Requirements when using Shopify Payments for Canada
Before you can use Shopify Payments in Canada, you need to understand the requirements that are in place to comply with regulations and to prevent financial crimes. The following sections explain why personal information is collected, the accepted types of documentation, and guidance for ensuring that your documentation meets the necessary criteria.
On this page
- Requirements for using Shopify Payments in Canada
- Purpose of collecting information
- Required personal and business information for activating Shopify Payments in Canada
- Acceptable document types
- Ensuring documentation compliance
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Frequently asked questions
- Before you contact Shopify Support about Shopify Payments in Canada
Requirements for using Shopify Payments in Canada
Before you can use Shopify Payments in Canada, you must ensure that you meet the following requirements:
- Eligible business types: Certain types of businesses and services aren't permitted to use Shopify Payments. To determine whether your business is eligible, refer to the list of prohibited business types for Canada, that's outlined in the Shopify Payments Terms of Service (TOS).
- Bank account requirements: Your bank account must meet the following requirements before you can connect it to Shopify Payments:
- The bank account is a checking account with a bank in Canada.
- If your payout currency is CAD, then the bank account must be in CAD currency.
- If your payout currency is USD, then the bank account must be in USD currency and can be with a Canadian or United States financial institution.
- The bank account is eligible for Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers.
Unsupported bank account types
Certain bank account types aren't compatible with Shopify Payments. The following account types aren't supported:
- Checking accounts that accept only wire transfers: These accounts don't work with Shopify Payments.
- Savings accounts: Savings accounts can't be used for Shopify Payments payouts.
- Flex-currency accounts: Accounts that support multiple currencies simultaneously aren't supported.
- Money transfer services: Services that mimic bank accounts, such as some fintech platforms, can't be used with Shopify Payments.
Although non-Shopify virtual accounts are supported, you can experience more payout failures with these accounts.
Untuk mengesahkan sama ada akaun anda boleh menerima jenis pemindahan yang disenaraikan untuk rantau anda, hubungi bank anda.
Purpose of collecting information
Shopify dan rakan kongsi banknya dikehendaki mengumpulkan dan mengesahkan maklumat tentang anda dan perniagaan anda untuk mematuhi peraturan di Kanada yang direka untuk mencegah jenayah kewangan. Seiring dengan perkembangan peraturan dan undang-undang tempatan, anda mungkin dihubungi oleh Shopify dan rakan kongsi banknya untuk memberikan maklumat tambahan sepanjang tempoh hayat akaun Shopify Payments anda.
The information that's collected is used to confirm the identity of the business, the identities of individuals linked to the business, and the nature of the relationship between the two.
Shopify tidak pernah mengeposkan dokumentasi secara fizikal kepada anda. Sebarang dokumen atau komunikasi penting di-e-melkan, atau disediakan secara digital kepada pemilik kedai pada halaman Tetapan > Pengguna dalam pentadbir Shopify anda.
Review Shopify's Privacy Policy to learn about how your information is kept confidential and safe.
Required personal and business information for activating Shopify Payments in Canada
Correctly identifying your business type is essential because it determines the information that you need to provide.
If you haven't registered your business with any government body and are doing business privately, then select Individual.
If you have registered your business, either federally or provincially, then review your government-issued business documentation to understand what your business type is.
If your business type isn't listed below, then contact Shopify Support for help with selecting the right one for your business.
Individuals
Individuals are single owner businesses that haven't registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or any provincial business registries, and are doing business privately. Individuals need to provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address in Canada: Your home address, matching your documentation.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Sole proprietorships
Sole proprietorships are businesses wholly owned by one person, who have registered the business either federally with the CRA, or provincially. Legally the owner and the business are the same entity, and the owner is responsible for the actions of the business.
The person displayed on your business registry as the owner should be the account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address in Canada: Your home address, matching your documentation.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Sole proprietors also need to provide the following details about their business:
- Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in your government registry.
- Registration number: The business's identifier number, as shown in your government registry. This is typically a 9-digit business number from the CRA. It can also be issued provincially, such as the Québec Enterprise Number (NEQ).
- Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
- Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in your government registry.
Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against business registries in Canada. If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business registration document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document if necessary.
Partnerships
A private partnership is a business where equity is privately owned by at least two partners. A partner can be an individual, a company, or another partnership. This can include general partnerships, limited partnerships, or limited liability partnerships.
