Here are the most common questions we receive about BCeID. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.
General BCeID Questions
Why are there different types of BCeID accounts?
Different government services have distinct needs when it comes to privacy, security and information sharing.
Information you provide or access can range from public to highly confidential. For example, business contact information is legally considered public information, while personal contact information is not. Privacy laws protect personal information (for individuals) differently than business information.
Privacy and security legislation and best practices require the BCeID Program to protect the privacy and security of data when using online government services. The different types of BCeID accounts balance the need to provide ease of access with appropriate privacy and security protection.
What type of BCeID do I need to access a BC Government Service?
There are two different types of BCeID accounts - Business BCeID and the Basic BCeID, more information is provided here: BCeID - Types of BCeID
The Service Directory lists many of the services that you can log into using one of the two different types of BCeID accounts. To find the service in the Service Directory go to: https://www.bceid.ca/directories/bluepages/.
If you can't find the service in the directory, check with the service provider and they'll be able to tell you the type of BCeID account you need.
What Type of Business BCeID do I need:
There are 6 types of Business BCeID, registration will depend on your business type: https://www.bceid.ca/aboutbceid/business_type_info.aspx
There are six types of businesses that can register for a Business BCeID.
- Proprietorship or Sole Proprietorship
- General Partnership
- B.C. Corporation
- Extra Provincially Registered Company
- BC Incorporated Society
- ExtraProvincial Non-Share Corporation
Other business types that may register include: limited partnership (LP) and limited liability partnership (LLP), non-registered society, cooperative association, association, charity, or a business registered outside Canada.
Does my BCeID password expire?
Yes. It expires two years from the time it was created or last changed.
What do I do if I forgot my user ID or password?
At the screen where you log in, click “Forgot your user ID or password?” You'll be taken to a screen where you can reset your password or find your user ID.
What if I forget my password and the challenge answers?
If you have a Business BCeID, first contact your Business Profile Manager(s) or Business Account Manager(s). You can search the BCeID Business Directory for their contact information. If necessary, the Business BCeID account owner may contact the Service BC Help Desk for assistance.
For Basic BCeID contact the Service BC Help Desk. If you are still unable to remember your password or answer the security challenge questions, you'll need to register for a new Basic BCeID.
Can I change my password or user ID?
Yes. Both items can be changed in the Manage Account section in the BCeID application once you are logged in.
What is verifying an identity?
Verifying the identity of an individual or business is the process by which an individual, business or organization is able to prove who they are.
To verify the identity for Business BCeID account the following may be required:
- entering an activation code mailed to the verified address, or
- speaking with a BCeID Customer Support Analyst, or
- visiting a BCeID Point of Service office.
Why would I need to visit a BCeID Point of Service location?
When identity verification is required.
If identity verification is required to complete your registration request for a Business BCeID, an authorized BCeID agent needs to confirm that the information provided during registration matches the appropriate identity documents.
Are there BCeID Point of Service locations outside British Columbia?
No. All BCeID Point of Service locations are currently in British Columbia only.
Why do you require some of my personal identification for a Business BCeID?
Typically, there is more than one individual representing a business or organization. Business BCeID is used to access business-related services, such as Mineral Titles Online.
Business contact information is legally considered public information.
The goal of verifying a business for Business BCeID is to confirm business information is accurate and that the individual requesting it is authorized and can be identified.
How long do I have to visit a BCeID Point of Service location after completing registration?
You have 90 days to go to a BCeID Point of Service location to prove your identity and residential address by presenting yourself and supporting documentation.
You must be successful in completing your registration and/or identity verification. If not your Business BCeID request will expire in 90 days.
Otherwise, the Basic BCeID created in the registration process will be available. You can use it to access online services that accept it. If there has been no activity on the Basic BCeID for 27 months, the system deletes it.
You may use your Basic BCeID in the registration of your Business BCeID or choose to create a new Basic BCeID during registration.
You have 90 days for Business BCeID. Business BCeID registration requests edited within the last 30 days of the 90-day period may be extended for 30 days from the date the request was edited, up to but not past the 90 day period.
