Registered vs Business Address in South Africa: When You Must Change It (And How)
Many South African entrepreneurs move from a coworking space to home, then into a proper office or shop. Somewhere in between, the question pops up:
“Do I need to change my company address? And with who – CIPC, SARS, or both?”
If you get this wrong, you risk:
- Missing legal notices from CIPC or SARS
- Penalties and interest because you “ignored” letters you never saw
- Delays with bank KYC, tenders, and supplier contracts
To make these consequences clearer at a glance, here’s a quick visual summary of the main risks:
Need to update your company address fast?
Get your CIPC and SARS address updated through Govchain in ±24–72 hours – and avoid penalties and rejected applications.
1. Registered address vs trading / business address
What is a registered company address in South Africa?
The registered address is the official legal address of the company as recorded at CIPC.
CIPC, SARS, banks and sometimes the courts use this address to send:
- Legal notices
- Compliance letters
- Summons and official documents
Key points about your registered address:
- It must be a physical street address in South Africa (not a PO Box)
- It appears on your CIPC registration (CoR 14.3 / registration certificate)
- It must be kept up to date by lodging a change with CIPC
You can use:
- Your home address
- Your office, shop or warehouse
- A serviced or virtual office address (as long as it’s a real physical location)
If the sheriff arrives with court documents, this is the address they will visit.
What is a trading / business address?
Your trading address (also called business address or place of business) is where you actually operate:
- The shop where you sell
- The office where staff work
- The warehouse where you store inventory
You can have more than one trading address, but usually:
- CIPC records one main business address
- SARS records your physical business address and sometimes multiple sites
Many small businesses use one address as both the registered and trading address. That’s fine. You only run into issues when you move and forget to update the right place.
Quick answer: Can my registered address and trading address be different?
Yes. Your registered address and trading/business address can be different, as long as:
- Your registered address is correctly recorded with CIPC and SARS, and
- Your trading address(es) are correctly recorded with SARS as your physical place(s) of business.
For example:
- Registered address: your home office in Gqeberha
- Trading address: your shop in East London
2. When you must change your company address
CIPC and SARS both expect you to keep your details current. While legislation doesn’t always give an exact number of days, you should update your details as soon as reasonably possible after moving (ideally within 21–30 days). Delays increase the risk of missed notices and non‑compliance.
2.1 Situations where you must update CIPC
You must change your company address with CIPC when:
- You move office or shop
Example: You relocate your PTY from a shared office in Sandton to your own premises in Centurion. - You start working permanently from home
Example: You closed your office and now your registered company address will be your house in Durban. - You change virtual or serviced office providers
Example: You move from one business centre in Cape Town CBD to another. - You switch the registered address from your accountant’s office to your own
- Any change to the physical registered address listed on your current CIPC records
Even if your trading address stays the same, a change of registered address requires a CIPC amendment.
2.2 Situations where you must update SARS
You must change your company address with SARS when:
- Your place of business changes
Example: You move your hair salon to a different mall. - Your registered address changes
SARS also holds a “registered particulars” address, which should match your CIPC registered address. - You open or close branches or warehouses
Especially if you are VAT registered and operate from multiple locations. - You move from office to home office or vice versa
SARS can penalise you if they send letters to your old address and you “ignore” them. SARS guidance on “Maintain Registered Particulars” via eFiling makes it clear that taxpayers are responsible for keeping address details up to date.
2.3 When you don’t have to change your registered address
You don’t always have to change your registered address when:
- You sometimes work from a coffee shop or client site
- You temporarily work from home while renovations happen
- You hot-desk in different coworking spaces while keeping a stable registered address at a virtual office
As long as your official registered address and SARS address are still valid locations where you can receive post and legal documents, you’re fine.
3. Common scenarios: what you actually need to change
Quick answer: What happens if I don’t update my registered address?
If you don’t update your registered address with CIPC and SARS after moving, you risk:
- Missing legal notices and compliance letters
- Penalties and interest from SARS for “non‑response”
- Deregistration or compliance flags at CIPC for untraceable companies
- Delays with banks, tenders and funders due to mismatched information
CIPC and SARS generally assume that documents sent to your last known registered address have been delivered.
