Named vs. Numbered Company in BC: Which Should You Choose?
When incorporating a business in British Columbia, one of your first decisions is whether to register a named or numbered company. Both options establish a corporation, but they differ in name approval requirements, initial costs, branding, and future administrative considerations.
A named company operates under an approved corporate name that you choose. A numbered company receives a legal name based on an incorporation number assigned by the BC Corporate Registry.
Understanding these differences can help you avoid unnecessary expenses, make informed branding decisions, and select an incorporation process that suits your business.
This guide compares named and numbered companies in BC, explains the government fees for 2026, and explores when each option may be appropriate.
Quick Answer: Named vs. Numbered Company in BC
A named company in BC uses an approved corporate name and requires a $30 Name Request. A numbered company receives an assigned legal name and does not require separate name approval. Both have the same $350 basic incorporation fee. Your decision depends primarily on branding needs, timing, upfront costs, and future administrative considerations.
Named vs. Numbered Company in BC: Comparison
| Feature | Named company | Numbered company |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name | Approved corporate name | Assigned incorporation number |
| Name approval | Required | Not required |
| Basic government incorporation fee | $350 | $350 |
| Additional Name Request | $30 | $0 |
| Combined basic government fees | $380 | $350 |
| Processing considerations | Requires prior name approval | No separate corporate name approval |
| Branding | Uses a chosen corporate name | May use a separate operating name |
| Operating name | Permitted, subject to requirements | Permitted, subject to requirements |
| Legal name change | Possible | Possible |
| Common applications | Businesses using a recognizable corporate name | Holding companies, investment businesses, and companies without a finalized name |
What Is a Named Company in BC?
A named company is a corporation registered under a custom legal name approved by BC Registries and Online Services.
For example, an entrepreneur opening a landscaping business might propose the fictional name Cedar Peak Landscaping Ltd.
A named corporation allows the entrepreneur to align the company’s legal identity with the brand they intend to establish, provided the proposed name is approved.
How does a named company get its name approved?
Before incorporating a named company, you must complete the provincial Name Request process.
BC generally evaluates proposed corporate names using three components:
- Distinctive element: Identifies the business and distinguishes it from other registered businesses.
- Descriptive element: Describes the company’s activities or services, where required.
- Corporate designation: Identifies the company as a corporation, such as Ltd., Inc., or Corp.
For the fictional example Cedar Peak Landscaping Ltd., Cedar Peak is the distinctive element, Landscaping is descriptive, and Ltd. is the corporate designation.
BC permits certain alternative naming structures, so not every approved name must contain a separate descriptive element.
You can submit up to three proposed names in order of preference. The Registry reviews the alternatives if an earlier choice cannot be approved.
Once approved, a name is reserved for 56 calendar days. You must complete the incorporation before that reservation expires.
For more information, read our BC business name approval guide.
Advantages of a named company
A named corporation can simplify branding when its legal name is also the name customers recognize.
Potential advantages include consistent identification across business documents, marketing materials, and customer communications. Businesses that have already finalized their brands can also establish their corporate identities during incorporation.
However, these benefits depend on how the company intends to operate. A separate operating name may be more appropriate when the business markets itself under multiple brands.
Limitations of a named company
Named incorporation involves additional name approval requirements and costs.
Your preferred name may be rejected because it conflicts with an existing business, lacks sufficient distinctiveness, or contains restricted wording.
A named corporation also does not automatically receive registered trademark protection.
Before investing heavily in branding, research existing names, trademarks, and relevant domain names.
What Is a Numbered Company in BC?
A numbered company is a corporation that uses an incorporation number assigned by the BC Corporate Registry as its legal name.
For example, a numbered company might have a name in the format 1234567 B.C. Ltd. The BC Corporate Registry assigns the number during incorporation, so applicants cannot choose their preferred incorporation number.
The significant difference is that a numbered BC company using its assigned legal name does not need to obtain a separate Name Request.
This eliminates the additional corporate name approval stage and its associated fee.
Advantages of a numbered company
A numbered corporation may be worth considering when a recognizable corporate name is unnecessary, or the entrepreneur has not yet finalized a business name.
For example, an investor establishing a company primarily to hold assets may have limited need to market the corporation’s legal name.
An entrepreneur planning to launch a business under a separate operating name may also consider numbered incorporation.
The main practical advantages are avoiding the separate corporate name approval requirement and preserving the ability to decide on branding arrangements later.
Limitations of a numbered company
A numerical legal name may be difficult for customers to remember or associate with a brand.
