South Africa Company Extract — How to Get an Official Registry Document

How to get a company extract in South AfricaAn official South Africa company extract is issued by CIPC at https://www.cipc.co.za. Free public search covers most verification needs; a paid certified extract is normally only required for banking, tenders, court filings or notarised transactions.Steps

Confirm the entity first Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.

Decide whether you need a certified copy For internal due diligence, the free public record is usually sufficient. Certified extracts are for banks, tender submissions, courts and notaries.

Request the extract from CIPC Extracts are issued by the register itself at https://www.cipc.co.za. Third parties cannot issue a certified document.

Check the issue date Most counterparties require an extract issued within the last three months, so request it close to when you need to submit it.

Frequently asked questionsDo I need a paid extract to verify a South Africa company?Usually not. The free public record from CIPC confirms legal name, registration number, status and registered address. A certified extract is only needed when a bank, court or tender explicitly requires one.What does a South Africa company extract contain?Typically the legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, entity type and current status — the same core fields visible in the free record, but issued as an official document.Can a third-party site issue an official extract?No. Only CIPC can issue a certified extract for South Africa. Third-party tools help you find and monitor the record, not certify it.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