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Registered and Records Offices
What is a registered office
What is a records office
Where should the registered and records offices be?

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What is a registered office

Each B.C. company must have an official legal address, called the registered office. Any legal documents can be sent to this address. For example, if someone is suing a company, court documents delivered to the registered office are deemed legally served -- even if no one from the company actually sees or reads them!

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What is a records office

Each B.C. company must also have a records office. The company must keep certain records there, such as
  • the incorporation certificate
  • memorandum and articles
  • lists of shareholders and directors
  • directors' and shareholders' resolutions
Some of these documents can be viewed by the public; others, by shareholders; and still others, only the directors can see. The company must keep its records office open to the public at least two consecutive normal business hours each day (except weekends) to allow for possible inspection.

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Where should the registered and records offices be?

Companies commonly keep the registered and records offices at a lawyer's office. If a legal notice, such as a lawsuit, is sent there, the lawyer can try to locate the company's directors and respond to the action. Even if your lawyer cannot find anyone from the company, she can usually either contact the other side and request more time, or else file an initial response on behalf of the company.

Your lawyer's office is typically open during normal business hours, and can easily make the records available for public inspection. She will also know which documents may be viewed by the general public, which can be viewed by the shareholders, and which can be seen by the directors only, and restrict access to those records accordingly.


choosing a name | kinds of shares | memorandum and articles | shareholders, directors, and officers | registered and records offices


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Legal disclaimer:  The information provided on Lawyers-BC.Com is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues commonly encountered. Your access to and use of this Web site is subject to additional terms and conditions.

This page last updated: August 26, 1999
© copyright 1999 Lawyers-BC.Com Services Ltd.


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