CIPC Company Name Checker — How to Search for Name Availability
Before registering a company in South Africa, you must check that your desired name is available on the CIPC database. This tool checks for restricted words and generates name suggestions. For the definitive availability check, use the official CIPC portal.
Check Your Proposed Company Name
Enter your proposed company name below (without the (Pty) Ltd suffix). We will check it against CIPC naming rules and flag any issues.
How to Check Name Availability on CIPC
- 1Go to the CIPC Bizportal at www.bizportal.gov.za or the main CIPC site at www.cipc.co.za.
- 2Click on "Name Search" or "Company Search" to check if your name is already in use.
- 3Enter your proposed name. The system will show existing registered names that are identical or similar.
- 4If the name is available, you can reserve it by submitting a name reservation application (costs R50 on Bizportal).
- 5Once the name is reserved, complete the full company registration on Bizportal. Standard registration costs R125 for a private company.
Company Name Suffixes in South Africa
| Suffix | Company Type | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| (Pty) Ltd | Private Company | Most common — small to medium businesses |
| Ltd / Limited | Public Company | Listed companies, large enterprises |
| Inc / Incorporated | Personal Liability Company | Professional practices (lawyers, accountants) |
| NPC | Non-Profit Company | NGOs, charities, community organisations |
| RF | Ring-Fenced Company | Special purpose vehicles, securitisation |
| SOC Ltd | State-Owned Company | Government-owned entities (Eskom, Transnet) |