disappointment of rejecting the name that is perfect for you. We also recommend doing a name pre-search online through the trusted service provider like Nuans Canada Online.
Look for:
- Identical or similar names
- Names in the same industry
- Names that sound alike (because “Bright Ideas Marketing” and “Brite Ideaz Marketing” are basically twins)
Step 2: Select Your Name CAREFULLY
Your business name requires three elements:
The Distinctive Element
A distinctive element in a business name is the unique word or phrase that makes your name stand out and sets it apart from others.
For example:
- In “Prairie Fresh Bakery”, Prairie is the distinctive element.
- In “Smith & Co. Consulting”, Smith is the distinctive element.
The Descriptive Element
A descriptive element in a business name is the part that explains what the business does, sells, or offers. It’s not unique—it just describes the nature of the products or services.
For example:
- In “Prairie Fresh Bakery”, Bakery is the descriptive element (it tells people the type of business).
- In “Smith & Co. Consulting”, Consulting is the descriptive element.
The Legal Element
This is a requirement for corporations: Ltd., Inc., Corporation, Corp., Incorporated, or Limitée. It’s like the business equivalent of formal wear—you might not love it, but it’s required at certain events.
Step 3: Avoid Common Mistakes
The BC Registry will reject your name if you:
- Use prohibited words without permission (like “Bank,” “Royal,” “Trust,” “Engineer”)
- Pick something too similar to an existing business
- Choose something obscene (yes, someone has tried)
- Include misleading descriptors
- Forget the legal ending for a corporation
Step 4: Submit Your Request
You can submit your bc name approval request via the online portal of Canada Incorporation Agency. You will need:
- Your suggested name(s)—you may provide no more than three options
- Your contact information
- Payment (you pay with debit/credit card or PayPal)
Step 5: Wait for the approval
Once you’ve submitted your request, the examining officer reviews it with the enthusiasm of someone grading papers—thorough, methodical, and perhaps slightly caffeinated.
They’ll check:
- Provincial databases
- Federal databases
- Trademark registries
- The phonebook (okay, maybe not literally)
If your name gets approved, congratulations! You’ll receive a Name Approval Letter valid for 56 days. That’s your golden ticket to proceed with incorporation or registration.
If it’s rejected, don’t panic. You’ll get an explanation why, and you can resubmit with modifications or choose one of your alternative names.
FAQ about BC Name Approval
How many days does name approval take in BC?
Standard processing will take approximately 5 business days. Expedited will be 1-2 business days, but that is a $100 option. Decide dependent on your schedule and finances.
Can I reserve a business name before incorporating?
Not exactly. The name approval itself acts as a temporary reservation for 56 days. During this time, you need to complete your incorporation or registration using that approved name.
What if the name I like is rejected?
Don’t take it personally, it happens quite often. Check the reasons for your rejection, make the appropriate changes to your name, and try again. This is why submitting multiple names is initially such a lifesaver.
Is a NUANS report required?
For federal incorporations, yes. For BC provincial incorporation, it is not required.
Can I change my business name later?
Yes, but that would involve filing an amendment and possibly having to go through the name approval process again. It also involves making changes from business cards to your website. Avoid the trouble and be wise from the beginning.
What words are prohibited or restricted?
Common restricted words include “Bank,” “Trust,” “Royal,” “Cooperative,” “Engineer,” “Architect,” and professional designations. Using these requires special permissions or licenses.
More about the naming rules in BC you can find out directly on the BC government website.
How similar is too similar to an existing name?
If an average person might confuse your business with another, it’s probably too similar. The registry looks at the overall impression, not just whether words are exactly the same.
Can I use my personal name as my business name?
Absolutely! Using your legal name (like “John Smith”) doesn’t require name approval. But “John Smith’s Automotive Ltd.” would need approval because you’re adding distinctive and descriptive elements.
Wrapping It Up
Getting name approval BC doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With proper planning, creative thinking, and maybe a dash of humor when things don’t go exactly as planned, you’ll have your approved business name before you know it. If you find the process too complicated, just contact the Canada Incorporation Agency at 647-945-8893, and we will make sure your name approval process in BC goes smoothly and without mistakes.
