You can check whether a South African company is registered by searching the CIPC records on BizPortal or CIPC eServices. The search is free: you only need to create a login first. Search by the company name, the registration number or a director's ID number. The result shows the company's name, registration number, status and directors.
This guide walks you through each search method, explains what every company status means, and tells you what to do if the company you're looking for is deregistered.
Why you should check a company before doing business with it
A quick CIPC check protects you before you sign a contract, pay a deposit, hire a supplier or accept a big order. It tells you three things:
The company exists. A registration number on an invoice or website means nothing until you've seen it on the CIPC record.
It's still active. A company in deregistration can't legally enter into new contracts in the normal way. It may also be behind on its annual returns.
Who's behind it. You can see the directors and check them against the people you're dealing with.
It's also worth checking your own company. Many owners only find out they're behind on annual returns when a bank, a tender office or SARS tells them their company is "in deregistration".
Free ways to search a company
Since 2021, CIPC no longer allows anonymous searches because of the POPI Act. You need a free login. There are two places to search.
1. BizPortal (bizportal.gov.za). This is the simplest option for most people. Register as a customer with your ID number and email address, log in, and use the company search. CIPC limits searches to about 20 a day per person. That's plenty for checking a few suppliers or your own company.
2. CIPC eServices (eservices.cipc.co.za). This is the same customer account you use to file annual returns. Its enquiry section shows more detail and lets you order official documents such as a disclosure certificate.
If you need a certified record for a bank, a tender or a legal matter, order a disclosure certificate. The next sections explain when you need one.
How to search by company name
Log in to BizPortal or CIPC eServices.
Open the company or enterprise search.
Type the company name. You don't need "(Pty) Ltd" at the end. A partial name works, but a more exact name gives fewer results.
Pick the right company from the list. Similar names are common, so check the registration number and date.
Open the company record to see the status, registration date, registered address and directors.
Tip: If you can't find the company, try spelling variations, spaces and abbreviations ("SA", "South Africa", "&" or "and"). A trading name is often different from the registered name. Check the invoice or contract for the registered name.
How to search by registration number
This is the most reliable search because every company has a unique number. South African company numbers look like this: 2019/123456/07.
The first four digits are the year of registration.
The six digits in the middle are the company's own number.
The last two digits show the company type. 07 is a private company (Pty) Ltd, 06 a public company, 08 a non-profit company, 21 a personal liability company (Inc) and 23 a close corporation.
Enter the full number with the slashes and the search should return exactly one company. If a number on an invoice returns nothing, or returns a company with a different name, treat it as a warning sign.
How to search by a director's ID number
CIPC eServices lets you search by a South African ID number to see the companies that person is linked to as a director. This is useful when:
you want to confirm that the person you're dealing with really is a director of the company, or
you need to see all the companies you're a director of yourself, for example after forgetting about an old dormant company.
You can't search by a director's name alone on the free CIPC search. You need the ID number. For foreign directors, use the passport number.
To check a director more thoroughly, including whether they've been declared delinquent, read our guide on delinquent directors in South Africa.
What each company status means
The status is the most important part of the result.
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| In business | The company is active on the CIPC register. | Nothing. Check that its annual returns are up to date. |
| AR deregistration process | CIPC has started deregistering the company for not filing annual returns. | File all outstanding annual returns immediately to stop the process. |
| Final AR deregistration | The company has been deregistered for missing annual returns. | Apply for reinstatement (see below). |
| Deregistration process | Deregistration has started for another reason, often at the owners' request. | Confirm whether the owners asked for it. If not, act quickly. |
| Final deregistration | The company has been removed from the register. | Apply for reinstatement. |
| In liquidation / In business rescue | The company is insolvent or being restructured under supervision. | Be very careful about extending credit. Speak to your attorney. |
A company "in deregistration" can usually be saved cheaply if you act early. In most cases it only needs its missing annual returns filed. Fees start at R100 a year for a company with turnover under R1 million (R150 if filed late). Our CIPC annual return fee calculator shows what you're likely to owe.
How to get a full disclosure certificate
A disclosure certificate is an official CIPC document. It confirms the company's registration details, status, registered address and current and past directors. Banks, landlords, tender offices and attorneys often ask for one.
Log in to CIPC eServices.
Load funds into your CIPC customer account if needed. A full disclosure certificate costs R30.
Request a disclosure certificate using the company's registration number.
CIPC emails the certificate to you, usually within a few minutes to a day.
Read more in our guide to the CIPC disclosure certificate. If you need other company documents, such as your registration certificate (COR14.3) or MOI, we can get your company registration documents for you.
What to do if the company is deregistered
If it's your company, don't leave it deregistered. A deregistered company's assets, including its bank balance and property, can pass to the state. The company also can't trade legally, sign contracts or receive tender payments. Reinstatement puts the company back on the register as if it had never been removed.
Reinstatement usually involves:
Filing all outstanding annual returns and beneficial ownership information.
Submitting the reinstatement application to CIPC with supporting documents.
Responding if CIPC requests additional information.
Our team handles this from start to finish. See company reinstatement.
If it's someone else's company, such as a supplier or client, ask them to explain the status and show proof that they've started reinstatement before you pay a deposit or sign a contract.
Keep your own company "In business"
Most deregistrations happen for one reason: missed annual returns. Every company must file one each year within 30 business days after the anniversary of its registration date. That applies even if the company is dormant or didn't trade.
Smartbook can file your annual returns and keep your beneficial ownership information up to date, so your company never slips into deregistration.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CIPC company search free? Yes. Searching on BizPortal or CIPC eServices is free, but you have to register and log in first. Only official documents carry a fee, for example R30 for a full disclosure certificate.
Can I check a company without a login? Not on the official CIPC systems. Since 2021, CIPC has required users to log in so it knows who is accessing company information, in line with the POPI Act.
What does 07 at the end of a registration number mean? It means the company is a private company, (Pty) Ltd. 06 is a public company, 08 a non-profit company, 21 a personal liability company (Inc) and 23 a close corporation.
How do I find out which companies I'm a director of? Log in to CIPC eServices and search using your own ID number. You'll see every company linked to you, including old ones you may have forgotten about. They still need annual returns unless they've been properly deregistered.
My company says "AR deregistration process". Is it too late? No. File all outstanding annual returns as soon as possible. If the company has already reached final deregistration, it can usually still be reinstated. Contact us and we'll check your company's status for you.