Check whether a company is active

    Check if a South Africa company is active

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in South Africa

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: CIPC

    How do I check whether a company is still active in South Africa?

    Identify the exact company in CIPC, then record its status, source and retrieval date. Active registration does not prove current trading or financial health. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution; interpret each status using the official register's terminology.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the company

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

    2. 2

      Read the status field

      Preserve the exact status wording and its effective date where supplied. Consult the official explanation; a non-active label is not by itself a fraud verdict or a complete legal opinion.

    3. 3

      Check the available filing dates

      Distinguish the document date, status effective date and retrieval date. Filing schedules vary by entity and jurisdiction, so a gap is a question to investigate rather than proof of non-compliance.

    4. 4

      Confirm at the source

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

      https://www.cipc.co.za
    Open CIPCAll South Africa records

    South Africa: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use CIPC for company registration information. Identify the official company record before interpreting a trading name, and follow the portal's current access or document-request process where further particulars are required.
    Confirm the entity
    Keep the full company registration number, including its separators and suffix, with the legal name. A company number and a tax reference are different identifiers.

    Check current access and document options on the official CIPC site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the South Africa registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    How 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?

    These labels generally indicate a registration has ended or been removed. Check the source's explanation and any subsequent reinstatement or successor filings. Contract validity and legal consequences require separate advice; they cannot be decided from this field alone.

    Is checking company status in South Africa free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free. Check CIPC's current access terms for status information or official documents; fees and account requirements vary.

    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.

    People also ask about check whether a company is still active in South Africa

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the South Africa company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the CIPC are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official South Africa business registry?

    The CIPC is the official public register of companies incorporated in South Africa. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.cipc.co.za.

    Related guides and tools

    More South Africa guides

    South Africa data