File beneficial ownership (10 days)
Every company must declare the natural persons who ultimately own or control it within 10 business days of incorporation. Missing it flags your record as non-compliant.
Company registration guide · 2026
How to register a company in South Africa
You can register a private company (Pty Ltd) with CIPC in as little as one day, fully online, from R175. This guide walks you through every step — from choosing a structure to the post-registration deadlines most owners miss.
What you get
- Cost: R175 with a reserved name (R125 without a name) via BizPortal
- Timeline: 1–7 business days — often approved same-day
- Structure: Private Company (Pty) Ltd for almost every SME
- You receive: a CoR14.3 certificate and an auto-generated SARS tax number
From
R175
Turnaround
1–7 days
For
South African founders registering a private company (Pty Ltd)
Registering a company with CIPC is the first real step to trading legally in South Africa, and it is more accessible than most people expect. Through the government's BizPortal platform you can register a private company (Pty Ltd) online for R175 with a reserved name, or R125 without one — no CIPC office visit required, and often approved the same day.
But registration is only half the job. CIPC gives you a company; SARS, beneficial ownership and banking obligations kick in within days of incorporation. This guide covers both — the registration walkthrough and the post-registration steps — so you start compliant instead of scrambling.
Choose your company structure
The Companies Act 71 of 2008 offers several entity types. For almost every SME, the answer is a Private Company (Pty) Ltd.
- Private Company (Pty) Ltd — the default for SMEs and startups: limited liability, one director, one shareholder minimum
- Non-Profit Company (NPC) — for public-benefit organisations; profits can't be distributed to members
- Personal Liability Company (Inc.) — for professionals like attorneys, auditors and engineers
- Public Company (Ltd) — for raising capital publicly; requires at least three directors
After you register: 6 steps to stay compliant
Activate SARS eFiling
Set up a dedicated company eFiling profile and appoint a Public Officer (usually the sole director) via the RAV01 form to manage your tax affairs.
Open a business bank account
Use your CoR14.3, director IDs and proof of address. FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa and Capitec all support company account opening.
Register for PAYE, UIF & COIDA
If you employ anyone — including a director drawing a salary — register for PAYE and UIF with SARS, and for COIDA within 7 days of your first hire.
Register for VAT (if applicable)
VAT registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes R2.3 million in 12 months, and voluntary from R120,000 — per the 2026 threshold increase.
File your first annual return
File a CIPC annual return on the anniversary of incorporation, every year, to keep your company in good standing and avoid deregistration.
How to register, step by step
Reserve a name (or skip it)
Propose up to four names with CIPC for a R50 fee — approved reservations last 6 months. In a hurry? Register without a name for less and get your registration number as the name, then apply for a free name change later.
Gather what you need
Have your SA ID number, each director's ID and details, a registered street address (not a PO Box), and an email and cellphone that can receive OTPs during the process.
Register online
Use BizPortal (bizportal.gov.za) if you hold an SA ID — simpler and faster. Foreign nationals use CIPC eServices. Verify director IDs, enter the registered address, accept the standard MOI, and pay R175 within 5 days.
Get your documents
CIPC processes the application in 1–7 business days, often same-day. Once approved, download your CoR14.3 certificate — you'll need it to open a bank account and register on eFiling.
What you need before you start
Have these ready to avoid stalled applications and OTP failures.
- South African ID number (or a CIPC customer code for non-SA-ID holders)
- Each director's ID number, date of issue, and marital details if applicable
- A cellphone number and email that can receive OTPs
- A physical street address for the registered office (not a PO Box)
- A valid payment method — debit card, credit card, or EFT
Common questions
How much does it cost to register a company in South Africa?
CIPC's official fee is R175 with a reserved name, or R125 without a name, via BizPortal. A separate name reservation costs R50.
How long does company registration take?
Typically 1 to 7 business days. BizPortal registrations are frequently approved on the same day once your details are verified and the name is approved.
Can I register a company myself?
Yes — SA ID holders can register directly on BizPortal. Many owners use a service to avoid errors and to handle the post-registration compliance steps like beneficial ownership and SARS eFiling.
Do I need to register with SARS separately?
CIPC automatically generates a SARS income tax number when your company is registered, but you still need to activate eFiling and appoint a Public Officer yourself.
What is a CoR14.3 certificate?
It's your official company registration certificate, confirming your company name, registration number, incorporation date and registered address. You'll need it for banking and eFiling.
Can a foreigner register a company in South Africa?
Yes. Foreign nationals register via CIPC eServices with a customer code, since BizPortal requires a South African ID number.
Related services
Last reviewed: July 2026. Smartbook keeps this page current with CIPC and SARS rules.
Ready to get this sorted?
Tell us about your company and we'll send a free compliance check.
Register your company