Increase Authorised Shares

Your authorised shares are the most shares your company may issue. Once they’re used up, the company can’t issue new shares until CIPC records an increase. Govchain files the increase with CIPC and updates your share register.
CostR750
Timeframe5 working days
ForSouth African companies that need to issue more shares than their MOI allows
Get startedView all services

When you need more authorised shares

Your MOI caps how many shares the company may issue. You raise the cap when the shares you plan to issue would take you past it.

  • You’re bringing in an investor or a new co-founder
  • You want to set shares aside for employees
  • Your share register shows every authorised share already issued
An increase doesn’t give anyone shares. It raises the cap. You issue the new shares afterwards and record them in your share register.

What’s included

  • Filing the CoR15.2 notice with CIPC
  • The R250 CIPC filing fee
  • Mandate signed online, nothing to print or scan
  • Your share register updated with the new total
  • CIPC’s confirmation saved to your Govchain documents

Pricing

Authorised share increase

The CIPC filing, the R250 CIPC fee, and your updated share register. No fees on top.

R750

Turnaround time

Most increases are done within 5 working days of signing. CIPC records the change once your director or company secretary gives us the one-time PIN it sends them.

How an authorised share increase works

You sign online. We file with CIPC and update your share register.

Step 1 icon
Step 1

Credit card, EFT, or cash deposit at any ATM.

Step 2 icon
Step 2

Enter the number of new shares and sign the mandate online. Nothing to upload.

Step 3 icon
Step 3

We file the CoR15.2 notice. CIPC sends a director or company secretary a one-time PIN, and we ask you for it.

Step 4 icon
Step 4

We record the new total and add CIPC’s confirmation to your documents.

Increase my authorised shares

What you’ll need

Everything happens online. Nothing to upload.

  • The number of shares you want to add
  • A resolution approving the increase (special resolution of shareholders, or board resolution)
  • A director or company secretary who can receive a one-time PIN from CIPC
  • Your company in business at CIPC

Used by companies across South Africa

Over 124 000 small business owners use Govchain. More than 59,000 CIPC filings have been handled through the platform.

Increase my authorised shares
Google Logo
4.9 · 2 409+ reviews
Facebook Logo
98% recommend · 445+ reviews

Common questions about Increase Authorised Shares

What it is, whether you need it, and how the process works.

What are authorised shares?
Authorised shares are the most shares your company may issue, as set in its Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI). Nobody owns them until the company issues them to a shareholder.
What’s the difference between authorised and issued shares?
Authorised shares are the cap. Issued shares are the ones shareholders actually hold. A company with 10,000 authorised shares might have issued only 1,000.
How much does it cost to increase authorised shares?
R750 once-off through Govchain. That includes CIPC’s R250 filing fee.
How long does it take?
Around 5 working days after you sign. CIPC records the change once your director or company secretary gives us the one-time PIN it sends them.
Do I need a resolution?
Yes. Either your shareholders pass a special resolution (at least 75% of the voting rights exercised, unless your MOI sets a different percentage), or your board passes a resolution if your MOI doesn’t stop it. CIPC asks for the date but doesn’t need a copy. Keep one with your company records.
What is the one-time PIN?
CIPC sends a PIN to one of your directors or your company secretary, at the contact details CIPC holds, before it accepts the change. It confirms the company agrees to the filing. We’ll contact you to get it.
Does an increase give anyone new shares?
No. It only raises the cap. Issue the new shares to shareholders afterwards and record them in your share register.
Does my registration number or MOI change?
Your registration number stays the same. The increase amends your MOI. It takes effect when CIPC endorses the CoR15.2 notice, usually straight after the one-time PIN is entered and the fee is paid.
Can any company increase its authorised shares?
Only a company that’s in business at CIPC. If yours is being deregistered, or CIPC has blocked it for a missing beneficial ownership filing, that needs fixing first. We’ll tell you if yours does.
What if my company has par value shares or more than one class of shares?
Companies registered on or after 1 May 2011 have shares with no par value, and most have one class of ordinary shares. This service increases those. Older companies may have par value shares, which CIPC won’t increase until they’re converted. If yours has par value shares or more than one class, contact us before you buy.

Related terms and definitions

Plain-language definitions of the forms, numbers, and acronyms that come up when registering and running a increase authorised shares.

Increase your authorised shares

File the increase with CIPC and update your share register. R750, CIPC fee included.

  • Signed online
  • R750, CIPC fee included
  • Share register updated
Get started

Last reviewed: 17 September 2026. Govchain reviews this page against current CIPC and SARS rules every quarter.