Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

Jurisdiction: Country: Canada | Province or State: British Columbia

What is a Form 02 LLP – Annual Report?

Form 02 LLP – Annual Report is the required yearly filing for a Limited Liability Partnership registered in British Columbia. You use it to confirm or update key information on the public register, pay the annual fee, and keep your LLP in good standing. It is not a marketing form. It is a statutory maintenance filing that keeps your registration active.

The form focuses on core facts about your LLP. You confirm the exact legal name and registration number. You confirm your current business addresses in British Columbia. You identify or confirm a designated partner or contact for the registry. You update your email for official notices. You confirm other items the system requests, such as your records location and, where applicable, your address for service. The form does not replace change filings. If you changed your name, partners, or certain structural details during the year, you usually file a dedicated change form. The annual report captures your current snapshot as at the date you file.

Who typically uses this form?

Designated partners, firm administrators, and corporate services teams file it. Many professional firms structured as LLPs use it each year, including law firms, accounting practices, engineering firms, and other partnerships that qualify for LLP status. If you are an extra‑provincial LLP registered to do business in British Columbia, you also file this annual report to keep your BC registration active.

Why would you need this form?

Because your LLP’s liability protection and right to operate under its registered name depend on it. Failing to file can lead to loss of good standing and, after continued default, cancellation of your registration. That can disrupt banking, insurance renewals, tenders, and client onboarding. It can also create risk if you continue to carry on business while not registered. Filing the annual report is the simplest way to avoid those problems.

Typical usage scenarios

• Your anniversary month is approaching and you need to keep the LLP active.
• You moved offices and want the register to show the correct addresses.
• You had internal partner changes and already filed the proper change form; the annual report confirms the LLP’s current details.
• You plan to request a certificate of status and need good standing first.
• You took over as the firm’s administrator and are catching up on required maintenance filings.

In each case, Form 02 is the right tool to confirm your LLP’s details for the year and maintain compliance.

When Would You Use a Form 02 LLP – Annual Report?

You use this form once every year for as long as your LLP remains registered in British Columbia. The due date ties to your LLP’s registration anniversary. You should file on or before the due date to avoid late status, reminders, and potential cancellation. The system will accept your filing after the due date, but you risk late fees or escalation if you let it sit. Filing early in your anniversary window helps you avoid last‑minute issues.

You would also use the annual report when a business milestone prompts a compliance check. If a bank asks for proof of good standing before renewing a credit facility, you file the annual report to make sure your status is current. If an insurer requests confirmation that your LLP registration is up to date, the annual report is the first step. If a public sector client requires proof of active registration with your bid, you file the annual report before ordering evidence of status.

Operational changes can trigger the filing as well. If you moved your principal place of business or records location in British Columbia, you make sure the register reflects the new addresses when you file. If your designated partner or administrative contact has changed, you update that information in the annual report. If you have become extra‑provincial, or if you maintain an attorney or address for service in BC, you confirm those details. If the change requires a separate filing, you complete that first, then use the annual report to confirm the up‑to‑date information.

Typical users

• Designated partner named on the register
• The firm’s operations or finance lead
• External corporate services provider authorized by the LLP.

In professional firms, the office manager or practice administrator often handles this task. In larger firms, legal operations or compliance teams build the filing into a yearly calendar. If your LLP is extra‑provincial, your BC agent or local administrator often completes the process to ensure the BC address for service remains valid.

You also file the annual report to recover from a lapse. If you missed last year’s filing and your status shows not in good standing, you can usually file the outstanding annual reports and return to active status. If the registration was cancelled for non‑filing, you may need a restoration or new registration before carrying on business in BC again. Either way, the annual report is central to bringing your LLP back into compliance.

Legal Characteristics of the Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

Form 02 LLP – Annual Report is a statutory filing under provincial partnership law. It is not a contract between private parties. It is a formal declaration to the registrar that your LLP’s public information is accurate as of the filing date. When you submit it, a partner or authorized individual certifies that the information is true and complete to the best of their knowledge. That certification gives the filing legal effect.

Is it legally binding?

Yes, in the sense that it binds the LLP to the information you file and triggers statutory consequences. The registrar relies on it to maintain the public record. Third parties—clients, banks, and counterparties—may rely on the register when they assess your existence and status. False or misleading filings can lead to penalties. They can also expose the LLP and the certifying individual to compliance action. Filing the report late or not at all can lead to default notices and, if not corrected, cancellation of your registration.

