Grassroots innovation journey spotlights new pathways
Creating impact in the innovation ecosystem and reaching disadvantaged communities has been central to the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), helping turn innovative ideas into commercial assets. The IAP is the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) flagship project, launched in partnership with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
Read more: Grassroots innovation journey spotlights new pathways
Young Ideas — South Africa’s Future Gold Standard, CIPC IP Youth Awards 2026
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is proud to announce that they will be hosting the CIPC Intellectual Property (IP) Youth Awards 2026. The Competition is a dynamic platform designed to celebrate bold thinking, fresh innovation, and the next generation of business leaders.
Read more: Young Ideas — South Africa’s Future Gold Standard, CIPC IP Youth Awards 2026
dtic, CIPC AND SPU to host the 6th annual intellectual property and technology commercialisation colloquium
Key stakeholders from government, academia and business will convene in Kimberley, Northern Cape, for a colloquium aimed at strengthening South Africa’s innovation and technology commercialisation ecosystem and unlocking new economic opportunities.
CIPC launches a Case Management System
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Case Management System (CMS), a modern digital platform designed to improve how the public submits and tracks complaints and legal documents.
- Details
- Written by: CIPC
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 38
The domestication of a foreign company may only be done manually. For information on external companies, click here.
A foreign company can only be registered manually.
Domesticate the foreign company
Print and complete a form Cor 17.1
Attach the following: A letter of law of the jurisdiction in which the company is registered to permit such transfer
A copy of the MOI to be registered in South Africa (CoR14.1, CoR14.1 AnnexureA, either standard CoR15.1A or own MOI)
A certified copy of the current registration issued by the jurisdiction in which it is registered at the time of application
A copy of its most recent Annual Financial Statements
A copy of the shareholder’s resolution approving the transfer of the company’s registration to South Africa
These supporting documents must be translated if the original is not in an official South African language. Upload and submit the signed forms and supporting documents to CIPC, Scan and e-mail the completed and signed documents together with supporting information to
The following supporting documents must be included in your e-mail:
Certified identity copy of applicant
Certified identity copy or passport of all incorporators, directors and representative
Power of attorney (if applicable)
An affidavit reflecting the following:
That the majority of its shareholders are resident in the Republic of South Africa
The whole or greater part of its assets and undertaking are within the Republic of South Africa, other than the assets and undertaking of any subsidary that is incorporated outside the Republic of South Africa
Immediately following the transfer of registration the company:
Will satisfy the solvency and liquidity test and
Will no longer be registered in another jurisdiction
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
For enquiry send an email to:
Checklist for registration of a foreign company:
To be able to transact with CIPC, one needs to register as a customer on the e-services website. Once registered, a virtual account is created in the customer name. Registering as a customer is a once-off process. Keep your customer code and password safe for use when transacting with us.
Click here to register as a customer.
You may also follow a step-by-step guide.
Funds may be deposited into the CIPC bank account. Customers are urged to only deposit funds that are required for the transaction. Bulk deposits are discouraged. A customer code must be used as a reference for funds to be allocated accordingly.
New e-service transaction accept card payments only
| Service | Fee |
| Name reservation | R50 |
| Private company with standard MOI; Non-profit company without members and with standard MOI or Co-operative |
R125 |
| Private company with customised MOI; Personal liability company; Public company; State owned company; Non-profit company without member and with customised MOI or Non-profit company without member and with customised MOI | R425 |
| External company | R400 |
| Domestication of a foreign company | R100 |
Bank details
| Bank name |
ABSA |
| Account Type: | Transmission Account |
| Account Name: | CIPC |
| Account Number: | 4055 68 1017 |
| Branch Name: | Van der Walt Street |
| Payment Reference: | CUSTOMER CODE |
For more information about name reservations click here. Any for-profit company may be registered with or without a company name. If a reserved name is not included in the initial application, the company will be registered with its enterprise number. A name may be added at a later stage through a company name change (amendment of MOI). A company name change requires an approved name reservation and a special resolution to effect a change to the Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).
Available Platforms for name reservations:
- New E-services – www.cipc.co.za / Online Transacting / New E-services
- BizPortal – www.bizportal.gov.za
- CIPC Mobile App
- Self Service Terminal
- Banks (as part of company registration process)
- Associated name reservations or names requiring supporting documentation
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - e-Services – www.cipc.co.za / Online Transacting / e-Services
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
Click here to log an enquiry (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
Name transfer
An approved name may be transferred to another customer, provided that it has not yet been assigned to an existing entity and it is still valid. Only the owner of the customer code that was used to initially reserve the name can transfer such name to another customer.
Click here to apply for name reservation and/or to transfer the ownership of the reserved name.
