Search companies by name

    South Africa company search by name

    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 search for a company by name in South Africa?

    Search the legal name on CIPC, or use LemReveal's free basic lookup where supported. Treat name matches as candidates until the exact identifier and available identity details agree. Fields such as Registration number, Company name, Type, Status depend on the source; official access and fees vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Enter the legal name

      Start with the legal name on the contract. Try a distinctive part only if the source supports partial-name searches; trading names may require a separate source.

    2. 2

      Narrow ambiguous matches

      Common names return several entities. Use the registered address, incorporation date, or entity type ((Pty) Ltd (Private Company), Ltd (Public Company), Personal Liability Company (Inc.)) to identify the right one.

    3. 3

      Open the candidate record

      Compare the exact identifier and available fields. If identity is uncertain, keep the match unresolved rather than selecting the first result.

    4. 4

      Cross-check against CIPC

      For KYC or contract files, confirm the record 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

    Can I search South Africa companies by name for free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Check CIPC's own search, account and document conditions separately.

    What if I only know part of the company name?

    Check whether the source supports partial names. Try the legal or former name and ask for an exact identifier. Similarity alone is not confirmation.

    What does a South Africa company search return?

    Available fields can include Registration number, Company name, Type, Status. Missing fields are not negative findings; inspect each result's source and retrieval date.

    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 search for a company by name 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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