GATOR: Before You Start Using GATOR

• How GATOR Works
• Step 1: Getting a BCeID
• Step 2: Choosing Your Account Type
• Step 3: Creating Your GATOR Account

How GATOR Works

GATOR is an online application that allows you to search through Crown Land Registry records and view images of Crown Land Registry documents. Users of the GATOR application are billed for the time spent using the application, as well as a charge for each image (or image bundle) viewed.

To help you in searching through the Crown Land records, GATOR has a number of tailored search forms that allow you to enter only the specific information necessary to find the Crown Land record you want. These search forms are broken into five main categories:

• Survey Parcels
• Interest
• Encumbrance Report
• Survey Details
• Wellsites

By entering specific data into these search forms, you will create a list of records that match your criteria. The details for each of these records can also be accessed through the GATOR application.

Any images, scans or electronic maps associated with the Crown Land record can also be accessed, but to view the images, you will be charged a $7.00 per image (or $7.00 per image bundle) access fee. For pay-as-you-go accounts your credit card will be debited the amount when you access the image(s), but for an annual subscription account you must pre-order your images when you order your subscription.

The information from Crown Land Registry records accessed through GATOR can be used in other applications such as the Integrated Land and Resource Registry, as well as to help with surveying (to locate existing survey posts in the area), determining current and past Land Act encumbrances on specific parcels, determining what resources or use restrictions may have been included in fee simple transactions (Crown Grants), determine the holder and duration of specific tenures, or obtain the official plans of Provincial Parks established under certain bills.

The first step in starting to use GATOR is to get a BCeID. Please follow the steps below to get your BCeID.

Step 1: Getting a BCeID

Follow the steps below to get your Basic BCeID. A very similar process is used for the Personal BCeID and Business BCeID. All three BCeIDs work with GATOR.

If you are an employee of the Government of British Columbia, you do not need a BCeID, as your IDIR ID allows you to use GATOR. BC Government Employees can skip to this step when creating your GATOR account.

1. Head to the BCeID web site at https://www.bceid.ca.
    
2. To start the process of getting your Basic BCeID, click the yellow button that says Register:
    
3. Click the "Register for a Basic BCeID" button:
    
4. Scroll down the page slightly and choose the Tantalis GATOR (GATOR) link:
    
5. Choose the Basic BCeID Account link:
    
6. Fill in all the information requested on this page, then click the Next button:
    
7. Print out this page for your records, and then click the Proceed to Online Service Subscription button. This will take you back to the GATOR web site.
    

Once you have gotten your BCeID, you must choose which type of GATOR account works best for you.

Step 2: Choosing Your Account Type

There are two types of public BCeID GATOR Accounts: Pay-As-You-Go Accounts and Annual Subscription Accounts. BC Government employees with a valid IDIR ID use the Government GATOR Account.

Pay-As-You-Go Accounts are the quickest and easiest to set up; once you have a BCeID you simply access GATOR and set up your account online in about 5 minutes.

You should choose a Pay-As-You-Go Account if:

• You will be accessing GATOR only a few times a month;
• You will only view a limited number of Crown Land documents images;
• You need immediate access to GATOR information.

Once you have decided on a Pay-As-You-Go Account, please follow the steps on the Creating Your GATOR Account page.

Annual Subscription Accounts are more economical for users who will be accessing GATOR many times a month. A flat rate of $1,000.00 per year must be paid in advance for a year of access to GATOR. Annual subscribers should note that access to images must also be purchased in advance when purchasing an annual subscription.

You should choose an Annual Subscription Account if:

• You will be accessing GATOR information many times a month;
• You plan to view a large (150+) number of GATOR images and image bundles;
• You are accessing GATOR as a regular part of your job/business;

Once you have decided on an Annual Account, please follow the steps on the Creating Your GATOR Account page.

Step 3: Create Your GATOR Account

Please go to the Creating Your GATOR Account page.