Defensive name
To apply for a defensive name click here
Forms needed
Compulsory forms for all manually registered companies, except foreign companies
Additional forms for Non-Profit Company (NPC)
- CoR15.1C (compulsory for NPC without members and with standard MOI)
- CoR15.1D or draft your own MOI (not required if CoR15.1C is used)
- CoR15.1E (not required if CoR15.1C or CoR15.1D is used)
Compulsory forms for foreign company
Compulsory forms for domestication of foreign company
Additional compulsory forms for public company and state-owned company
- CoR14.1 Annexure D
- CoR15.1B or draft your own MOI
Additional compulsory forms for personal liability company
- CoR15.1B or draft your own MOI
Optional forms for all manually registered companies
- CoR14.1C (optional for all companies)
- CoR14.1 Annexure D (optional for non-profit company, private company or personal liability company)
Submit the required documents
The following supporting documents must be included in your e-mail:
- Confirmation notice of name reservation – CoR9.4 (if applicable)
- All forms required
- Certified identity copy of applicant
- Certified identity copy of all incorporators and directors
- Power of attorney (if applicable)
NB: Lodgement of a passport copy is only accepted as proof of identity for non-residents of South Africa. For South African residents a green bar-coded/ smart ID copy must be lodged.
E-mail:
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
Click here to log an enquiry (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
- Details
- Written by: CIPC
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 31
Dear Customers,
Kindly note that the Enquiry system (www.enquiries.cipc.co.za ) is currently not available. Customers are advised to use the following email addresses to send enquiries to a specific unit or department. The customer code as well as enterprise number and tracking number (if applicable) must be used as reference to ensure that the staff member/s will be able to assist.
IMPORTANT: Do not send any enquiries to personal mailboxes but use the relevant email address listed below. Please do not send the same enquiry several times to the same mailbox, as it causes a blockage in the system. This results in a longer time to finalise each query. Your mail will be attended to as soon as possible.
Below table is the first level for enquiries. If not answered within 10 business days, escalate as per the CIPC escalation procedure – https://www.cipc.co.za/?page_id=3725
All customers are urged to verify their customer profiles as soon as possible. All customers must be verified before any of their transactions will be processed. This includes applications e-mailed for processing as well as refund requests.
| CUSTOMER VERIFICATION | |
| Customer verification process |
This mailbox is solely for customer verification enquiries and other enquiries routed to this mailbox will not be responded to |
| Customer code update (If email address on customer code is outdated) |
Ensure that the required documents are attached.
|
| COMPANIES AND CLOSE CORPORATIONS | |
| Name reservation | |
| Company registrations – manual, conversions, external company | |
| Company registrations – electronic | |
| Foreigner Assurance | |
| CoR89 | |
| Company amendments – conversion from one type of company to another, main business changes, other MOI changes |
|
| Company and close corporation Financial Year End changes, Address changes, Location of company records, company name changes |
|
| Domain names and BEE enquiries | |
| Company/CC De-registration | |
| Re-instatements | |
| Annual returns | |
| Liquidations | |
| BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP | |
| Beneficial Ownership | |
| Court orders | |
| Companies Act Enquiries | |
| DISCLOSURES | |
| Request for copies, certified copies | |
| DATA MANAGEMENT | |
| Data Sales | |
| Electronic Disclosure (R30) | |
| DIRECTORS, MEMBERS AND PRACTITIONERS | |
| Director Amendments (CoR39) | |
| CC Member Changes (CK2) | |
| Company Secretaries (CoR44) | |
| Auditor Changes (CoR44) | |
| Business Rescue |
|
| FINANCE | |
| Allocation of funds, Refunds and card payments |
Ensure that required documents are attached. Allocation of funds: Proof of payment and certified ID copy Refunds: Proof of payment; certified ID copy and bank letter |
| CO-OPERATIVES | |
| Co-operative registrations | |
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT | |
| Cor135.1 Complaints (Company investigations) | |
| Compliance checklist | |
| CORPORATE DISCLOSURE AND COMPLIANCE REGULATION UNIT | |
| Independent Reviews | |
| Reportable irregularities |
|
| XBRL & Annual Financial Statements | |
| Prospectuses |
|
| PATENTS AND DESIGNS | |
| Patents | |
| Patents – New Applications | |
| Patents – Acceptance | |
| Patents – Renewals | |
| Patents – Maintenance | |
| Designs | |
| E-Journal | |
| Patent Certificate | |
| IP Online | |
| TRADE MARKS | |
| Trade mark enquiries | See service standards as published on website: https://www.cipc.co.za/?page_id=3725 |
CIPC ENQUIRIES SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE – ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES
| IP Enforcement | |
| Copyright |
|
- Details
- Written by: CIPC
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 35
A foreign company is a company incorporated outside of South Africa, irrespective of whether it is a profit or non-profit company or carrying out business in South Africa. A foreign company is prohibited from offering securities to the South African public unless it follows the specific provisions of the Companies Act, 2008, relating to offers to the public.