Scenario 1: Moving from an office to your home (permanently)
If you close your office and now run the business from home:
You should:
- Change your registered company address with CIPC to your home address (if that’s your new official address)
- Update SARS with your new physical business and postal address
- Update your bank, suppliers and customers if needed
This is very common among small businesses in South Africa and is completely legal.
Scenario 2: Moving from home to a new office or shop
You’re levelling up from a home office to premises in town.
You should:
- Decide if the registered address will now be the office, or if you keep your home as the registered address
- If changing registered address → submit a CIPC address change
- Update SARS with your new trading address (and registered address if it changes)
Tip: Some owners keep their home as the registered address and use the office as the trading address. This keeps one constant official address even if you change premises again later.
Scenario 3: Using a virtual office address
You sign up with a virtual office provider in Johannesburg or Cape Town that gives you:
- A physical business address
- Mail handling
You can:
- Use the virtual office as your registered address with CIPC
- Use it as your business address with SARS
You must:
- Lodge an address change with CIPC if this is different from your current registered address
- Update SARS with the new business/registered address
If you later change virtual office provider, you must update both CIPC and SARS again.
Scenario 4: Same registered address, but your trading address moves
Example: Your accountant’s office stays your registered address, but your warehouse moves from Ekurhuleni to Midrand.
You should:
- Keep your CIPC registered address as is (no change if it stays your accountant’s)
- Only update SARS with your new physical place of business
Scenario 5: You have multiple branches
Example: Head office in Johannesburg, branches in Durban and Cape Town.
You should:
- Keep one registered address with CIPC (usually head office)
- Ensure SARS has:
- Correct registered address
- Correct business/branch addresses
Govchain can help you review what SARS currently has on file and correct it.
4. How to change your company address with CIPC
Changing your registered company address in South Africa is done through a CIPC amendment.
To reduce your risk of missed notices, aim to submit your CIPC address change as soon as you sign a new lease or move, not months later.
4.1 Information you need ready
Prepare:
- Your company registration number
- Current registered address
- New registered address (physical)
- New postal address (can be PO Box)
- Director details (ID numbers, full names)
4.2 High-level steps (DIY via CIPC)
If you do it directly through CIPC, the process generally involves:
- Log in to the CIPC eServices or BizPortal with your customer code
- Choose the option for “Amend Company Details” or similar
- Select address change for your company
- Capture your new registered and postal address
- Confirm and submit the amendment online
- Pay the required CIPC fee
- Download the updated registration documents once processed
CIPC sometimes requests supporting documents or a signed resolution depending on the company type and history. Time frames can vary depending on CIPC workload, but a few working days is common when documents are in order.
4.3 Using Govchain to change your company address
If you don’t want to deal with CIPC’s system, Govchain can:
- Check your current registered address on CIPC
- Prepare the address change submission
- File everything with CIPC on your behalf
- Provide updated company documents showing the new address
You simply:
1. Enter your company details on Govchain’s platform
2. Provide the new address
3. Pay online
4. Receive confirmation and updated documents when the change is complete (typically within ±24–72 business hours, subject to CIPC)
This keeps your records correct for banks, bank FICA, and due diligence checks.
5. How to change your business address with SARS
SARS address changes are done either online via eFiling or at a branch.
SARS expects taxpayers to keep their registered particulars current; using eFiling’s “Maintain Registered Particulars” function is the easiest way to comply.
5.1 Types of addresses SARS keeps
SARS typically records:
- Registered address (legal address for the taxpayer)
- Physical business address
- Postal address (can be PO Box)
All must be accurate.
5.2 Ways to update your address with SARS
Common methods:
- eFiling (recommended)
- Log into SARS eFiling with your company profile
- Go to “Maintain Registered Particulars”
- Request an OTP and update your physical, postal and registered address
- SARS branch visit (by appointment)
- Book via the SARS appointment system
- Bring: director ID, company registration documents, proof of new address
- Through a tax practitioner or accountant
- Your tax practitioner updates your details via their eFiling profile
Govchain’s tax team can manage the SARS side as part of an address change and tax compliance package.
5.3 Documents SARS may ask for
To change your address, SARS can request:
- Proof of residential/business address (rates bill, lease agreement, utility bill)
- Company registration documents (CIPC certificate)
- ID of the representative taxpayer (usually a director)
Make sure the document clearly shows the physical address and is not older than 3 months in most cases.
