CIPC Company Registration South Africa
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is the government body responsible for registering companies, close corporations, cooperatives, and intellectual property in South Africa. You can register online at www.cipc.co.za or through the Bizportal platform at www.bizportal.gov.za.
What is CIPC?
CIPC stands for the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. It operates under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and was established by the Companies Act 71 of 2008.
CIPC maintains the official register of all companies in South Africa and is responsible for company registration, amendments, annual returns, deregistration, and intellectual property such as trademarks, patents, and copyright.
How to Register on CIPC
- Visit www.cipc.co.za and click on eServices.
- Create a customer account using your South African ID number and email address.
- Fund your CIPC customer account via EFT or at a bank. CIPC does not accept direct payment at its offices.
- Navigate to Company Registration and select the type of company you want to register.
- Reserve a company name or opt for a registration number as your name.
- Complete the Notice of Incorporation (CoR14.1) and upload supporting documents.
- Pay the applicable registration fee from your customer account.
- Track your application status online. You will be notified when the certificate is issued.
CIPC Registration Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Private company registration (Pty Ltd) | R125 |
| Personal liability company (Inc.) | R125 |
| Non-profit company (NPC) | R125 |
| Public company | R125 |
| Name reservation | R50 |
| Manual registration (branch) | R175 |
Documents Required for CIPC Registration
- Certified copy of ID or passport for each director, minimum 3 months old
- Notice of Incorporation (CoR14.1) form, completed and signed
- Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) or adoption of standard schedule MOI
- Proof of registered business address (utility bill or lease agreement)
- If using a registered office address service, a letter from the service provider
CIPC has experienced long queues and delays. Online applications through Bizportal are generally faster. Always keep your application reference number.
CIPC Contact Details
You can contact CIPC for assistance with registration queries:
Phone: 086 100 2472. Email: help@cipc.co.za. Physical address: DTI Campus, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002.
CIPC offices do not accept walk-in customers for registration. All registrations must be completed online or by post.
After Your Company is Registered
You will receive a Certificate of Incorporation confirming your company name, registration number, and date of incorporation.
Your next steps are to register for income tax with SARS (usually done automatically through Bizportal), open a business bank account, and file your first annual return with CIPC within 30 days of the anniversary of your registration date.