Certificate of Incorporation
Quick Answer
What is Certificate of Incorporation?
The certificate of incorporation (CoR14.3) is the document CIPC issues when a company is born – proof it legally exists.
Certificate of Incorporation explained
It carries the company name, registration number and date of incorporation – the date that sets every future annual return deadline.
Who it applies to: Every registered company.
Cost: Included in the registration fee.
Related terms and guides
Official source: CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
About BizAnswers: BizAnswers is a privately owned South African company – not a government department. Our guides are free to read and show you how to do things yourself through official channels. If you would rather have the paperwork handled for you, we assist individuals and businesses with filing their South African tax returns and staying compliant, which is a paid service, not a free government service. Contact us for help.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.