A company may also need to explain the relationship between its operating name and its registered corporate identity when dealing with banks, suppliers, customers, and contractual partners.
If the owner eventually decides to change the corporation’s legal name, additional filings and expenses may apply.
Importantly, numbered companies are not anonymous entities. Choosing a numerical corporate name does not eliminate applicable disclosure obligations or prevent relevant corporate records from being searched.
Named vs. Numbered Company in BC: Key Differences
Although both options create a corporation, several practical differences can influence your decision.
1. Name approval requirements
A named company requires approval of its proposed corporate name before incorporation.
BC Registries reviews the proposed name according to provincial naming rules. Applicants can submit up to three choices through one Name Request.
A numbered company does not require this additional approval when it uses the incorporation number assigned by the Registry.
This distinction also explains why the standard government fees differ.
2. Incorporation costs
The standard government incorporation fee is identical for named and numbered BC limited companies.
However, named companies require an additional $30 Name Request, bringing their combined basic government charges to $380.
Numbered companies avoid that separate fee and have a basic government incorporation cost of $350.
Any applicable online transaction charges, optional services, and professional assistance are additional.
3. Processing time
A numbered company bypasses the separate corporate name approval stage.
A named company requires approval before the incorporation application can proceed.
As a result, numbered incorporation removes one potential source of delay, although it does not guarantee immediate incorporation.
Government processing times can change depending on the filing method, registry workload, and whether additional documents are required.
If timing matters, check the BC Registry processing times before submitting your application.
4. Branding and business identity
A named corporation may be convenient when the intended legal corporate name is also the business’s public-facing brand.
For example, a consulting company that operates under its registered corporate name can use consistent identification across its website, invoices and corporate records.
A numbered company can also establish a recognizable brand by registering a separate operating name.
Therefore, choosing a numbered company does not prevent a business from developing a distinct brand.
5. Legal status and tax treatment
A standard named BC limited company and a standard numbered BC limited company are not different legal structures simply because of their names.
Both are corporations established under the applicable provincial corporate framework.
Their names do not independently determine corporate income tax rates, shareholder liability protections, or eligibility for particular tax treatment.
Actual tax and liability outcomes depend on the company’s circumstances, activities, and applicable laws.
6. Future flexibility
Both options allow businesses to change their legal corporate names by completing the applicable provincial requirements.
However, a numbered corporation does not necessarily need a corporate name change to develop a recognizable business identity.
It may instead register an operating name while retaining its numbered legal identity.
Understanding this distinction can help businesses avoid unnecessary corporate changes.
How Much Does a Named vs. Numbered Company Cost in BC in 2026?
One common question is whether incorporating a numbered company is substantially cheaper than incorporating a named company.
For standard BC limited companies, the difference in basic government charges is $30.
The BC government’s published corporate forms and fee schedule establishes the following amounts.
| Government fee | Named company | Numbered company |
|---|---|---|
| Standard incorporation | $350 | $350 |
| Name Request | $30 | $0 |
| Basic government total | $380 | $350 |
These figures exclude applicable online transaction fees, optional priority processing, professional assistance, and incorporation service-provider charges.
A named company may also incur additional costs if its Name Request expires before incorporation or it needs to submit another independent request.
What about the cost of changing the company’s name later?
The published basic government charge for changing a BC company’s legal name is $100, plus a $30 Name Request where applicable.
This produces a combined basic government cost of $130 for a standard change from a numbered name to a newly approved corporate name.
Additional transaction and professional service charges may apply.
A later corporate name change can also require updates to banking information, contracts, business records and other administrative documents.
Consider both the initial incorporation costs and any foreseeable future changes when deciding how to register.
Ready to incorporate your company in BC?
BC Business Register provides online incorporation services for both named and numbered BC companies.
Named or Numbered Company: Which Fits Different BC Businesses?
The appropriate naming arrangement depends on how your company will operate and how important its legal corporate name is to its brand.
The following examples illustrate considerations for different business situations.
| Business scenario | Naming considerations |
|---|---|
| Retail business | A named corporation may simplify branding when its legal name matches the store’s public identity. |
| Consulting company | A named corporation may provide consistency if clients recognize the consultant’s corporate name. A numbered company can also register an operating name. |
| Holding company | A numbered name may be suitable when the corporation primarily holds assets and does not need a public-facing brand. |
| Real estate investment company | Consider whether the corporation’s name will be used publicly or mainly for property ownership and administration. |
| Entrepreneur without a finalized brand | Numbered incorporation avoids the need to select and obtain approval for a custom corporate name immediately. |
| Business operating multiple brands | Either corporate naming approach may work with appropriately registered operating names. |
These are practical examples, not legal requirements. The relevant considerations can differ for regulated professionals, complex ownership arrangements and businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Example: A BC holding company
Suppose an entrepreneur wants to establish a corporation primarily to hold shares in another business.
