How to Register a Company in South Africa (Step by Step, 2026)
Quick Answer
How to Register a Company in South Africa (Step by Step, 2026)
Register a company online at CIPC eServices or BizPortal: create a customer profile, optionally reserve a name (R50), complete the incorporation form (CoR14.1), pay R125 – R175, and receive your registration certificate within about 1-5 working days. SARS issues your income tax number automatically.
What this means in plain language
Company registration in South Africa is fully online. You no longer queue at CIPC offices – BizPortal even bundles UIF and Compensation Fund registration into the same application.
The company is born the moment CIPC issues the CoR14.3 certificate. From that date it can open bank accounts, sign contracts and invoice – and it owes an annual return every year on its birthday.
Who this applies to
- First-time entrepreneurs registering their first Pty Ltd
- Sole proprietors formalising into a company
- Anyone who needs a registered entity for tenders, funding or contracts
Step by step
- Create a customer profile on CIPC eServices or BizPortal with your SA ID.
- Reserve a company name (R50, up to 4 proposed names) or skip and use the enterprise number as the name.
- Complete the incorporation application (CoR14.1) with directors, addresses and shares.
- Pay the filing fee – R125 without a name, R175 with one.
- Download your CoR14.3 certificate and company documents when approved.
- Check your email for the automatic SARS income tax registration, then open a business bank account.
Documents you will need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Certified ID copy | For every director and incorporator |
| Proposed names | Up to 4, if reserving |
| Registered address | Physical address of the company |
| Director details | Full names, ID numbers, addresses |
What it costs
| Item | Cost / detail |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | R50 |
| Incorporation (no name) | R125 |
| Incorporation (with name) | R175 |
| Typical timeline | 1 – 5 working days |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a name that conflicts with an existing trademark – check the CIPC name search first.
- Listing a residential address you cannot prove – banks will ask for proof at account opening.
- Thinking registration is the finish line – annual returns, beneficial ownership and tax returns start immediately.
A South African example
Naledi registers “Thuto Tutoring (Pty Ltd” via BizPortal on a Monday: name reservation R50, filing R125. By Thursday she has her CoR14.3 certificate, an automatic SARS tax number, and a business bank account opened on Friday with the certificate and her ID.
Related questions
- How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in South Africa?
- What Must I Do After Registering a Company in South Africa?
- Start a Business in South Africa: The Complete 2026 Guide
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 long does it take to register a company in South Africa?
Online registration typically takes 1 to 5 working days once payment and documents are correct. Name reservations can add a day or two if your first choices are rejected.
Can a foreigner register a company in South Africa?
Yes. Foreign nationals can be directors and shareholders of a South African company, though a local registered address is required and banks will ask for additional documentation when opening accounts.
Do I get a tax number automatically with my company?
Yes. CIPC shares new company registrations with SARS and an income tax reference number is issued automatically. VAT, PAYE and other tax types still need separate registration when triggered.
Rather have it done for you? A company registration service handles the whole filing.
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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