Partnerships must designate one of the owners (members) as the account representative. The account representative needs to provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
- Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
- Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- If the store owner isn't the same person as the Shopify Payments account representative, then the store owner can share the option to take a selfie with valid photo ID by selecting Other options when prompted to scan the QR code on their device. They can then share the link or QR code with the account representative to confirm their identity.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Partnerships also need to provide the following details about the business:
- Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in your government registry.
- Registration number: The business's identifier number, as shown in your government registry. This is typically a 9-digit business number from the CRA. It can also be issued provincially, such as the Québec Enterprise Number (NEQ).
- Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
- Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in your government registry.
Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against business registries in Canada. If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business registration document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document if necessary.
You also need to provide the information of anyone else who is an owner or member of the partnership. Ensure that you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified, then they might need to provide a photo ID or proof of address.
Corporations
A corporation is a business whose equity is divided into shares, owned by shareholders. A corporation is considered its own legal entity, separate from the people who run it. Corporations typically also have a board of directors.
Corporations must assign either a beneficial owner or an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
- Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
- Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- If the store owner isn't the same person as the Shopify Payments account representative, then the store owner can share the option to take a selfie with valid photo ID by selecting Other options when prompted to scan the QR code on their device. They can then share the link or QR code with the account representative to confirm their identity.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Corporations also need to provide the following details about the business:
- Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in your government registry.
- Registration number: The business's identifier number, as shown in your government registry. This is typically a 9-digit business number from the CRA. It can also be issued provincially, such as the Québec Enterprise Number (NEQ).
- Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
- Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in your government registry.
Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against business registries in Canada. If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business registration document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document if necessary.
You need to provide the names of all the directors who appear on the government registry for your business. Ensure that you enter their names exactly as shown on your government-issued business documentation. If Shopify banking partners detect a mismatch between the directors you've provided, and the directors listed for your business on the government registry (for example, directors missing, or extra directors listed), then you're asked to provide a document confirming who your directors are. You should update the directorship on your account to match your documentation. Review the list of acceptable directorship documents.
Non-profit organizations
A non-profit organization (NPO) is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a public or community benefit. Non-profit organizations are not listed on the registered charity database.
Non-profits must assign an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
- Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- If the store owner isn't the same person as the Shopify Payments account representative, then the store owner can share the option to take a selfie with valid photo ID by selecting Other options when prompted to scan the QR code on their device. They can then share the link or QR code with the account representative to confirm their identity.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Non-profits also need to provide the following details about the business:
- Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in your government registry.
- Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
- Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in your government registry.
Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against business registries in Canada. If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business registration document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document if necessary.
You need to provide the names of all the directors who appear on the government registry for your business. Ensure that you enter their names exactly as shown on your government-issued business documentation. If Shopify banking partners detect a mismatch between the directors you've provided, and the directors listed for your business on the government registry (for example, directors missing, or extra directors listed), then you're asked to provide a document confirming who your directors are. You should update the directorship on your account to match your documentation. Review the list of acceptable directorship documents.
Registered charities
A registered charity is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a charitable benefit. Registered charities are federally registered with the CRA and appear on the federal government's charity database.
Registered charities must assign an executive as the account representative. The account representative needs to provide the following information:
- Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
- Date of birth: Your birth date.
- Email address: A valid and active email address.
- Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
- Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
- Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
If your information can't be verified automatically, then you'll receive a request to verify your identity. If any of your information such as your name, date of birth, or home address, is incorrect, then you should update your account information.
If the information is correct and you still receive a request for verification, then you can resolve the request by completing either of the following tasks:
- Confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID.
- If the store owner isn't the same person as the Shopify Payments account representative, then the store owner can share the option to take a selfie with valid photo ID by selecting Other options when prompted to scan the QR code on their device. They can then share the link or QR code with the account representative to confirm their identity.
- Upload separate proof of identity and proof of address documents in your Shopify admin.
- The information on your documents must match what you enter on your account exactly. Update your account information to match your documents if needed.
Registered charities also need to provide the following details about the business:
- Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in your government registry.
- CRA program account number: An identifier given to you by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It should be 9 numbers, 2 letters, and then an additional 4 numbers. Example: 123456789RR1234
- Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
- Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in your government registry.
Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against business registries in Canada. If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business registration document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document. Update the information in your account to match the document if necessary.
You might also be asked to provide a separate document confirming your status as a registered charity. Review the list of acceptable charity documents.
