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CIPC: South Africa's company and intellectual property register

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission keeps South Africa's register of companies and close corporations, along with trade marks, patents and designs. Its records show a company's registration number, status, registered address and directors, and are used to check who is behind a business.

Release calendar

What it publishes

• Company and close corporation registration details, status and directors.
• Annual return filing status, which shows whether a company is in good standing.
• Trade mark, patent and design records.
• Notices on deregistration and compliance.

Key datasets

• CIPC website and e-services
  Entry point for company searches, registrations and filings.
  Updated: Continuous

APIs and downloads

• CIPC search and disclosure services
  Basic searches and paid disclosure certificates for full company details.

When it publishes

The register is updated as filings are processed.

How to use it to check a claim

1. Search by registration number rather than name, since names can be similar.
2. Check the status field: a deregistered company cannot trade.
3. Compare director appointment dates with the dates in the claim.

Common mistakes

• Some details, such as full director histories, may need a paid disclosure certificate.
• Third-party company directories copy CIPC data and can be out of date.

How do I search for a company in South Africa?

Use the CIPC's search services on its website, by company name or registration number.

Links checked 14 October 2026. This page describes what the source publishes and gives no verdict on any claim.