You are only required to verify the identity of a corporation if it is not a reporting issuer (public company), financial institution or public body.
If the organization is a corporation or an organization created or registered under federal or provincial law, you may obtain written confirmation of its existence from a government registry. This confirmation should also include the name and address of the organization and, where applicable, the names of its directors. In this regard, you could obtain a certificate of corporate status, a corporate profile report and/or an annual filing of the corporation.
If the organization is a trust, partnership or an association you will need to obtain some sort of formal record that confirms its existence as an organization. This could include a copy of the trust or partnership agreement or articles of association. It might also include the GST/HST registration information or information relating to the organization’s business licence.
If you are required to verify the identity of an organization, you must also take the following additional steps:
- verify the identity of the individuals who provide you with instructions with respect to the matter on behalf of the organization
- make reasonable efforts to obtain:
- the name and occupation or occupations of each director of the organization unless the organization is a securities dealer
- the name, address and occupation or occupations of each person who owns 25% or more of the organization or of the shares of the organization