Look up a company by number

    CIPC number search (South Africa)

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

    Search Company Records in South Africa

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

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

    Use the exact CIPC with its issuing jurisdiction or register on CIPC. Compare the returned legal name and identifier. A valid-looking number does not guarantee a result: coverage, formatting, access and source availability affect the lookup.

    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

      Preserve leading zeros, letters, court and jurisdiction information. Follow the source's documented format rather than removing meaningful parts to force a match.

    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

    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

    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?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Check CIPC's official access rules for the record or document required.

    What if the CIPC returns no result?

    Check the format, issuing jurisdiction, coverage and source availability. Preserve meaningful prefixes and leading zeros. An unavailable source is not a confirmed absence; ask the counterparty to clarify the identifier.

    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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