What ensures enforceability?

Several features. First, the requirement to file the annual report is set by statute and regulation. Second, an authorized person must certify the contents, which creates accountability. Third, the registrar can refuse filings that do not meet form requirements and can strike registrations that remain in default. Fourth, the filing becomes part of the LLP’s public record, which offers transparency to the marketplace. These elements drive compliance and provide practical consequences if the filing is missed or misstated.

There are general legal considerations to keep in mind. Information in the annual report is public, so enter business contact details, not personal home addresses, unless the law requires a physical business address at a specific location. Use a delivery address in British Columbia where required. If you maintain a separate records location or address for service, make sure the addresses meet the rules and that someone is available during business hours. Do not use the annual report to change your LLP’s legal name. Name changes and changes to the composition of partners usually require separate filings. Keep your internal minute book and registers aligned with what you file. If you are an extra‑provincial LLP, make sure your BC address for service is valid and monitored. If your professional regulator has conditions tied to your LLP status, confirm that your filing remains consistent with those conditions.

Finally, the annual report maintains your right to use the LLP designation. The liability shield that partners expect depends, in part, on proper registration and ongoing compliance. Keeping your annual reports current supports that protection and helps avoid problems that can arise from an inaccurate or out‑of‑date public record.

How to Fill Out a Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

1) Confirm your due date and plan your filing.

• Check your registration anniversary and set a calendar reminder. Aim to file early in your anniversary window. If your LLP is behind, plan to file each outstanding annual report in order until you return to good standing.

2) Gather the information you need.

• Legal name of the LLP as shown on the register.
• Registration or incorporation number assigned by the registrar.
• Principal business address in British Columbia (delivery and mailing).
• Records location in British Columbia, if different from the principal address.
• Address for service in British Columbia, if the form requests one.
• Name, position, phone, and email of the designated partner or authorized contact.
• Email for official registry correspondence.
• For extra‑provincial LLPs: home jurisdiction details and BC address for service.
• Payment method for the filing fee.

3) Access the annual report form through the provincial filing system.

• Log in using your account credentials, or have your service provider do so. Select the annual report for LLPs. Enter your registration number to pull up your record.

4) Verify the LLP’s legal name and registration number.

• Ensure the name exactly matches the registered name, including the “LLP” or “Limited Liability Partnership” ending. Do not try to change the name here. If a name change occurred, complete the specific name change process first.

5) Confirm the LLP’s status and anniversary information.

• Review the anniversary date shown in the system. If you see outstanding annual reports from prior years, file them one by one until you are current.

6) Review and update the principal business address.

• Enter the street (delivery) address in British Columbia. Use a physical location where you carry on business. Do not use a PO Box as the delivery address. Add the mailing address. You can list a PO Box for mail if allowed, but keep the delivery address as a physical location.

7) Review and update the records location (if requested).

• If your LLP keeps required records at a different BC address, enter that address. If the records are at the principal address, indicate that. Ensure someone can provide access during business hours as required.

8) Confirm the address for service in British Columbia (if applicable).

• Enter a delivery address where legal documents can be served. This must be a physical location in BC. Make sure the address is monitored and that you have procedures to receive and act on any served documents.

9) Confirm the designated partner or authorized contact.

• Enter the full legal name and role of the person certifying the filing. Provide a business phone and email. This person should have authority to certify on behalf of the LLP and understand the information being submitted.

10) Confirm partner‑related information as required.

• The annual report does not always list every partner. However, some systems ask you to confirm that partner information on file is current. Compare the register to your internal roster. If changes occurred during the year, file the proper change form first. Then confirm the current state in the annual report.

11) Enter the email for official communications.

• Use a monitored inbox that your admin team checks daily. This email will receive reminders, receipts, and notices about your registration.

12) Describe the nature of business if the form requests it.

• Use a clear, concise description that reflects your current activities. For professional firms, the profession and service focus is usually enough.

13) Review pre‑populated fields for accuracy.

• The system often pre‑fills details from last year. Confirm each field. Correct anything that is no longer accurate. Do not ignore minor errors; small typos can create delays or cause service issues later.

14) Certify the accuracy of the information.

• Read the certification statement. The designated partner or authorized filer must confirm that the information is true and complete. Enter the certifier’s name and title. Electronic submission usually treats the typed name and submission as your signature.

15) Pay the filing fee.

