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Register a Pty Ltd in South Africa for R950

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75 000+
Companies registered: 59 000+
CIPC annual returns filed: R13bn+
Turnover filed with CIPC

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What it means to register a company in South Africa

Most people call it registering a business. The legal term is incorporating a company, and in South Africa that means putting a Private Company, the Pty Ltd, onto the CIPC register. CIPC, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, is the national registry every company sits on.

Once your company is registered it exists in law as its own person. It can open a bank account, sign contracts, employ staff and pay tax in its own name instead of yours. That separation is the reason most people register. As a sole proprietor, you and the business are one legal entity, so a debt the business runs up is your debt. A Pty Ltd draws a line between the company’s money and your own.

Registration produces three core documents: a registration number, in the format 2026/123456/07; the CoR 14.3 registration certificate, which is proof the company exists; and the Memorandum of Incorporation, the MOI, which sets out how the company is run. A Govchain registration also gets you a SARS income tax number, share certificates for the founding shareholders, and a B-BBEE affidavit.

New businesses register as a Pty Ltd. The Close Corporation, the CC, was the older route, but CIPC stopped registering new CCs in 2011 when the Companies Act 71 of 2008 took effect. Existing CCs still trade as normal. You just cannot start a new one.

How to register a company

All you need is your ID document; no paperwork required.

Step 1

Complete the online application in a few minutes. You enter the company name, the director and shareholder details, and a registered address. No forms to print.

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Step 2

Pay the once-off fee by card, EFT, or a cash deposit at any ATM. One fee covers the CIPC charge, name reservation, tax number, share certificates and B-BBEE affidavit.

Step 3

Upload a certified copy of your ID, or a passport for foreign directors. The copy must have been certified within the last three months.

Step 4

Receive your documents by email, usually within a week: the CIPC registration certificate, your registration number, tax number and share certificates.

What it costs to register a company

You’ll see “register a company for free” all over the internet. It isn’t quite true. CIPC charges a fee to register a company, and that fee applies no matter who files it. What can be free is the labour, if you handle every step yourself.

CIPC’s own charge is R175: R50 to reserve the name, R125 to register the company against it. The registration certificate is only the first piece, though. Before the company can trade properly you also want a SARS income tax number, share certificates for the shareholders, and in most cases a B-BBEE affidavit for the Exempted Micro Enterprise exemption. Filed separately, that is three more processes across two government departments.

Govchain’s fee is R950, once off. It covers the R175 CIPC charge and bundles everything else into one application. Here is the same registration done two ways:

Line item	Register it yourself	With Govchain
Name reservation	R50, on CIPC eServices	Included
Registration + CoR 14.3 certificate	R125, filed once the name is approved	Included
SARS income tax number	Free, separate SARS registration	Included
Share certificates	You draft them yourself	Included
B-BBEE EME affidavit	Free at a Commissioner of Oaths	Included
You pay	R175 to CIPC, plus your time	R950, once off

The fee cannot speed up CIPC itself. A week is typical, but processing slows when CIPC is busy, and a rejected name resets the clock. Filing it correctly the first time is what avoids most of the delay.

Simple pricing for new businesses

Get everything you need to start an official company—all at a simple, straightforward price.

New Company Registration Package

Includes everything you need to start an official company.

R950

Once-off Fee - Completed in 1 week

What’s included

Reserved company name
Company registration certificate (COR14.3)
Income tax registration number
CIPC filing fees (R175 fee included)
Free B-BBEE affidavit
Share certificates for all shareholders
Business website
Business banking account (optional)
Completed in 1 week

Why Govchain?

Starting a company can be complicated. We built Govchain to make this easy.

Fast and easy: It’s super simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Get it done right: We'll make sure your new company is setup correctly.
Simplify admin: We’ll help you do paperwork safely and keep everything organized.
Stay compliant: 100% of our effort is focused on keeping your business healthy.
Officially registered: Company information is automatically filed and kept up to date with government
Your information is secure: Your personal data is kept secure via 256-bit SSL.

Here’s why small business owners Govchain

Govchain has helped over 124,000 small business owners in South Africa simplify starting their businesses and staying compliant.

4.9 · 2 349+ reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about registering a company in South Africa.

How long does it take to register a company in South Africa?

With Govchain, your CIPC certificate is typically emailed to you within one week. Direct CIPC applications can take longer if any supporting documents need to be redone.

What documents do I need to register a company?

A certified copy of your South African ID. Foreign directors can use a passport. Govchain handles the rest of the paperwork with CIPC and SARS for you.

Can a foreigner register a company in South Africa?

Yes. A foreigner can be a director and shareholder of a South African Pty Ltd. You just need a valid passport. You do not need a South African address or work visa to be a director.

Do I need to register for tax separately?

Your company is automatically registered for income tax with SARS during the CIPC registration. PAYE, UIF, SDL and VAT are separate registrations you do later, when you hire employees or cross the compulsory VAT threshold of R2.3 million in turnover over a rolling 12 months.

What happens after my company is registered?

You receive your CIPC certificate, tax number and share certificates by email. From there you can open a business bank account, register for PAYE if you hire staff, and file annual returns with CIPC each year. Govchain handles the ongoing compliance for you.

How many directors do I need to register a Pty Ltd?

A South African Pty Ltd requires at least one director. The director can also be the sole shareholder. There is no upper limit, and directors don’t have to be South African citizens or residents.

Can I register a company with a virtual address?

Yes. CIPC accepts any physical address in South Africa as a registered office address. Virtual office services and co-working spaces are commonly used. You just need to be able to receive official mail there.

What is the difference between a name reservation and a registered company?

A name reservation holds a company name with CIPC for six months, but it doesn’t create a company. Registration is the second step where CIPC issues a registration number and the CoR 14.3 certificate. Govchain bundles both into the R950 fee.

Do I need to share a percentage of my company with anyone?

No. You can register a Pty Ltd as the 100% shareholder. Share allocations are up to you. The standard Govchain registration issues 1,000 ordinary shares to the founding director, which can be split or transferred later if you take on investors or co-founders.

What happens if I don’t file annual returns?

CIPC charges a late-filing penalty starting at R150 and escalating with company size. Two missed annual returns and CIPC initiates deregistration. A deregistered company loses its legal status, can’t trade or open bank accounts, and SARS can pursue directors personally for outstanding tax. See CIPC Annual Returns.

Is the B-BBEE affidavit included?

Yes. The R950 Govchain registration includes a free B-BBEE affidavit valid for 12 months. It certifies your company as an Exempted Micro Enterprise, or EME. Any company with an annual turnover under R10 million qualifies automatically, and EME status gives you a Level 1, 2 or 4 B-BBEE rating depending on ownership demographics.

Can I change my company name later?

Yes, through a CIPC name-change application. The new name must be available (run a name search first) and the change costs a CIPC fee plus the name reservation. See Company Name Change.

Do I need a business plan to register a company?

Not for registration. CIPC doesn’t ask for a business plan. You only need one if you’re raising funding or applying for government grants. Govchain has a free business plan generator if you need to put one together.

Related terms and definitions

Plain-language definitions of the forms, certificates, and acronyms you’ll come across when registering and running a South African company.

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Last reviewed: 12 May 2026. Govchain reviews this page against current CIPC and SARS rules every quarter.