How do I check if a company is registered with CIPC?

Go to the CIPC website and open the public Entity Search. Enter the company name or registration number and view the results. The record will show the company’s name, registration number, type and status.

Is it free to check a company’s registration on CIPC?

Yes. The basic CIPC entity search is free. Third-party services may charge for enhanced reports such as directors, compliance history, or document downloads.

What information do I need to do a CIPC search?

Ideally the company’s registration number (e.g., 2025/012345/07). If you do not have it, use the registered company name. Trading names often won’t match, so use the legal name if possible.

What does the CIPC status mean?

Active means the company is registered and in good standing. Deregistered means it has lost legal status, usually for failing to file annual returns. In Process indicates a registration or deregistration action is still being finalised.

Why can’t I find a company on the CIPC database?

Common reasons include a misspelled name, searching a trading name instead of the registered name, a very recent registration not yet indexed, or the entity being deregistered. Try searching by registration number or confirm the exact legal name.

Can I download proof that a company is registered?

Yes. Once you locate the entity on CIPC, you can request or download official documents such as the COR14.3 registration certificate. Availability may vary based on the portal and document type.

Are there alternatives if the CIPC site is down?

Yes. Use BizPortal or reputable third-party data providers such as pbVerify, SearchWorks or DataNamix for registry lookups. Note that third-party services may charge a fee.

How do I verify my own company’s status?

Search your registration number on the CIPC Entity Search and check the Status field. If it shows Deregistered, file outstanding annual returns and follow CIPC’s re-instatement process or contact CIPC support.

How to Check if a Company is Registered with the CIPC

Johan De Wet
Oct 5
3 min read

Quick Answer: To check if a company is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), visit the official CIPC website, use the “Register Search” or “Entity Search” tool, and enter the company name or registration number. The system will show the company’s registration status, type, and date of incorporation.

Why You Should Check a Company’s Registration Status

Verifying whether a business is registered helps you:

Confirm that the company is legally registered in South Africa.
Avoid dealing with fraudulent or fake businesses.
Check if your own company or client is still active or deregistered.
Get official details like directors, status, and registration date.

Tip: You can check any company registered under the Companies Act (2008) using the CIPC public database.

Step-by-Step: How to Check if a Company is Registered with CIPC

Here’s the exact process to verify a company in South Africa:

Step 1: Go to the CIPC Website

Visit the official CIPC site at www.cipc.co.za.

From the homepage, scroll down to find the “BizPortal” or “Entity Search” option under “Online Services.”

Step 2: Click on “Search for a Company” or “Entity Search”

This takes you to the public search database where anyone can look up a registered company.

You’ll see fields where you can enter either the company name or the registration number.

Step 3: Enter the Company Name or Registration Number

If you know the company name, type it in the search box.
If you have the registration number (e.g., 2022/123456/07), enter it directly for faster results.

Click Search and wait for the results to load.

Step 4: View the Company’s Details

The system will display information such as:

Company Name
Registration Number
Enterprise Type (e.g., Pty Ltd, CC)
Registration Date
Company Status (Active / Deregistered / In Process)

If you click on the company name, you can see additional details such as directors and contact info (depending on permissions).

Step 5: Verify the Status

The most important field is the “Status”:

Active → The company is legally registered and compliant.
Deregistered → The company failed to file annual returns and is no longer active.
In Process → The registration or deregistration is still being finalised.

Alternative Ways to Check Company Registration

If the CIPC site is slow or down, you can also:

Use the BizPortal site: https://bizportal.gov.za.
Search on third-party data providers like pbVerify, SearchWorks, or DataNamix (these often include director and compliance history).
Ask the company to provide its CIPC registration certificate (COR14.3).

Tip: Always compare the registration number from the certificate with what appears on the CIPC database — they must match exactly.

Common Reasons a Company Doesn’t Appear on CIPC

If you can’t find a company, it could be because:

The company name is spelled incorrectly.
The company was recently registered and not yet listed.
The company has been deregistered for missing annual returns.
It’s a trading name (not the official registered name).

How to Confirm If Your Own Company Is Still Active

Go to the CIPC Entity Search page.
Enter your registration number or company name.
Check the status — if it shows “Deregistered,” you may need to file overdue annual returns.
You can also email enquiries@cipc.co.za for help.

FAQs About Checking Company Registration with CIPC

1. Can anyone check if a company is registered?

Yes. The CIPC database is public and accessible to everyone.

2. What if a company uses a trading name?

Search by the official registered name — trading names often differ from the legal name on CIPC.

3. How can I verify if a company is active or deregistered?

Check the Status column in the CIPC results. “Active” means compliant; “Deregistered” means the company has lost its legal status.

4. Can I download proof of registration?

Yes. Once you find the company, you can download or request its registration certificate (COR14.3).

5. Do I need to pay to check company registration?

No, the basic CIPC search is free. Some third-party platforms may charge for detailed reports.

Final Thoughts

Checking whether a company is registered with CIPC is quick, free, and essential for business due diligence. All you need is the company name or registration number to confirm its legal status and avoid fraudulent dealings.

If you want professional help checking company compliance or status updates, Smartbook offers a free company lookup and CIPC compliance check service for business owners.