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Share Certificate

Quick Answer

What is Share Certificate?

A share certificate is the document evidencing a shareholder‘s ownership of specific numbered shares in a company.

Share Certificate explained

The company issues certificates and keeps a share register. Transfers update both – and ownership changes feed into the beneficial ownership filing.

Who it applies to: Companies and their shareholders.

Cost: Free to issue.

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.