How Do I Reinstate a Deregistered Company in South Africa?
Quick Answer
How Do I Reinstate a Deregistered Company in South Africa?
To reinstate a deregistered company, apply to CIPC on form CoR40.5 with the R200 fee, certified IDs and proof the company was active or holds value. Once approved, file all outstanding annual returns at late rates and update beneficial ownership to restore full compliance.
What this means in plain language
Reinstatement restores the company as if it was never deregistered – contracts, assets and history revive with it. That is why it usually beats registering a fresh company when the old one holds anything of value.
CIPC asks why you want the company back. The strongest reasons: it was trading when deregistered, it owns property or assets, or it has enforceable contracts and debts to settle.
Who this applies to
- Directors of deregistered companies that still hold assets or contracts
- Creditors needing the company restored to collect a debt
Step by step
- Confirm on CIPC eServices that the company is fully deregistered (not just “in process”).
- Complete form CoR40.5 with the company details and the reason for reinstatement.
- Attach certified ID copies, proof of activity or assets (deed, bank letter, contracts) and pay R200.
- Wait for approval – the status changes to “in reinstatement process” then restored.
- File every outstanding annual return at the late rate and the current beneficial ownership declaration.
What it costs
| Item | Cost / detail |
|---|---|
| Reinstatement application (CoR40.5) | R200 |
| Outstanding annual returns | Each year at the late rate for your turnover band |
| Beneficial ownership filing | Free |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without evidence of assets or activity – bare applications with no reason are delayed or declined.
- Forgetting the outstanding annual returns after approval – the company slips back toward deregistration.
- Trading during the process – wait for the restored status before signing new deals.
A South African example
A family CC in Mbombela owns a small rental property but was deregistered for missed returns. The members file CoR40.5 with the title deed as proof, pay R200 plus three late returns (R750 total), and the CC – and its property – is back on the register within six weeks.
Related questions
- What Happens If My Company Is Deregistered by CIPC?
- What Is a CIPC Annual Return?
- CIPC Company Compliance: The Complete Guide for South African
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to reinstate a deregistered company?
The CIPC reinstatement fee is R200 (form CoR40.5). On top of that you pay every outstanding annual return at the late rate – from R150 per year at the lowest turnover band.
How long does CIPC reinstatement take?
Commonly two to eight weeks depending on the document queue and whether your evidence is complete. Companies holding fixed property can take longer.
Is reinstatement better than registering a new company?
Usually yes if the old company owns assets, holds contracts, or has a trading history and credit record. If it was an empty shell, a fresh R175 registration is faster and cleaner.
Official sources
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.
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