You need to provide the names of all the directors who appear on the government registry for your business. Ensure that you enter their names exactly as shown on your T3010. If Shopify banking partners detect a mismatch between the directors you've provided, and the directors listed for your business on the government registry (for example, directors missing, or extra directors listed), then you're asked to provide a document confirming who your directors are. You should update the directorship on your account to match your documentation. Review the list of acceptable directorship documents. Your directors are also available in the registered charity database.
Acceptable document types
This section helps you understand the types of documents you can use to verify your account.
Identity documents
When you submit your identity document, it must include your full legal name and date of birth, and can't be expired. If you use a document to verify your identity, then you can't use the same document a second time to verify your address.
The following are the accepted identity documents when using Shopify Payments in Canada:
- Passport
- Driver's license
- Citizenship card
- Work permit
- Study permit
- Permanent resident card
- Provincial or territorial issued photo identity cards (excluding Health ID cards)
- Certificate of Indian Status card
- Birth certificate
Address documents
Address documents must show your full name and residential address. The name and address on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the address documents that you're providing.
Photo ID cards (such as a driver's license) can only be submitted once, as either an identity document or an address document. If you've already submitted your photo ID as your proof of identity, then you must select a different document from the list as proof of address. The following documents are accepted as proof of address:
- Utility bill (dated within the last 12 months)
- Bank account statement (dated within the last 6 months)
- Property tax statement
- Investment account statement (dated within the last 6 months)
- Insurance documents
- Driver's license
- Provincial or territorial issued photo identity cards
Business verification documents
A business verification document must clearly display the legal entity name and address of your business. The details on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the documents that you're providing. The following documents are accepted for business verification:
- Valid letters or documents from a municipal, provincial, territorial or federal government.
- Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment or Re-Assessment. These documents must be dated within the past 12 months.
- Federally-issued Corporate Profile Reports
- Partnership registration or agreements
Registered charity documents
For registered charities, you might be required to submit a document confirming your charity status. They must clearly display the legal entity name and address of your business. The details on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the documents that you're providing. The following documents are accepted for registered charity verification:
- Notice of charity registration issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency
- Charity Information Return (Form T3010)
- Registered Charity Basic Information report
- Document issued by the Canada Revenue Agency confirming registration status
Directorship documents
To verify the directorship of your business or entity, you need to submit a government-issued document that displays your legal entity name and the names of all of your directors. The following are acceptable documents you can provide:
- Valid letters or documents from a municipal, provincial, territorial, or federal government
- Federally Issued Corporate Profile Reports
- Articles of Incorporation, such as Form 1
- Notice of Change of Directors, such as Form 6, Form 4006, or Form 3006
For non-profit organizations and registered charities, you have these options available additionally:
- Board meeting minutes/resolutions. These documents must be dated within 12 months.
- Board resolutions for Account Opening.
Some provincial governments provide corporate summary documentation that is specific to that province. These documents are common examples of "valid letters or documents from the government" which can be used:
- Ontario Profile Report
- Quebec Enterprise Register Documents
- British Columbia Company Summary
- Alberta Corporate Registration Documents
Ensuring documentation compliance
Apabila memberikan dokumen anda, pastikan dokumen tersebut memenuhi kriteria yang diperlukan. Semak garis panduan berikut untuk memastikan pematuhan:
- Ketepatan: Pastikan maklumat pada dokumen anda sepadan dengan perkara yang telah anda masukkan dalam akaun Shopify Payments anda. Kemaskinikan akaun anda agar sepadan dengan dokumen anda, jika perlu.
- Clarity and legibility: Make sure that your documents are clear and large enough to read. Ensure the entire document is visible in the photograph.
- Kelengkapan: Pastikan semua butiran yang diperlukan kelihatan pada dokumen anda. Semak jenis dokumen yang boleh diterima yang disenaraikan pada halaman ini untuk memahami butiran yang mesti disertakan pada dokumen.
- Original documentation: Take an original photograph of your document using a camera. Don't photocopy, scan, or screenshot your documents. Don't paste photos of documents into other documents. Don't take photos of computer screens or printouts.
- Jika dokumen anda dikeluarkan kepada anda secara digital, maka berikan fail PDF berserta semua halaman sepertimana dokumen tersebut asalnya diberikan kepada anda, tanpa pindaan.
- Kesahan: Pastikan ID bergambar belum tamat tempoh dan bukti alamat dikeluarkan baru-baru ini. Jika memberikan bukti pendaftaran perniagaan, maka perniagaan anda hendaklah masih didaftarkan secara aktif dan berstatus baik.
