Start & register · South Africa

How to register a company in South Africa

By Uminathi Business Start-Up ServicesPublished 19 October 2026Updated 19 October 20266 min read

Quick answer

You register a company in South Africa with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), online through the CIPC eServices or BizPortal websites. Most small businesses register a private company, (Pty) Ltd. You need certified ID copies and details for each director, a few name options and a valid email address. Once registered, you receive a registration certificate (COR 14.3), and you can open a business bank account and register for SARS, CSD and tenders.

Read the complete guide below.

At a glance

Who registers companies	CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
Most common type	Private company, (Pty) Ltd
Where	Online: CIPC eServices or BizPortal
Minimum people	One director, who can also be the only shareholder
Proof of registration	Registration certificate COR 14.3
Yearly duty after registration	File a CIPC annual return every year

What does it mean to register a company?

Registering a company creates a separate legal person in the CIPC register. The company can sign contracts, own assets, open a bank account and owe money in its own name, which separates your personal finances from the business.

You do not have to register a company to trade. You can work as a sole proprietor and declare the income in your personal tax return. But most corporate clients, banks, funders and all government buyers expect a registered company.

Which type of business should I register?

For most new businesses the answer is a private company, (Pty) Ltd. It is quick to register, needs only one director, and is what clients and tender documents expect.

Structure	Suitable for	Key considerations
Sole proprietor	Testing an idea, freelancers, very small operations	No CIPC registration; you are personally liable for business debts
Private company (Pty) Ltd	Most small and growing businesses	Separate legal person; yearly CIPC annual returns and its own tax returns
Non-profit company (NPC)	Community, charitable and social organisations	Cannot distribute profits to members; different tax rules
Partnership	Two or more people sharing a business	No separate legal person; partners share liability
Co-operative	Members running a business together	Registered with CIPC under the Co-operatives Act

Close corporations (CCs) can no longer be registered. Existing CCs can still operate.

What documents do I need to register a company?

You need the following for each director:

A certified copy of their South African ID (or passport for foreign nationals)
Their residential address, email address and cellphone number

And for the company:

Two to four name options, in order of preference (or register with the registration number as the name and change it later)
The registered business address
The number of shares and who owns them

How do I choose a company name?

Choose a name that is not already registered and is not too similar to an existing company or trade mark. CIPC rejects names that are identical, confusingly similar, offensive or that suggest a link to government without permission.

Practical tips:

Search the name on the CIPC website before applying
Give more than one option, in order of preference
Keep it short and easy to spell, and check the matching website domain is available
Remember a registered company name is not a trade mark. Register a trade mark separately if the brand is valuable

How long does company registration take?

Registration usually takes a few working days once CIPC approves the name and the documents are correct. Delays mostly come from rejected names, unclear ID copies or details that do not match the Department of Home Affairs records.

How much does it cost to register a company?

You pay CIPC's official filing fees for the name reservation and the registration. If you use a service provider, you also pay their fee. Uminathi registers a private company for R650, which includes the work of preparing and submitting the application. Check the current official CIPC fees on the CIPC website before you apply yourself.

What happens after my company is registered?

Registration is the start, not the finish. After you receive your COR 14.3:

Open a business bank account in the company's name. See how to open a business bank account.
Check your tax number. SARS usually registers new companies for income tax from CIPC's records. Confirm the number on SARS eFiling and register for other taxes (VAT, PAYE) when they apply.
File beneficial ownership information with CIPC, showing who ultimately owns or controls the company, and keep it up to date.
Issue share certificates to the shareholders and keep a securities register.
Register on CSD if you want to sell to government. See CSD registration.
Diarise your annual return. It is due every year in the month the company was registered. See CIPC annual returns.

What are the common mistakes when registering a company?

Using blurry or uncertified ID copies, which leads to rejections
Picking a name that is too close to an existing business
Registering, then never opening a bank account or checking the tax number
Forgetting beneficial ownership filing and annual returns
Leaving a director who has left the business on the CIPC record

Which business guides should I read next?

Once your company is registered, the next step depends on your industry. These guides cover the industry-specific steps:

Step by step

Choose your structure. Decide whether a private company (Pty) Ltd suits you, or whether to start as a sole proprietor.
Prepare director documents. Get certified ID copies and contact details for every director.
Choose name options. Search CIPC for similar names and prepare two to four options in order of preference.
Apply on CIPC eServices or BizPortal. Create a customer profile, submit the name reservation and company registration, and pay the CIPC fees.
Receive your COR 14.3. CIPC emails the registration certificate and company documents once the application is approved.
Complete the after-registration steps. Open a bank account, confirm the SARS tax number, file beneficial ownership and diarise your annual return.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a company online in South Africa?

Yes. Company registration is done online through CIPC eServices or the BizPortal website. You can also use a service provider to do it for you.

Can one person register a company?

Yes. A private company needs at least one director, and that person can also be the only shareholder.

Do I need an accountant to register a company?

No. You can register yourself. An accountant becomes useful later for tax returns and financial statements.

Is a company automatically registered for tax?

SARS usually registers new companies for income tax using CIPC's information. Confirm your tax number on eFiling and register separately for VAT and PAYE when they apply.

Can a foreign national register a company in South Africa?

Foreign nationals can be directors and shareholders, using a passport instead of an ID. Banks and other bodies may ask for extra documents, such as proof of address or permits.

What is a COR 14.3?

It is the company registration certificate CIPC issues when a company is registered. Banks, clients and tender documents ask for it.

What if I don't file annual returns?

CIPC can start deregistering the company. A deregistered company cannot legally trade, and reinstating it costs time and money.

Official sources

Uminathi Business Start-Up Services is a private company. We are not part of, or acting for, CIPC, SARS, National Treasury (CSD), CIDB, the Department of Employment and Labour or any other government body. Requirements change, so always confirm with the official source.