• Use the accepted payment method. Ensure the payer name and email are correct so the receipt goes to the right person. Keep the receipt for your records and for expense reconciliation.

16) Submit the annual report.

• Review the summary screen. Confirm you have captured all updates. Submit the filing. Wait for the confirmation page or email. Download or print the confirmation immediately.

17) Save your records.

• Place the filed annual report, confirmation, and receipt in your LLP’s minute book or digital compliance folder. Note any follow‑up items, such as filing a separate change form you discovered during review.

18) Calendar next year’s filing window.

• Add reminders 60, 30, and 7 days before your next anniversary. Assign an owner on your team and list the documents to gather next time.

Practical examples

• Your firm moved from Surrey to Victoria. In the annual report, you update the principal business address and mailing address. If your records now sit with a records service in Vancouver, you enter that as the records location. You confirm the designated partner and file.
• You are an extra‑provincial LLP with a BC address for service at your Vancouver office. Your local office relocated. You update the BC address for service and confirm the new email for registry notices. You file the annual report and keep the service procedures up to date.
• You onboarded a new managing partner who will certify filings. Before the annual report, you file the change to update the designated partner if required. Then you submit the annual report with the new certifier’s details.

Common pitfalls are easy to avoid

• Do not use a PO Box for any delivery address field that requires a physical location. Use a street address in British Columbia.
• Do not attempt a name change inside the annual report. Complete the proper name change process first.
• Do not let reminders pile up. If you miss the due date, file as soon as possible to prevent cancellation.
• Do not rely on personal emails. Use a shared compliance inbox to avoid missed notices during staff turnover.

If your filing is rejected, read the rejection reason carefully. Correct the specific field and resubmit. Rejections often relate to address format, missing certifier details, or attempts to make a structural change within the annual report. If the system indicates you need a separate change filing, complete that first, then return to the annual report.

If your LLP has been cancelled for non‑filing, check whether a restoration process is available. Restoration can take time and may involve extra steps and fees. Do not carry on business in British Columbia as an LLP while cancelled. Resolve the status first, then resume operations under your registered LLP.

By following these steps, you will complete Form 02 LLP – Annual Report accurately, on time, and with minimal friction. You keep your LLP active, protect your professional status, and ensure the public record matches your current operations.

Legal Terms You Might Encounter

• LLP. This is a limited liability partnership. You and other partners operate a business together. Your personal liability is limited for other partners’ actions. Form 02 confirms your LLP’s basic information each year.
• Registration number. This is the unique number assigned when the LLP was registered. You use it to identify your LLP on Form 02. It ensures your report updates the correct record.
• Anniversary date. This is the yearly marker tied to your original registration date. Your annual report relates to the year ending on this anniversary. You confirm your information as of that date.
• Reporting period. This is the 12-month window the annual report covers. It typically runs from your last anniversary to the current one. You verify if anything changed during this period.
• Registered office. This is the official address for legal documents. It must be a physical location, not a P.O. box. You confirm or update it on Form 02.
• Records office. This is where you keep your LLP’s records for inspection. It can be the same as the registered office. You confirm its address in the form.
• Mailing address. This is where you want routine mail sent. It can be different from the registered office. You list it so notices reach you.
• Authorized signing partner. This is the partner who certifies the report. The person confirms the information is complete and accurate. You name this person on the form.
• In good standing. This is your status when your filings are current. The registry treats you as compliant. Filing Form 02 keeps your LLP in good standing.
• Amendment vs. annual report. An amendment changes your record during the year. The annual report confirms information each year. Use an amendment form for changes that are not just confirmations.
• Extra-provincial LLP. This is an LLP formed elsewhere that is registered to operate in the province. It must file the annual report if it is registered here. Form 02 records its local details.
• Effective date. This is the date a change takes effect. If you report a change through the right form, include the effective date. The annual report reflects the status as of your anniversary date.

FAQs

Do you need to file if nothing changed this year?

Yes. You must file even if nothing changed. The annual report confirms that your LLP’s information is still correct. It also keeps your status current.

Do you need to list every partner on the annual report?

You do not usually list every partner on Form 02. The form focuses on the LLP’s name, registration number, offices, and contact details. If partner information needs updating, use the proper change form.

Do you need financial statements for the annual report?

No. The annual report does not include financial statements. It verifies your business and records locations, contact details, and status.

Can you update your registered office in the annual report?

If the form allows changes, you can update the addresses there. If not, you must file a separate change form. Do not assume the annual report will process all changes.