Troubleshooting common issues
Before contacting Shopify Support, review these common onboarding issues and their solutions.
My document was rejected.
Ensure that the information on your account matches the information in the document you're submitting, and update your account to match your documentation if needed. If your documents are still being rejected, then refer to the following sections on this page:
- Acceptable document types: Which documents are accepted and what details they must include. Screenshots, printouts of online searches, and registry screenshots aren't accepted.
- Ensuring documentation compliance: Requirements for accuracy, clarity, completeness, original documentation, and validity.
My bank account information isn't working.
Bank account issues can be caused by unsupported account types or incorrect formatting.
Unsupported account types:
Certain bank account types can't be used with Shopify Payments in Canada:
- Savings accounts: Only checking accounts can be used for payouts.
- Flex-currency accounts: Accounts that support multiple currencies simultaneously aren't supported.
- Accounts that accept only wire transfers: Your account must be eligible for Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers.
- Money transfer services: Services that mimic bank accounts, such as some fintech platforms, can't be used with Shopify Payments.
Although non-Shopify virtual accounts are supported, you can experience more payout failures with these accounts.
Currency requirements:
- If your payout currency is CAD, then your bank account must be in CAD currency.
- If your payout currency is USD, then your bank account must be in USD currency and can be with a Canadian or United States financial institution.
If your payout fails, then verify that you've entered your account information in the correct format and are using a supported account type. To confirm that your account can accept ACH transfers, contact your bank.
My payouts are on hold after updating my bank account.
Apabila anda mengemas kini butiran akaun bank anda dalam Shopify Payments, penahanan keselamatan secara automatik selama 3-5 hari bekerja akan diletakkan pada pembayaran baharu. Ini ialah ciri keselamatan bagi melindungi akaun anda daripada perubahan yang tidak dibenarkan.
During this period:
- Any payouts already scheduled at the time of the update are sent to your previous bank account.
- Pembayaran baharu yang dibuat selepas pengemas kinian akan ditahan selama 3-5 hari bekerja.
- Selepas penahanan tamat, pembayaran baharu akan mula diproses ke akaun bank anda yang telah dikemas kini mengikut jadual pembayaran anda.
This hold can't be removed and applies to all bank account changes.
My business information isn't being verified.
When entering your business information, ensure that your business name and business address match exactly as they appear in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or provincial business registry. This includes:
- Correct letter case (uppercase and lowercase)
- Correct punctuation and spacing
- Complete business name as registered
Shopify banking partners verify your information automatically by comparing it against official registries. Even small differences can cause verification to fail. Ensure the documentation you're submitting shows the legal name and business address, and that these details match what's shown on your account. Update your account to match your document, if necessary.
My address can't be automatically verified.
If your address can't be automatically verified, you have the option to confirm your identity by taking a selfie with a valid photo ID, or to provide a proof of address document. Proof of address documents must show your full name, home address, and be one of the accepted document types. You should also ensure:
- The address you entered in your Shopify Payments account matches exactly with the address on your proof of address document.
- You update your information in your account to match your document if necessary.
- You upload a clear photograph of your proof of address document.
- The document you're uploading shows your own full name. If, for example, you have a utility bill in someone else's name, then you need to provide a different document.
Photo ID cards (such as a driver's license) can only be submitted once, either as identity verification or as address verification. If you've already used your driver's license as your photo ID, then select a different document from the accepted address documents list.
My director information can't be verified.
Perbadanan, organisasi bukan untung dan badan amal yang berdaftar diwajibkan untuk mengesahkan lembaga pengarah mereka. Kami mengesyorkan agar anda mencari maklumat pengarah anda di pendaftaran persekutuan atau wilayah, dan memasukkan pengarah anda dengan tepat seperti yang ditunjukkan di situ.
Jika anda telah berbuat demikian dan pengarah anda masih tidak dapat disahkan, anda akan diminta untuk memberikan dokumen yang mengesahkan siapa pengarah anda. Maklumat pengarah yang anda masukkan pada akaun Shopify Payments anda mesti sepadan dengan maklumat pada dokumentasi yang anda muat naik. Jika pengarah disenaraikan pada dokumentasi anda tetapi tidak ditambahkan pada akaun Shopify Payments anda, anda mesti menambahkan individu tersebut pada akaun anda dan memberikan peranan Pengarah kepadanya.
