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CIPC

Company Registration (CIPC) - done right.

Register your company through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) - fast, accurately, and ready for banking, funding and tenders.

Quick facts

ServiceCIPC Registration
Timeline3–10 days
AuthorityCIPC
IncludesCert + reg no.
Annual returnsManaged for you
Who it's for

Who needs to register a company?

Starting a business in South Africa begins with registering through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Registration gives your business legal recognition - and unlocks business banking, funding applications and tender opportunities.

CIPC registration is essential for:

  • First-time entrepreneurs - moving from informal to formal trading
  • Established sole proprietors - separating personal and business finances
  • Partnerships scaling up - needing a Pty (Ltd) structure
  • Anyone applying for funding - funders require formal registration
  • Tender applicants - CIPC is a prerequisite for CSD and CIDB
Process

The 5 steps to a registered company.

We handle every step on your behalf - you just provide IDs and decisions.

01

Reserve a name

Unique, trademark-safe, easy to remember - or use your registration number initially.

02–03

Prepare & submit

Documents collected, forms completed, CIPC submission lodged on your behalf.

04–05

SARS & banking

Tax registration follows, plus support opening your first business bank account.

Documents

What you'll need.

Light document load - most of the work happens on our side.

Certified ID copies
All directors, within 3 months
Proof of address
Utility bill or lease (any director)
Director details
Names, IDs, share allocations
Contact details
Email and phone for each director
Name preferences
Up to 4 name options for reservation
Business activity
What the company will actually do
Free download

Startup compliance checklist (PDF)

Every registration, document and account you need in your first 90 days as a new business. CIPC, SARS, bank, UIF/PAYE, and CSD - in order.

Download the PDF
How we work

Our process.

From kick-off to certificate in hand - usually in under two weeks.

01

Free discovery call

20-min consult. We learn what you're building and choose the right company structure.

02

Name reservation

We submit your name options to CIPC and lock in your business name.

03

Submission & certificate

Registration filed. You receive your certificate, reg number and CoR documents.

04

SARS, banking & beyond

Tax registration, bank account introduction, and ongoing annual return reminders.

Why register

Benefits of registering a company.

Operate legally

Recognised legal entity - invoices, contracts, leases all in the business name.

Apply for funding

Funders require formal registration before assessing any application.

Build credibility

Suppliers and clients trust registered businesses more - it's a credibility marker.

Tender opportunities

Prerequisite for CSD, CIDB and most government procurement.

Business banking

Open a business account, separate personal and company finances.

Compliance pathway

Foundation for SARS, UIF, PAYE, COIDA and every other registration you'll need.

Avoid the delays

Common mistakes.

Most CIPC delays come from the same handful of issues. We pre-empt every one of them.

Names that aren't available

Trademark conflicts or near-duplicates of registered companies. We search before submission - and bring backup names.

Outdated certified copies

ID copies older than 3 months get rejected. We coordinate fresh certifications upfront.

Incorrect share allocations

Misallocating shares between directors creates problems at funding time. We get this right from day one.

Questions

Frequently asked.

How long does company registration take?
Timelines vary by CIPC processing and document readiness. Most registrations complete in 3–10 working days from full document handover.
Can I register without reserving a name first?
Yes - you can register and use your CIPC registration number as the company name initially, then add a name later. We'll advise on the right approach.
Do you also handle SARS registration?
Yes. Once your company is registered, we handle income tax, PAYE, UIF and VAT (where applicable) registrations as part of a startup bundle.
Can you help me open a business bank account?
We provide all the documentation you'll need for any major South African bank, plus introductions where helpful.
What about annual returns?
CIPC annual returns are mandatory - we manage these for clients on monthly retainer, or as a once-off service when they come due.

Ready to register your company?

Free 20-minute discovery call. We'll guide you through name reservation, structure and SARS setup.