A foreign company is required to register as an “external company” with CIPC if it conducts or intends to conduct business in South Africa. Section 23 of the Companies Act, 2008, lists a series of activities which will be regarded as conducting business.
This list includes the following:
- Holding a meeting or meetings of shareholders or board of the foreign company, or otherwise conducting the internal affairs of the company;
- Establishing or maintaining any bank or other financial account;
- Establishing or maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange or registration of the foreign company’s own securities;
- Creating or acquiring any debts, mortgages, or security interests in any property;
- Acquiring any interest in intellectual property; and
- Entering into contracts of employment.
A foreign company can only be registered electronically. Click here to register.
Click here for the CIPC service standards.
For enquiries, click here (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
- Details
- Written by: CIPC
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 48
A state-owned company is either a company defined as a “state-owned enterprise” in the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA) or a company owned by a municipality. The majority of the provisions of a public company will apply to state-owned companies as well.
At state-owned company can only be registered via e-mail.
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
For enquiry send an email to:
Checklist for registration of a state-owned company:
To be able to transact with CIPC, one needs to register as a customer on the e-services website. Once registered, a virtual account is created in the customer name. Registering as a customer is a once-off process. Keep your customer code and password safe for use when transacting with us.
Click here to register as a customer.
You may also follow a step-by-step guide.
Funds may be deposited into the CIPC bank account. Customers are urged to only deposit funds that are required for the transaction. Bulk deposits are discouraged. A customer code must be used as a reference for funds to be allocated accordingly.
New e-service transaction accept card payments only
| Service | Fee |
| Name reservation | R50 |
| Private company with standard MOI; Non-profit company without members and with standard MOI or Co-operative |
R125 |
| Private company with customised MOI; Personal liability company; Public company; State owned company; Non-profit company without member and with customised MOI or Non-profit company without member and with customised MOI | R425 |
| External company | R400 |
| Domestication of a foreign company | R100 |
Bank details
| Bank name |
ABSA |
| Account Type: | Transmission Account |
| Account Name: | CIPC |
| Account Number: | 4055 68 1017 |
| Branch Name: | Van der Walt Street |
| Payment Reference: | CUSTOMER CODE |
For more information about name reservations click here. Any for-profit company may be registered with or without a company name. If a reserved name is not included in the initial application, the company will be registered with its enterprise number. A name may be added at a later stage through a company name change (amendment of MOI). A company name change requires an approved name reservation and a special resolution to effect a change to the Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).
Available Platforms for name reservations:
- New E-services – www.cipc.co.za / Online Transacting / New E-services
- BizPortal – www.bizportal.gov.za
- CIPC Mobile App
- Self Service Terminal
- Banks (as part of company registration process)
- Associated name reservations or names requiring supporting documentation
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - e-Services – www.cipc.co.za / Online Transacting / e-Services
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
Click here to log an enquiry (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
Name transfer
An approved name may be transferred to another customer, provided that it has not yet been assigned to an existing entity and it is still valid. Only the owner of the customer code that was used to initially reserve the name can transfer such name to another customer.
Click here to apply for name reservation and/or to transfer the ownership of the reserved name.
Defensive name
To apply for a defensive name click here
Forms needed
Compulsory forms for all manually registered companies, except foreign companies
Additional forms for Non-Profit Company (NPC)
- CoR15.1C (compulsory for NPC without members and with standard MOI)
- CoR15.1D or draft your own MOI (not required if CoR15.1C is used)
- CoR15.1E (not required if CoR15.1C or CoR15.1D is used)
Compulsory forms for foreign company
Compulsory forms for domestication of foreign company
Additional compulsory forms for public company and state-owned company
- CoR14.1 Annexure D
- CoR15.1B or draft your own MOI
Additional compulsory forms for personal liability company
- CoR15.1B or draft your own MOI
Optional forms for all manually registered companies
- CoR14.1C (optional for all companies)
- CoR14.1 Annexure D (optional for non-profit company, private company or personal liability company)
Submit the required documents
The following supporting documents must be included in your e-mail:
- Confirmation notice of name reservation – CoR9.4 (if applicable)
- All forms required
- Certified identity copy of applicant
- Certified identity copy of all incorporators and directors
- Power of attorney (if applicable)
NB: Lodgement of a passport copy is only accepted as proof of identity for non-residents of South Africa. For South African residents a green bar-coded/ smart ID copy must be lodged.
E-mail:
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
Click here to log an enquiry (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
Useful Resources
Legal
Other
Need Help
Connect With Us
Download our App