You should make sure the directors on your account are a 1:1 match with your document. Do not list extra directors that are not shown on your documentation. See the list of acceptable directorship documents here for more information on what you can provide.
Frequently asked questions
Review these frequently asked questions about Shopify Payments requirements in Canada.
Will my customers be able to see my personal or business information?
Your business name, business phone number, and business address might sometimes be visible to your customers in their credit card statements, but this varies and depends on their financial institution. Personal information for owners and directors, such as their names or home addresses, is never shown publicly.
Why do I need to provide my photo ID and proof of address if you already have my business information?
Even if you sign up as a registered legal entity, Shopify is still required to verify the identities of the people associated with the business, including the owners and directors.
Bagaimanakah cara untuk saya mengemas kini maklumat akaun Shopify Payments saya?
Jika anda aktif diminta untuk melengkapkan pengesahan akaun, anda boleh membuat sebarang kemas kini pada maklumat anda dari halaman pengesahan di samping menyerahkan apa-apa dokumen yang diminta.
Selain daripada proses pengesahan, pemilik akaun kedai boleh mengemas kini butiran ini melalui Tetapan > Umum > Butiran Perniagaan. Klik tiga titik di sebelah entiti perniagaan anda dan kemudian klik "edit" untuk mengemas kini maklumat perniagaan tersebut, termasuk jenis perniagaan.
Harap maklum bahawa sebarang perubahan yang anda buat di sini akan dihantar kepada rakan kongsi perbankan kami secara automatik untuk disemak, dan maklumat baharu ini akan diproses semula melalui proses pengesahan mereka. Terdapat kemungkinan pengesahan semula perubahan berlaku secara automatik, tetapi anda mungkin juga akan diminta menyerahkan dokumen sokongan.
Jika anda mengalami sebarang kesukaran dengan proses ini, hubungi Sokongan Shopify bagi mendapatkan bantuan.
My business is owned by a holding company. Who do I list as the owners?
Beneficial owners are defined as any individual person who directly or indirectly (through ownership in a parent or holding company) owns 25% or more of the company. If there are individuals who own equity of your company through their ownership of the holding company, then you should list them as beneficial owners. Here is an example:
Company A is owned by:
- John - 50%
- Company B - 50%
Company B is owned by:
- Jane - 100%
Therefore Company A is owned by:
- John - 50%
- Jane - 50%
As equity and ownership breakdowns can vary a lot between businesses, and because these details are typically only included in internal company documents, Shopify is unable to advise you on who you should list on the account as an owner. For advice, consider speaking with an accountant.
I don't have any beneficial owners for my business. What do I do?
If you have no beneficial owners, then you can skip the sections that ask you to list owners, and proceed to the next step of the setup process. You're not required to list beneficial owners if you don't have any.
I'm being asked to verify my directors, but I don't have any directors. What do I do?
In Canada, corporations, non-profits, and registered charities are classified as legal entities, meaning they can conduct business and enter contracts as though they were human beings. These entities will almost always have at least one director. It's unlikely that your entity has no directors as this is quite rare.
Registered charities should check their T3010 form for their list of directors, or look at the registered charity database online to confirm who they are. Corporations and non-profits should check their most recently issued government registry extracts for a list of directors. Provincial documents more often have this information.
If you're still having difficulty, then contact Shopify Support.
My business documents show a United States business address, not a Canadian one.
To pass verification of your business, you need to provide an acceptable business registration document showing a Canadian business address. Exceptions aren't given to businesses with US addresses.
Update your business address with the appropriate government registry to obtain new documentation showing your Canadian business address, or provide a new business entity with a Canadian business address. If you need help, then contact Shopify Support.
My business documents show a PO box instead of an address.
Shopify Payments requires a valid, physical, Canadian business address. Due to the requirements of Shopify's financial partner, you can't use a P.O. box as your business address. You can't verify your account using a PO box address or documents showing PO box addresses. Provide a document showing a real physical business address, or contact Shopify Support for help.
Before you contact Shopify Support about Shopify Payments in Canada
Before reaching out to contact Shopify Support, gather this information to help resolve your issue faster:
- Screenshots of any error messages you received (censor sensitive information like bank account numbers)
- The business type you selected during setup
- Your CRA business number or provincial registration number, if applicable
- The specific step where you encountered the issue
- The browser and device you're using
- Your bank account details (institution number, transit number, account type, currency) without sharing the full account number
- Any documents you've uploaded and when you uploaded them
Having this information ready helps Shopify Support assist you more efficiently.