Check if a South Africa Company Is Active

Check if a South Africa company is activeSearch the company by name or registration number and read its status field. On CIPC, an "active" or "registered" status means the entity is currently on the register; "dissolved", "struck off" or "liquidation" means it is not trading legally.Steps

Find the company Search by name or registration number to open the correct record.

Read the status field The status is the register's own verdict on whether the entity currently exists. Treat anything other than active/registered as a red flag before contracting.

Check the last filing date An entity can be nominally active but years behind on filings. A long gap since the last filing is a warning sign even when the status reads active.

Confirm at the source Status changes propagate from CIPC at https://www.cipc.co.za. For a decision with money attached, confirm there.

Frequently asked questionsHow do I know if a South Africa company is still trading?The register's status field is the authoritative answer. An active/registered status on CIPC means the entity is currently on the register. It does not by itself prove the business is operating, so also check the most recent filing date.What does "dissolved" or "struck off" mean?The entity has been removed from the register and can no longer legally trade or enter into contracts. Any invoice or agreement issued under that name after removal should be treated as invalid.Is checking company status in South Africa free?Yes — status is part of the free public record on CIPC. No account is needed.What is a (Pty) Ltd?Pty Ltd (Proprietary Limited) is South Africa's private company, equivalent to a Ltd. It restricts the transfer of shares and limits the number of shareholders to 50. There's no minimum capital requirement. It's the most common company type in South Africa.Source: CIPCLast verified: 2026-06-01