Why are only Canadian identity documents accepted?
We currently don't have the ability to verify identity documents such as birth certificates or passports from other countries.
Does my identification have to include my middle or other names?
When completing the registration request, the Middle Name field is not required; but if you fill it in, your identity documents must match. Names filled in the Other field are also not required and do not need to appear on identification documents.
Can a Basic BCeID be converted into a Business BCeID?
Yes. When you register for a Business BCeID, you'll have the opportunity to convert your existing Basic BCeID, allowing you to keep your user ID.
I have a Basic BCeID. Can I also have a Business BCeID?
Yes. You can have multiple Basic BCeIDs and only one Business BCeID.
Business BCeID Questions
My business or organization has many people. Do we all register?
No. A single business or organization may only be registered once.
However, this type of account has a Business Profile Manager(s) or Business Account Manager(s) who can create additional BCeID user accounts for employees who may access online service on behalf of the business or organization.
How is a business or organization's identity verified?
It depends on what type of business you're registering for as to how you'll complete this step. Learn more about how to verify a business.
During registration for a Business BCeID, you'll be asked for certain information depending on the type of business and how or if it's registered.
- The BCeID registration system will attempt to verify the business information automatically. If successful, your new Business BCeID is ready to use. If the system is not successful, additional methods may be used, depending on your particular scenario.
- You may be asked to visit a BCeID Point of Service location in-person to complete the verification process.
- An activation code and instructions may be mailed to the Chief Financial Officer of the business at the address verified through an authoritative source, such as BC Registries and Online Services.
Or, if none of these work, a BCeID Customer Support Analyst will contact you by phone or email to discuss your request and determine a suitable authoritative source to verify your business or organization's identity.
Why did I get a Basic BCeID when I registered for a Business BCeID?
A Basic BCeID was created because BCeID was not able to verify the identity of your business during your online registration.
Your Basic BCeID will be automatically converted into a Business BCeID when the identity is verified by the method indicated on your Business BCeID Registration Request Confirmation.
It depends on what type of business you're registering for and how you'll verify your business. Learn more about how to verify a business.
Registering for a Business BCeID first creates a Basic BCeID. You must be successful in completing your registration and/or identity verification. If not your Business BCeID request expires in 90 days.
Otherwise, the Basic BCeID created in the registration process will be available. You can use it to access online services that accept it. If there has been no activity on the Basic BCeID for 27 months, the system deletes it.
What is the Business BCeID Account Management Guide?
The Business BCeID Account Management Guide explains how to use the account management tool to perform tasks such as:
- creating new accounts for your employees
- assigning roles to accounts
- activating subscriptions to online government services
- updating business information
- setting preferences for sharing contact information with other businesses
What is a Business Profile Manager (BPM)?
This is the person who can manage all aspects of the Business BCeID account, such as adding and removing users, updating business information, activating subscriptions to online services, and more. By default, this is the person that registers for the Business BCeID, and additional people can be assigned the role. The Business BCeID Account Management Guide has details about this role and tools.
What is a Business Accounts Manager (BAM)?
This is a role that can perform account-related duties, such as adding and removing users or resetting passwords. This role is assigned to one or more individuals by the Business Profile Manager. The Business BCeID Account Management Guide has details about this role and tools.
What do I do when people with accounts leave my business or organization?
We suggest that an individual's Business BCeID account be deleted when they leave and online services notified, but this is at your discretion. An individual's Business BCeID account can be transferred to another business also registered with BCeID. The Business BCeID Account Management Guide has details.
What do I do if the Business Profile Manager or Business Accounts Manager leave or are unavailable?
It is recommended that the initial Business Profile Manager – the person who requested the Business BCeID should assign at least one other person as an alternate Business Profile Manager. So long as there is at least one Business Profile Manager available, the Business Accounts Manager role can be assigned or re-assigned as needed.
If there is no Business Profile Manager available, contact the Service BC Help Desk.
What do I need to consider if I'm buying or selling a business with an existing Business BCeID?
The seller should provide the buyer with a Business Profile Manager account. The buyer can remove the seller's account once the purchase is complete.