Your company registration certificate is the COR14.3. CIPC emails it to you as a PDF when your company is registered. If you've lost it, log in to CIPC eServices and re-download it from your customer account, or request a copy using your company's registration number.
This guide explains what the COR14.3 is, how to get a copy, what the other CIPC documents are for, and how to fix the most common download problems.
What is a COR14.3?
The COR14.3 is the official Registration Certificate that CIPC issues when a company is incorporated under the Companies Act. It confirms:
the company's registered name
its registration number (for example 2021/123456/07)
the date of incorporation
the type of company, such as a private company (Pty) Ltd
It's the document most people ask for when they want "proof that your company is registered". Banks ask for it when you open a business account. It's also required for SARS registrations, tenders, CSD registration and many supplier applications.
The layout of the COR14.3 has changed over the years (CIPC last amended it in 2021 after banks struggled to accept one version), so an older certificate may look different from a new one. Both are valid. Because a COR14.3 only shows the details on the day it was issued, many banks also ask for a recent disclosure certificate.
How to download your COR14.3, step by step
If your company was registered through your own CIPC customer account:
Go to eservices.cipc.co.za and log in with your customer code and password.
Open the section for your company's documents or transactions. The menu names change from time to time, but look for your company registrations or completed transactions.
Find your company's registration number and open the registration record.
Download the certificate PDF. It's often in the same bundle as your Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).
Save a copy somewhere safe, such as your cloud storage, and send one to your accountant.
If someone else registered the company (an agent, accountant or previous owner):
Ask them to send you the original PDF. It's linked to their CIPC customer account, not yours.
If they can't or won't, you can request copies of the company's documents through CIPC eServices, or ask a service provider to do it for you.
If you can't find the email: Search your inbox for "CIPC" or your registration number, including your spam folder. The documents usually come from a CIPC "no-reply" address with the registration number in the subject line.
Other CIPC documents you may need
The COR14.3 isn't the only company document. Here's what the others are and when you need them.
| Document | What it is | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| COR14.3 | Registration certificate | Bank accounts, SARS, tenders, suppliers |
| COR15.1 (A–E) | Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI), the company's rules | Banks, investors, share transfers, disputes |
| Disclosure certificate | Current official summary: status, directors, address | When someone needs up-to-date proof |
| COR39 (older companies) | Record of directors | Replaced in practice by the disclosure certificate |
| Share certificates | Proof of who owns shares | Share transfers, bank KYC, shareholder disputes |
| Securities register | The company's internal list of shareholders | Beneficial ownership filing, due diligence |
Share certificates and the securities register are not issued by CIPC. The company must prepare and keep them itself. If yours were never done, we can help with share certificates. Our free securities register generator is another place to start.
For an up-to-date record of your company, read our guide to the CIPC disclosure certificate.
Common problems (and how to fix them)
"I can't log in to CIPC eServices." Use the forgotten password option on the login page. If the email or cellphone number on your customer profile is out of date, you'll need to update your profile with CIPC, which can take some back and forth. It's often quicker to have a service provider request the documents for you.
"The certificate shows the wrong details." If a director has changed or the company has moved address since registration, the original COR14.3 won't show the new details. It was correct on the day it was issued. File the change with CIPC (for example a change of directors or address change) and use a new disclosure certificate as proof.
"The bank says my certificate is too old." Banks often want proof that is less than three months old. Give them your COR14.3 plus a recent disclosure certificate. A full disclosure certificate costs R30 on CIPC eServices.
"My company's status isn't 'In business'." If CIPC shows your company as in deregistration, you may struggle to get documents or use them with banks. File outstanding annual returns first, or apply for company reinstatement if the company has already been deregistered.
"The download doesn't open." Try a different browser, turn off pop-up blockers for the CIPC site, and open the file with a PDF reader rather than a web preview.
Let us get your documents for you
If you'd rather not deal with CIPC logins, Smartbook can get your company registration documents for you. That covers your COR14.3, MOI and a current disclosure certificate, emailed to you as PDFs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the COR14.3 the same as the company registration certificate? Yes. COR14.3 is the CIPC form number for the Registration Certificate.
Does the COR14.3 expire? No. It remains valid for as long as the company exists. But it only shows the details as they were on the date it was issued. For current details, use a disclosure certificate.
Can I get my COR14.3 if I only have the registration number? Yes. The registration number is what you or a service provider use to request copies of the company's documents from CIPC.
Where is the MOI? The MOI (form COR15.1A for most small companies) is issued with the COR14.3 and is usually in the same email or download bundle.
Who keeps the share certificates? The company does, not CIPC. If share certificates were never issued, the company should issue them and record the shareholders in its securities register.