After I receive a signed copy of the engagement letter along with the corresponding retainer, I proceed to incorporating your company.
Typically, the incorporation process involves taking the following steps:
- Choose the desired name and corporate designation for your company. Also, think of two alternate names, to be used in case the name of your choice is already in use by another company. The corporate designation can be either:
- Limited (Ltd.),
- Corporation (Corp.)
- Incorporated (Inc.).
I will perform a search for your name against existing corporate names on the BC Corporate Register. You can read here more information about how to correctly choose the name of your corporation.
If the company name is available, I will proceed with the Name Reservation. The Corporate Registry will answer in approximately 24 hours. If the name reservation request is approved, I can proceed to the actual incorporation. If the name reservation request is not approved, I will provide you with the explanation for the reasons of the rejection and assist you with selecting another name for your corporation.
Note: You may choose a numbered company for faster results and change to a named company later. The Corporate Registry will automatically issue a number for your corporation and it will look like 0715266 B.C. Ltd. The corporate designation for a numbered company is always "Ltd."
- Provide me with the full names and street addresses of the directors, officers and shareholders. Under the new BC Business Corporations Act that came into effect on March 29, 2004, there are no residency requirements for a company's directors, officers, and shareholders. This make BC the best choice
for non-residents who want a Canadian corporation.
- Provide me with the British Columbia street address for the corporation's registered office. Every Canadian corporation requires a registered office and a records office. The address must be a physical location in the province of incorporation or any province if you incorporate federally (postal boxes are not acceptable). If you don't have a BC address, or don't want to use the BC address that you do have, I can act as registered office for the corporation.
- Decide upon a simple or complex share structure with common or preferred shares (Class "A" or "B" shares). I will assist you in choosing the best share structure for your corporation.
- Proceed with the incorporation. As soon as I gathered all the needed information, I can proceed with the incorporation. Once the incorporation is complete, I will email you a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporate Registry will mail the original to my office within a few business days.
- Prepare the minute book. All incorporated firms are required by law to maintain an up-to-date minute book which should be accessible to all members of the firm at the company's registered office. The minute book contains corporate tabs, the certificate of incorporation, notice of articles, articles of incorporation, incorporation application, registers of shareholders and directors, share certificates, director and shareholder resolutions, director's consents and share subscriptions. After the minute book has been properly formed, you will need to sign the documents. I will prepare a banking package for you that you can use to open a bank account for your newly formed corporation.
Contact me for an initial consultation
604.351.9124 |
