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: 47
Public companies must have at least three directors. Only public companies may be listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange. Public companies must be audited and must produce audited financial statements which are tabled before shareholders annually. Depending on the size of the public company, the company may also be required to have an Audit Committee and a Social and Ethics Committee.
Restrictions may be imposed on the management and ownership of the company in respect of any of the alterable provisions of the MOI.
A public 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 public 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: 84
A non-profit company is a company incorporated for public benefit or other objective relating to one or more of cultural, social activities, communal or group interest.
The income and property of a non-profit company is not distributed to its incorporators, members, directors, officers or persons relating to any of them and must be used to advance the purpose for which it was created, as set out in its memorandum of incorporation. A non-profit company must have at least three incorporators and three directors and may be registered with or without members. A non-profit company is not required to have members. The members of a non-profit company are persons who participate in the activities of the non-profit company, such as members of a church or a pension fund. Non-profit companies registered without members, may be registered with a standard or a customized Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI). There are three types of non-profit companies that can be registered at CIPC.
All companies must have a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) which sets out the rules agreed to for the management and maintenance of the business. The standard MOI is provided by law and is integrated into the company registration process (click here to preview a standard MOI).
A Non-Profit Company must have a name and cannot register with its registration number with (South Africa) as suffix as its name.
Note: If you wish to receive grants or donor-funding, you are required to register with the Department of Social Development. Non-profit companies registered with the Department of Social Development can apply for funding at the National Lottery Board.
Non-Profit Company without members and with standard MOI: Non-Profit Company without members and with standard MOI may only be registered via BizPortal, at a self-service terminal, or e-Services.
Click here for the Step by Step Guide: Name Reservations.
Click here for the Step by Step Guide: Registration of Non Profit Company (NPC) without members with a Standardised Memorandum of Incorporation (CoR 15.1C Registration).
Non-Profit Company without members and with customised MOI: Non-Profit Company without members and with customised MOI may be registered manually.
When customising the MOI, incorporators may decide to adopt a long-form MOI, which is already set out and allows the business person to select certain preferences, or may adopt their own MOI, with or without certain ring fenced provisions.
Non-Profit Company with members: Non-Profit Company with members may be registered manually.
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 Non profit 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: 15
A defensive name may be registered for a period of two years and may be renewed for a further two years. The applicant must provide proof to the Commission that he/she has a direct and material interest in the protection of the name.
Important:
It must be noted and taken into cognisance that a Defensive name can be transferred to another person or company. It can also be used or utilized to serve as a company name prior to its two year expiry period.
Application for a defensive name registration must be lodged manually.
To register a defensive name, follow these steps:
- To view information on how to register as a customer, click here. If you are already registered as a customer and know your customer code and password, proceed and make payment.
- Deposit R250 into the CIPC bank account. For the bank account details, click here.
Required documents:
- Sign CoR10.1 form;
- Certified copies of the Identity Documents of the applicant
Include evidence of a direct and material interest in the name, e.g.- Full particulars of the period of use of the name
- Particulars of sales and advertisements and labels used and
- A statement that as a result of the use of the name it has become well-known and that the general public will probably assume that all goods or services bearing the name, or all services rendered under that name, derive from the applicant.
Scan and email to
Transfer of a Defensive Name
Important:
Transfer of a defensive name must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the transferee has a direct material interest in the name.
- Details
- Written by: CIPC
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 72
A private company may not offer shares to the public and restrictions are also placed on the transferability of their shares. Private companies must have at least one director and one incorporator. The director and incorporator may be the same person. The word “person” includes a juristic entity. This means that a legal entity or a trust may be an incorporator of a new company. Most private companies are owner-managed and tend to have a smaller number of directors.
All companies must have a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) which sets out the rules agreed to by the shareholders for the management and maintenance of the business. Private companies may be registered with a standard or a customised MOI. The standard MOI is provided by law and is integrated into the company registration process (click here to preview a standard MOI). A customised or non-standard MOI allows shareholders to impose certain conditions or waive certain requirements, such as an audit requirement. Such MOIs must be attached to the applications and may require the assistance of a legally qualified person or someone with company secretarial knowledge
A Private Company with a standard MOI may be registered on-line, at a self-service terminal or through collaborating banks. Click here to view a guide on how to register a private company at the Self-help Service Terminals.
Click here for step by step guide for new company registration via E-Services.
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 private company with standard MOI:
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 / New E-services.
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
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