If the corporation will not market products or services directly to customers, a recognizable corporate name may be a relatively minor consideration.
A numbered name could accommodate that arrangement without a separate corporate Name Request.
However, an entrepreneur intending to develop a group of businesses under a common corporate identity may have different branding priorities.
BC Business Register offers BC incorporation services that include named and numbered options for standard companies and holding companies.
Can a Numbered Company Operate Under a Business Name in BC?
Yes. A numbered BC corporation can register an operating name, sometimes called a trade name or doing-business-as (DBA) name, while retaining its numbered legal corporate name.
This arrangement is useful when a business wants a recognizable public identity without changing the corporation’s registered name.
For example, consider the following fictional arrangement:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Registered corporate name | 1234567 B.C. Ltd. |
| Registered operating name | Cedar Coast Home Services |
| Business presentation | Cedar Coast Home Services, operated by 1234567 B.C. Ltd. |
BC Registry guidance specifically recognizes registering a DBA name for an existing company, including a numbered corporation.
How to register an operating name in BC
The general process involves selecting a proposed business name, requesting approval, and completing the applicable registration.
Once registered, the corporation remains the legal entity operating the business.
For example, registering Cedar Coast Home Services as an operating name would not automatically rename 1234567 B.C. Ltd.
Contracts, banking arrangements, invoices, and other documents should identify the legal corporation appropriately, including its relationship to the operating name where necessary.
Operating-name registration is also separate from trademark protection. Registration alone does not establish exclusive trademark rights throughout Canada.
Learn more about registering a business or operating name in BC.
Can You Change a Numbered Company to a Named Company Later?
Yes. An existing numbered BC corporation can adopt an approved corporate name through the applicable name-change procedure.
This changes the existing corporation’s legal name rather than creating an entirely new company.
The BC Corporate Registry’s guidance identifies a Notice of Alteration as the relevant filing mechanism for a standard corporate name change.
Steps to change a numbered BC corporation’s name
- Choose a proposed corporate name. Select a name that satisfies British Columbia’s naming requirements. Research potentially conflicting business names and trademarks before applying.
- Obtain BC name approval. Submit a Name Request and obtain approval for the proposed corporate name. Complete the next filing before the reservation expires.
- Complete the required corporate authorization. Approve the change according to the Business Corporations Act and the company’s governing documents. The precise authorization requirements depend on the company’s circumstances.
- Submit the Notice of Alteration. Prepare and submit the applicable filing to the BC Corporate Registry, referencing the approved name and necessary corporate authorization.
- Pay the applicable fees. Budget for the published basic government charges of $100 for the name-change filing and $30 for the required Name Request, plus applicable additional charges.
- Update business and corporate records. Once the name change takes effect, obtain the applicable Registry confirmation and update relevant banking details, contracts, government accounts, licences and other business records.
A corporate name change does not ordinarily require dissolving the existing company and incorporating another one.
Businesses should also review whether the change affects registrations in other jurisdictions.
BC Business Register offers assistance with changing your corporation’s name, including relevant corporate documents and registry filing preparation.
How to Incorporate a Named or Numbered Company in BC
Both options involve establishing a corporation under British Columbia’s corporate legislation.
The main procedural difference is whether you need to obtain approval for a custom corporate name before proceeding.
Steps to incorporate a named company in BC
- Select a proposed corporate name and research potentially conflicting names.
- Submit a BC Name Request and obtain approval.
- Prepare the incorporation agreement and the company’s articles.
- Establish the required registered and records offices, directors and authorized share structure.
- Submit the Incorporation Application using the approved name and pay the applicable filing fees.
- Obtain the incorporation documents and organize the company’s required corporate records.
Steps to incorporate a numbered company in BC
- Select the option to incorporate using a numbered company name.
- Prepare the incorporation agreement and articles.
- Provide the required information about directors, offices, and the authorized share structure.
- Submit the Incorporation Application and pay the applicable government fee.
- Receive the company’s assigned incorporation number and completed incorporation documents.
- Complete the necessary corporate organization and recordkeeping requirements.
