Registering a company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is mostly a paperwork exercise — but it's paperwork with specific rules, and small errors are the main reason applications sit in limbo. Here's exactly what's involved.
What you're actually registering
Almost every new business registered in South Africa today is a private company, usually written as (Pty) Ltd. Close corporations (CCs) were the go-to entity before 2008, but CIPC stopped accepting new CC registrations once the Companies Act of 2008 came into effect. Existing CCs can keep trading, but if you're starting fresh, a Pty Ltd is the entity you'll end up with.
A Pty Ltd gives you a legal identity separate from yourself: it can hold a bank account, sign contracts, and own assets in its own name, and — unlike a sole proprietorship — your personal liability is generally limited to what you've invested in the company.
What you need before you start
Have these ready and the process moves quickly. Missing or uncertified documents are the most common reason a submission stalls partway through.
- ✓ Certified copies of ID documents for every director and incorporator (a green ID book or smart ID card for South African citizens, a valid passport for foreign nationals)
- ✓ Proof of residential address for each director
- ✓ One to four proposed company names, in order of preference
- ✓ Your share structure — how many shares are authorised, and how they're split between shareholders
- ✓ A registered address for the company (this can be a home or business address)
The process, step by step
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1
Reserve your company name
Submit your preferred names to CIPC for approval. Offering three or four alternatives, ranked in order, means a rejection on your first choice doesn't send you back to the start — CIPC can simply move to the next option.
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2
Complete the registration application
With your name reserved, the registration application is submitted with director and incorporator details, ID documents, and your share structure, through CIPC's e-Services portal or BizPortal.
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3
CIPC reviews and registers the company
CIPC checks the application against its records. If everything's in order, your company is registered and issued a registration number.
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4
You receive your Certificate of Incorporation
This is your proof of registration (form CoR14.3), along with your Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) — the document that sets out your company's internal rules.
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5
Register with SARS and open a bank account
SARS registers most new companies for income tax automatically once CIPC notifies them. From here you can open a business bank account using your registration documents.
The date on your Certificate of Incorporation is your company's anniversary date — and it's the date CIPC uses to calculate when your first annual return is due. More on that in our annual returns guide.
What it costs
CIPC charges its own fee for registration, on top of anything a service provider charges to handle the process for you. Reg Assistance's fee is fixed and all-inclusive of the CIPC charge — create a free account on our site to see current pricing.
How long it actually takes
Turnaround depends mostly on your name application. A clean, distinctive name with no conflicts can clear in a day. A name that needs a manual CIPC review — because it's close to an existing company, or uses a restricted word — can add several extra days. Once the name is settled, standard private company registrations are typically processed within 1 to 5 working days.
Why registrations get delayed or rejected
Most hold-ups trace back to one of the following:
- The name is too similar to an existing company — CIPC checks for names that are identical or "confusingly similar" to ones already on the register.
- It uses a restricted word — terms like Bank, Insurance, Government, or SA require separate authorisation before CIPC will approve them.
- It's a plain descriptive word with nothing to distinguish it — a single generic term, on its own, is usually rejected.
- A misleading suffix — "Incorporated" (Inc) is reserved for a specific type of personal-liability company, not general use.
- Uncertified or mismatched ID documents — a name, ID number, or address that doesn't match official records will hold up the director and incorporator checks.
None of these are fatal — a rejected name simply needs a resubmission with an adjusted option — but each round trip costs time. Getting the name and documents right the first time is the single biggest lever on turnaround.
Already have a CC?
If you're operating through a close corporation and want the liability structure or credibility of a Pty Ltd, you don't need to close the CC and start over. CIPC allows a formal conversion, which carries your existing registration history across to the new entity rather than starting a fresh company record.
You can register now and add or change the name afterwards — it just means an extra filing down the line. It's usually simpler to lock in the name you want at registration if you already know it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does company registration take?
A standard private company registration is usually processed within 1 to 5 working days once your name is reserved and your documents are in order. Clean, unambiguous name applications clear faster; names that need a manual CIPC review take longer.
What documents do I need to register a company?
Certified copies of ID documents (or passports for foreign nationals) for every director and incorporator, proof of residential address, your share structure, and one to four proposed company names in order of preference.
Can I register a company myself, or do I need help?
You can register directly through CIPC's e-Services portal or BizPortal yourself. Many people do. Where a service provider like Reg Assistance helps is in avoiding the name and document errors that cause delays, and in handling the CIPC follow-up if something stalls.
Can I change my company name after registration?
Yes. You reserve a new name, pass a special resolution, and file a Notice of Amendment with CIPC. Once approved, CIPC issues an amended Certificate of Incorporation with the new name.
What's the difference between a Pty Ltd and a close corporation (CC)?
CCs have not been available for new registration since the Companies Act of 2008 came into effect. Existing CCs can keep operating, but every new registration today is a private company (Pty Ltd). Many CC owners choose to convert to a Pty Ltd.