Can you correct an annual report after submitting it?

Yes. If you notice an error, submit a correction as soon as possible. You may need to file a separate correction or change form, depending on the error.

Do you need a wet ink signature?

Most filings accept a digital submission with an online declaration. If you file on paper, follow the signature instructions on the form. Ensure the signer is authorized.

Do you need to file if the LLP had no activity this year?

Yes. Activity level does not replace the filing. The annual report is an administrative requirement. You must file while the LLP is registered.

Do you need to notify anyone else after filing?

Yes. Share the filed report or confirmation with your partners and your accountant. If you changed addresses or contact details, update your clients, insurer, and bank.

Checklist: Before, During, and After the Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

Before you sign and submit

• Confirm your LLP’s exact legal name and registration number.
• Note your anniversary date for the reporting period.
• Gather current addresses: registered office, records office, and mailing address.
• Confirm these addresses are physical locations where needed.
• Identify your authorized signing partner and their contact details.
• Check if any changes occurred that require a separate amendment.
• Verify your email and phone for communications.
• Review any business name changes completed during the year.
• For extra-provincial LLPs, confirm your home jurisdiction details.
• Collect proof of any recent address changes (e.g., lease or letterhead).
• Ensure your professional licensing, if applicable, is current.
• Align with your accountant on the reporting period dates.

During completion and signing

• Enter the LLP name exactly as registered, including punctuation.
• Enter the registration number without typos or transposed digits.
• Confirm the registered office is a street address, not a P.O. box.
• Confirm the records office address and whether it matches the registered office.
• Check that the mailing address is correct for receiving notices.
• Verify the email address that will receive confirmations.
• Ensure the authorized partner’s name matches your internal records.
• Review the declaration carefully before the signer certifies.
• Do not insert changes that require a separate amendment form.
• Review that dates match your anniversary period.
• Scan for consistency across all sections.
• Keep a draft copy for internal review before final submission.

After filing

• Save the filed copy and any confirmation receipt.
• Save proof of payment and the date filed.
• Store documents in your LLP minute book and records office.
• Circulate a copy to partners, your accountant, and your admin lead.
• Update your compliance calendar for the next annual report.
• If the filing returns with an error, correct and resubmit quickly.
• If you need to change addresses or names, file the proper change form.
• Notify your insurer, bank, and key clients of contact changes.
• Confirm the registry shows your LLP as current once processed.
• Keep a brief internal memo noting who filed and when.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

• Don’t forget to use the exact legal name.
• Small changes, like missing commas or extra words, can misroute your filing. This can cause delays and rejection.
• Don’t enter a P.O. box for the registered office.
• A non-physical address can lead to rejection. You may also miss service of important documents.
• Don’t mix amendments into the annual report.
• Trying to change partners or names in the annual report can fail. File the proper change form to update those details.
• Don’t let an unauthorized person sign.
• A non-authorized signer can invalidate the filing. You might need to refile and risk losing good standing.
• Don’t ignore inconsistencies.
• Mismatched addresses, dates, or contact details can trigger review. This may lead to processing delays or returned filings.

What to Do After Filling Out Form 02 LLP – Annual Report

1. Submit the form and pay the fee through your chosen method. Keep the submission confirmation. Track the filing status until it shows as received.
2. If your filing is returned, read the comments carefully. Correct the errors and resubmit promptly. Confirm that the revision was accepted.
3. If you need to change core information, file the right amendment. Use the appropriate form for address, name, or partner updates. Include effective dates where required.
4. Notify internal stakeholders. Share the filed report with partners and your accountant. Confirm everyone’s records match the filed details.
5. Update external parties. If your contact details changed, inform your insurer and bank. Update letterhead, website contact pages, and client communications.
6. Record retention matters. Place a copy of the filed report and receipt in your minute book. Store digital copies in your secure system with clear file names.
7. Calendar next steps. Set reminders for the next annual reporting window. Add recurring reminders for 60, 30, and 14 days before the anniversary.
8. Review compliance alignment. Check that your professional licensing records match the addresses you filed. Align your internal partner roster with your registry record.
9. If you plan changes this year, schedule them. Prepare the right forms and internal approvals. Track effective dates to avoid overlap with the next report.
10. Consider internal controls. Assign a backup filer. Maintain a checklist and a SOP document. This reduces risk if key staff are away.
11. Finalize your compliance log. Note the date filed, who filed, and any corrections. Keep this log with your annual documentation.