How to Register a Company in South Africa (2025) — Step-by-Step

How much does company registration cost?

Company registration through CIPC costs R175 for a standard (Pty) Ltd (as of 2025). This is payable online via the BizPortal using credit card or EFT. Additional costs apply for:

Name reservation: R50 per name (optional if you use an auto-generated name)
Annual return filing: R100–R450 depending on company turnover
Certified documents and ID copies for directors

Requirements to register a company

At least one director (must be 18+ and not disqualified)
Valid South African ID or passport for foreign directors
A South African postal and physical address
At least one shareholder (can be the same person as the director)
A unique company name (or accept an auto-generated name)

Step 1: Reserve a company name (or skip this)

On BizPortal, you can reserve a company name before registering. Submit up to 4 name options in order of preference. CIPC will check for conflicts and approve or reject each. This takes 1–3 business days.

Alternatively, tick "use an auto-generated name" and CIPC will assign a numeric/letter name like 2025/123456/07. You can change the name later.

Step 2: Register the company on BizPortal

Go to bizportal.gov.za and create an account
Log in and select "Register a Local Company"
Enter your reserved name or select auto-generated name
Enter director details (name, ID, address, contact info)
Enter shareholder details and share allocation
Enter company address and contact details
Review and pay the R175 registration fee
Submit and wait for CIPC approval

How long does company registration take?

If you use an auto-generated name and pay immediately, registration is typically approved within 1–3 business days. With a name reservation, add 1–3 extra days for name approval first.

What happens after registration?

Once approved, CIPC issues:

Certificate of Incorporation (COR14.1)
Company registration number
Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)

You must then open a bank account, register for tax with SARS, and maintain statutory registers. Your first annual return is due within 30 days of your registration anniversary.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a PO Box as your registered address — CIPC requires a physical street address
Forgetting to file annual returns — leads to eventual deregistration
Not updating director changes within the required timeframe
Mixing personal and company finances before a bank account is opened
Not maintaining a statutory register — it's a legal requirement