Name Reservation Certificate
What is a name reservation certificate?
A name reservation certificate is an official document issued by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) confirming that your proposed company name has been approved and reserved. The document includes a reservation number and the approved name, and it gives you the exclusive right to register a company under that name for 6 months.
The name reservation certificate is also known as COR 9.4, and it’s a key step in securing your brand identity before registering your company.
Why do I need a name reservation certificate?
If you want your company to have a specific name, instead of being registered under a generic number, you must apply for a name reservation and receive the certificate before completing your company registration.
The certificate proves that:
- Your name has been checked and approved by the CIPC
- The name is held in your favour for 6 months
- No one else can register under the same or a confusingly similar name during that time
Without a valid name reservation certificate, your company will be registered using a numeric name (like 2025/123456/07), which you can update later by applying for a name change.
How do I get or download my name reservation certificate?
You can apply for a name reservation through your CIPC eServices or via a trusted service provider like Govchain. The steps include:
- Submitting up to four name options
- Waiting for CIPC approval (usually 1–2 working days)
- Receiving your COR 9.4 certificate via email or through your CIPC profile
If you applied through Govchain, the certificate will be sent to you automatically once approved. If you used the CIPC portal directly, you can download the certificate by logging into your CIPC account, navigating to "Name Reservations", and selecting the relevant reservation number.
Is your company name available?
Govchain offers a free Company Name Search tool to help you find and reserve the perfect name for your business.