Look up a company by number

    CIPC number search (South Africa)

    Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.

    Search Company Records in South Africa

    3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamLast verified June 2026Primary source: CIPC

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in South Africa?

    Enter the CIPC to look up a South Africa company directly on CIPC. Unlike a name search, an CIPC returns exactly one entity, which is why it is the identifier to use for KYC, invoicing and contract checks.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the CIPC on the paperwork

      The CIPC normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the CIPC

      Enter the number exactly as printed. Punctuation and spacing vary between documents — strip them if the search returns nothing.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at CIPC

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.cipc.co.za.

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

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a CIPC in South Africa?

    It is the identifier CIPC assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a CIPC lookup free?

    Yes. Looking up a company by CIPC on CIPC is free and requires no account.

    What if the CIPC returns no result?

    Re-enter it without spaces or punctuation first. If it still returns nothing, the number may be mistyped, belong to a different country's register, or not exist — ask the counterparty to confirm it in writing.

    Should I use the CIPC or the company name?

    The CIPC. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    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 look up a company by its registration number 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.

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