BC’s Business Corporations Act requires the incorporation agreement, articles and incorporation application for standard provincial incorporation. Choosing a numbered name removes the separate name approval requirement, not the other incorporation obligations.
For assistance with either option, you can incorporate a business in BC through BC Business Register.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing?
Before deciding between named and numbered incorporation, consider the following questions:
- Will customers recognize your legal corporate name? If your business will actively market under its corporate identity, a custom name may be useful.
- Have you finalized your business brand? If not, numbered incorporation allows you to proceed without selecting a custom corporate name immediately.
- Do you need a separate operating name? Either incorporation option may be compatible with registering a distinct business name.
- Are incorporation timing and initial costs important? A numbered company avoids the separate Corporate Name Request and its associated fee.
- Will the company mainly hold investments or business assets? Consider whether a recognizable corporate identity provides any practical benefit.
- Could your corporate identity change later? A future legal name change may involve additional government charges and administrative work.
- Are there special legal or professional requirements? Regulated professionals and businesses with complex arrangements should confirm applicable restrictions before incorporating.
Your choice should reflect how you expect to operate, the importance of branding and whether you are comfortable retaining a numbered legal identity.
Incorporate a Named or Numbered Company with BC Business Register
Choosing between named and numbered incorporation is one part of establishing your company in British Columbia.
Both options create a corporation, but the differences in name approval, costs, and branding can affect the process you follow.
BC Business Register provides online incorporation services for named and numbered BC companies. The service includes filing preparation, order review, and electronic delivery of completed incorporation documents.
Whether you have already selected your corporate name or prefer numbered incorporation, you can begin the appropriate registration process online.
Explore incorporation options for named and numbered companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it better to incorporate a named or numbered company in BC?
The decision depends on your business’s branding, timing and administrative needs. A named company allows you to establish an approved corporate identity during incorporation. A numbered company avoids separate corporate name approval and can still use a registered operating name. Consider how your business will operate before deciding.
2. Is a numbered company cheaper to incorporate in British Columbia?
Yes, in terms of basic government filing charges. Standard numbered incorporation costs $350, while named incorporation costs $380, including the $30 Name Request. Both may involve additional transaction fees and private service-provider charges.
3. Do I need a Name Request for a numbered company in BC?
No. When incorporating a numbered BC company using its assigned incorporation number, you don’t need a separate Name Request. The Registry assigns the company’s incorporation number during the incorporation process.
If you later want to change the company’s legal name to a custom corporate name, name approval will generally be required.
4. How long does it take to incorporate a numbered company in BC?
Numbered incorporation avoids the separate corporate name approval process. However, actual incorporation processing depends on the filing method, application completeness and Registry workload. Check the current BC Registry processing estimates rather than relying on a guaranteed completion time.
5. Can a numbered company operate under a different business name?
Yes. A numbered BC corporation can register an operating or DBA name while keeping its numbered legal identity.
The proposed operating name must satisfy the applicable provincial name approval and registration requirements. Operating-name registration and corporate incorporation are separate processes.
6. Can I change a numbered BC company to a named company later?
Yes. A numbered BC company can generally adopt an approved corporate name through the appropriate corporate authorization and Notice of Alteration.
The published combined basic government charges are $130, including the $30 Name Request and $100 name-change filing fee. Additional applicable charges may apply.
7. Do named and numbered companies pay different corporate taxes?
No. Choosing a named or numbered legal identity does not independently determine a corporation’s income tax rates. Tax treatment depends on the corporation’s actual circumstances and applicable legislation.
Both types of BC corporations also have ongoing corporate filing obligations. Read our guide to the BC corporation annual report for information about annual filing requirements.
8. Does a numbered company offer more privacy?
A numbered company does not automatically provide additional legal privacy or anonymity.
Although its legal name does not contain a custom business name, applicable corporate disclosure and recordkeeping requirements still apply. Certain corporate information is available through Registry searches.
9. Can two businesses have similar names in British Columbia?
It depends on the circumstances. BC Registries considers potential conflicts and whether a proposed name could confuse or mislead the public.
Corporate name rights also differ from rights associated with registered operating names and trademarks. An available business name is not necessarily free from potential trademark disputes.
10. Does BC corporate name approval protect my business name across Canada?
No. Approval of a provincial corporate name does not automatically provide registered trademark protection throughout Canada.
A company intending to build a recognizable brand should consider existing trademark rights and whether trademark registration is appropriate. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s trademarks guide explains these distinctions.
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