How to Verify Directors on the CIPC Database (Step-by-Step Guide)

Want to confirm who the registered directors of a company are?

You can do it instantly using the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)’s official online database.

Verifying directors helps ensure transparency, protect against fraud, and confirm that you’re dealing with the legally authorised representatives of a business.

In this Smartbook guide, we’ll show you exactly how to verify directors on the CIPC database, what the results mean, and how to get a verified director report for compliance or tender purposes.

Why Verify Directors?

Checking a company’s directors on the CIPC database helps you:

• Confirm who legally represents a business

• Avoid fraud or misrepresentation

• Ensure your own company’s records are correct

• Verify directorships for funding, tenders, or due diligence

• Confirm whether a person is a director of multiple companies

  
  

Smartbook Tip: Director verification is also a great way to check if someone has been appointed or removed correctly with CIPC.

What You’ll Need Before You Start 

Before searching, have at least one of the following:

• Company registration number (e.g. 2023/123456/07), or

• Director’s full name or ID number

The CIPC system will match these details to show director information and appointment records.

How to Verify Directors on the CIPC Database (Step-by-Step)

Here’s exactly how to perform a director verification search:

Step 1: Go to the CIPC Website

Visit https://eservices.cipc.co.za.Scroll down and click “Search” → “Company/Director Search.”

You can also go directly to the search page:👉 https://eservices.cipc.co.za/Search.aspx

Step 2: Choose the “Director Search” Option 

You’ll see two tabs:

• Company Search – to find company details

• Director Search – to find who is linked to a company

Select “Director Search.”

Step 3: Enter the Director’s Details 

Type in the director’s name or ID number and click “Search.”

The system will return a list of all companies that the director is (or was) associated with, including:

• Company Name

• Company Registration Number

• Status (Active or Deregistered)

• Appointment Date

Step 4: Click a Company to View Full Details 

Click on the company name to view:

• All current and former directors

• Their appointment and resignation dates

• The company’s registration status

You can print or screenshot this for verification or record-keeping.

Step 5: (Optional) Get an Official CIPC Disclosure Report 

If you need a formal document (for tenders, funding, or legal verification), log into your CIPC account and request a Disclosure Certificate under:“Disclosure and Certificates → Company Director Report.”

This report includes the official CIPC header, signature, and confirmation of all directors.

Understanding the Director Verification Results

Column	What It Means
Director Name	The person legally registered as a director.
Company Name	The company the person is (or was) linked to.
Registration Number	The unique CIPC ID for that company.
Status	“In Business” means active; “Deregistered” means the company no longer exists.
Appointment Date	The date the person officially became a director.
Resignation Date	If applicable, shows when they left the company.

What If the Director Doesn’t Appear?

If your search shows no results, it could mean:

• The director was never registered with CIPC.

• Their ID number or name is spelled incorrectly.

• The CIPC record hasn’t been updated after appointment/removal.

• The company was deregistered and removed from the active database.

Smartbook Tip: Smartbook can check archived CIPC records and confirm whether the director was ever appointed — even if they’ve been removed.

How Smartbook Can Help You 

Smartbook can perform official CIPC director verifications and issue compliance-ready reports for tenders, funding, or due diligence.

We’ll:

• Verify all current and former directors linked to a company

• Retrieve the official CIPC disclosure certificate

• Confirm director appointment and resignation dates

• Provide a stamped, compliance-ready report

Just send your company name or registration number, and Smartbook will deliver the official CIPC director verification within minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. Is the CIPC director search free?

Yes. You can freely search for a company’s directors on the CIPC website without logging in.

2. Can I see past directors as well?

Yes. The CIPC system displays both current and former directors with their resignation dates.

3. What does “In Business” mean?

It means the company is active and compliant with all CIPC filing requirements.

4. Can I search by ID number?

Yes, if you have the director’s ID number, you can use it to find all companies they’re linked to.

5. Can Smartbook provide an official director verification letter?

Yes. Smartbook can retrieve and email you the official CIPC disclosure certificate showing verified director details.

Final Thoughts 

Verifying a company’s directors through CIPC is one of the easiest ways to confirm legal responsibility and protect your business from fraud or misinformation.

You can do it yourself online — or let Smartbook handle it for you.