I'm a student who runs a small e-commerce site.

I've just started this business and am now looking at a credit card merchant account from Moneris.

However...

They want some proof the business exists. Specifically they requested a business license but it sounds like other sufficient proof is fine.

Question is...how can I prove this?

I've registered the business' name and I've received my business number but apparently this is not sufficient (also, the confirmation I got with the business number lists my personal name as the 'owner', not the business name). I've also opened a business banking account at HSBC.

I haven't bothered to get a business license- I didn't think it was totally necessary for a small one man e-commerce site.

Any suggestions on what I might submit to Moneris to suffice for this proof?

Welcome to the forums votrechien!

If they want a business license, chances are you will have to get one. Different MAPs (merchant account providers) have different regulations to follow. Canada is a bit different but there are also some other companies as well that support Canadians - like PSIGate.

When I applied for my merchant account a copy of the completed and stamped form for my trade name registration and a business bank account in the same name were enough for proof of business. Like Cory said different MAP's will have different requirements. I would think if you want to work with Moneris they'll be the ones to define what you need to provide.

You're probably right in not needing a business liscence for your business though unless Moneris will accept anything else as proof of existence you'll need one to work with them. Have you asked them if they'll accept anything else as proof of existence?

I didn't have everything my provider wanted when I first applied, but with a little back and forth they were able to come up with other things they found acceptible.

You can also try other providers that might be fine with the documentation you already have.

In the United States - you rarly need hardly nything - except the name of the company on the bank account. They usually let the bank take care of the paperwork.

You also might check out beanstream as well as another alternative.

Thank you for the welcome and thank you again for the replies.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only only person without a business license.

I will see if they can be more accomodating. If not, the plan offered to me by Moneris is quite attractive and I'll probably just end up sucking up the business license costs.