6. Home office address: is it allowed?
Many South African entrepreneurs start and run fully from home. Legally, this is accepted as long as:
- Your registered address is a physical SA address (your home qualifies)
- You can receive mail and legal documents there
- You comply with local municipal zoning and body corporate rules where applicable
Pros of using your home as your registered address
- No need to change address every time you move offices
- Quick to set up, no extra rental cost
- Simpler for single‑director or family businesses
Cons to think about
- Your home address appears on CIPC records and sometimes on public documents
- Some tender or supplier applications prefer an obvious business premises
Many owners solve this by:
- Keeping their home as the registered address, and
- Using a separate trading address (office/warehouse/virtual office) for public and marketing purposes
Govchain can help structure this correctly in your CIPC and SARS records.
7. Checklist: before and after you move premises
Use this when you change office, shop, warehouse or start working from home.
Before you move
- [ ] Decide what your registered company address will be after the move
- [ ] Confirm that the new address is a physical SA address
- [ ] Arrange proof of address (lease, municipal bill, etc.)
- [ ] Plan to update CIPC and SARS within a few weeks of the move to avoid any gap
After you move
- [ ] Update CIPC if your registered address changes
- [ ] Update SARS (registered, physical business and postal address)
- [ ] Update your bank (FICA requires current address)
- [ ] Update customers and suppliers if invoices or deliveries depend on it
- [ ] Update website, social media, Google Maps if you are a walk‑in business
- [ ] Update business documents that show address (letterheads, contracts, resolutions)
Govchain can handle:
- CIPC amended address filing
- SARS address update via our tax team
- Resolutions and updated corporate records
8. How Govchain fits into your address and compliance admin
Govchain specialises in South African company registration, CIPC changes, tax compliance and business documents. That includes:
- Change company address with CIPC
- Update SARS details (address, banking, contact info)
- Issue resolutions approving the new registered address
- Keep your share registers and company records in order
If you’re:
- Moving from office to home (or vice versa)
- Switching virtual offices
- Preparing for a bank loan, funding application or tender
…Govchain can clean up your CIPC and SARS profile so everything matches.
You avoid:
- Rejected applications due to mismatched addresses
- Delays with bank FICA
- Penalties from SARS for “unreachable” taxpayers
Ready to fix your company address?
Start your CIPC and SARS address update with Govchain and get compliant in ±24–72 business hours, without dealing with CIPC queues or SARS admin.
9. FAQ: registered vs business address in South Africa
9.1 Do I have to change my registered address when I move house?
If your home is your registered company address, then yes, when you move you should:
- Change your registered address with CIPC, and
- Update SARS with the new address.
If your CIPC registered address is somewhere else (e.g. your accountant or virtual office), then moving house does not require a CIPC change.
9.2 Can I use a virtual office as my registered company address in South Africa?
Yes, as long as:
- It’s a real physical address in South Africa
- You can receive mail there
You still need to file an address change with CIPC and update SARS to reflect the new registered and business address.
9.3 What happens if I don’t change my company address?
Risks include:
- CIPC and SARS send notices to your old address
- You miss deadlines for returns, audits or verifications
- SARS can add penalties and interest for non‑response
- Banks, funders and customers see inconsistent details and may flag your company as risky
- In serious cases, CIPC may start deregistration processes if the company appears inactive or unreachable
9.4 Do my CIPC and SARS addresses have to match?
Ideally yes for your registered address. Your physical business address at SARS should accurately show where you trade, but the primary legal registered address should match what is on CIPC.
9.5 Can my registered address and trading address be different?
Yes. Example:
- Registered address: your home in Gqeberha
- Trading address: your shop in East London
You must just:
- Record the registered address correctly at CIPC and SARS
- Record the trading address with SARS
9.6 Can I use a PO Box as my registered company address?
No. Your registered company address must be a physical street address in South Africa.
You can, however, use a PO Box as your postal address at both CIPC and SARS.
9.7 How long does it take to change company address?
- CIPC address amendment: normally a few working days, depending on load and whether documents are in order
- SARS address change via eFiling: often same day if verified successfully
Govchain files these changes electronically and tracks them for you.
If you’re unsure what CIPC or SARS currently shows for your company, start by cleaning that up. Govchain can check your profile, fix your registered company address in South Africa, and update SARS so everything lines up with where you actually do business.