How to Get a Letter of Good Standing from the CIPC (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Johan De Wet
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Need to prove your business is fully compliant with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)?Then you’ll need a Letter of Good Standing — an official confirmation that your company is up to date with its annual returns and remains legally registered.
This document is often required when applying for tenders, funding, or opening a business account.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the CIPC Letter of Good Standing is, how to get it, and how Smartbook can handle the entire process for you.
What Is a CIPC Letter of Good Standing?
A CIPC Letter of Good Standing is an official confirmation that your company:
Has filed all required annual returns,
Has paid all CIPC fees and penalties, and
Is currently in business (not deregistered).
It’s sometimes referred to as a CIPC Compliance Certificate or CIPC Status Report.
Smartbook Tip: Don’t confuse this with a Department of Labour Letter of Good Standing — that one relates to COIDA (Workmen’s Compensation), while the CIPC version confirms company registration compliance.
Why You Need a CIPC Letter of Good Standing
This document is often required when:
Applying for government or municipal tenders
Registering on the CSD (Central Supplier Database)
Opening or verifying a business bank account
Applying for business funding or supplier contracts
Submitting proof of compliance for SARS or B-BBEE
Essentially, it’s a quick way to prove your company is active, legitimate, and compliant with the Companies Act.
What You Need Before Requesting the Letter
Before you can request your CIPC Letter of Good Standing, make sure your company is in full compliance:
All annual returns are up to date
All penalties (if any) are paid
Your directors and company details are correct on CIPC
Your company is listed as “In Business” on the CIPC register
If you’re unsure, Smartbook can check your CIPC compliance status for you instantly.
How to Get a CIPC Letter of Good Standing (Step-by-Step)
Here’s exactly how to obtain your Letter of Good Standing directly from CIPC.
Step 1: Go to the CIPC Website
Visit https://eservices.cipc.co.za.
Click on “Customer Login.”
Step 2: Log in Using Your CIPC Customer Code
Enter your Customer Code and Password.
If you’ve lost these, Smartbook can recover them for you.
Step 3: Select “Disclosure and Certificates”
From the dashboard, go to “Disclosure and Certificates.”
Step 4: Choose “Letter of Good Standing” or “Compliance Certificate”
Under available reports, click “Letter of Good Standing.”
(Depending on updates, it may also appear as “Company Status Report.”)
Step 5: Enter Your Company Registration Number
Type your company number (e.g. 2021/123456/07) exactly as shown on your registration certificate.
Step 6: Download the Letter
Click “Download Certificate.”
A PDF will download instantly showing your company’s status as “In Business.”
If your company is not compliant, the system will show “Deregistered” or “In Process of Deregistration” instead.
What the Letter Looks Like
Your CIPC Letter of Good Standing will include:
Your company name and registration number
Your date of incorporation
Your current company status (e.g. “In Business”)
The CIPC logo and signature
It’s a one-page PDF you can attach to tenders, banking applications, or compliance submissions.
How Smartbook Can Help You
If you don’t have access to your CIPC account or your company isn’t compliant, Smartbook can handle everything for you.
We’ll:
Check your CIPC status instantly
File any outstanding annual returns
Pay all penalties (if applicable)
Retrieve and email your official Letter of Good Standing
Just send your company name or registration number, and we’ll handle the rest — fast and accurate.
Task | Timeframe |
CIPC download (if compliant) | Instant |
CIPC updates (if non-compliant) | 1–3 business days |
Smartbook retrieval (with compliance check) | Usually within 24 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a CIPC Letter of Good Standing used for?
It confirms that your company is active, compliant, and has paid all annual return fees — required for tenders, funding, and CSD registration.
2. How do I get my CIPC Letter of Good Standing?
Log into the CIPC eServices portal, go to Disclosure and Certificates, select Letter of Good Standing, and download the PDF.
3. What if my company is deregistered?
You must first reinstate your company by filing all outstanding annual returns before you can get the letter.
4. Does CIPC charge for the Letter of Good Standing?
No — the document is free if your company is compliant.
5. Can Smartbook get my Letter of Good Standing for me?
Yes! Smartbook can file your missing annual returns and deliver your Letter of Good Standing directly to your inbox.
Final Thoughts
A CIPC Letter of Good Standing is one of the simplest ways to prove your business is compliant — but you can only get it if your company’s annual returns and details are up to date.
If you’re not sure where to start, Smartbook can check your CIPC status, fix compliance issues, and email your official letter — fast and accurate.
Comments