South Africa: CIPC company search, disclosure fees and beneficial ownership
- Registry
- Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) 1
- Electronic disclosure certificate
- R30 1
- Inspection of a company file
- R100 1
How to search company records
The CIPC page titled Search our registry has a Search company records option. Its Search Now button points to BizPortal at bizportal.gov.za and to CIPC eServices at eservices.cipc.co.za 1. The CIPC home page lists Disclosure Certificates among its eServices and links to an enquiries site at enquiries.cipc.co.za 2.
The registry page does not say what a basic search returns or whether it is free 1. Its fee note on data extracts says basic company information counts as one record and each director or auditor counts as one record 1.
Disclosure fees
CIPC publishes a disclosure fees table with separate amounts for close corporations and companies 1.
| Service | Close corporation | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic disclosure certificate 1 | R30 1 | R30 1 |
| Personal inspection of a company file by the applicant 1 | R5 1 | R100 1 |
| Inspection of a company file on written request, up to 10 photocopies 1 | R10 1 | R100 1 |
| Certifying a copy of a document on file 1 | R5 1 | R20 1 |
| Certificate relating to company information 1 | R20 1 | R50 1 |
| Affidavit relating to company information 1 | R20 1 | R50 1 |
| Photocopy of a document, per copy 1 | R0.50 1 | R1.50 1 |
| Electronic data extracts and reports 1 | R10 plus R0.04 per record 1 | No company fee listed 1 |
Beneficial ownership law
The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act 22 of 2022 was assented to on 22 December 2022 and published in Government Gazette 47815 on 29 December 2022 4. Some sections began on 31 December 2022 and others on 1 April 2023 4. National Treasury said on 6 January 2023 that most of the amendments to the trust and companies laws would begin on 1 April 2023 5.
Treasury said the Act amends the Companies Act, 2008 to bring transparency to the beneficial ownership of corporate vehicles such as trusts and companies 5. The government summary of the Act lists these changes to the Companies Act 3.
- New definitions of affected company and beneficial owner 3.
- A company must keep a record of the natural persons who own or control it, and record changes within set timelines 3.
- The company must file that record with the Commission 3.
- People convicted of money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing offences, or subject to a UN Security Council resolution, may not register as company directors 3.
Enquiries about beneficial ownership
The CIPC registry page says its annual returns enquiry process does not include beneficial ownership, financial accountability supplement or audited financial statement enquiries. Those go to other CIPC units 1.
Common questions
How much is a CIPC disclosure certificate?
CIPC lists an electronic disclosure certificate at R30 for both companies and close corporations 1.
Where do I search a company in South Africa?
The CIPC registry page sends company record searches to BizPortal and CIPC eServices 1.
Can I inspect a company file at CIPC?
Yes. CIPC lists personal inspection of a company file at R100 for a company and R5 for a close corporation 1.
When did beneficial ownership filing start in South Africa?
Act 22 of 2022 requires companies to file beneficial ownership records with CIPC. Treasury said most Companies Act changes began on 1 April 2023 3,5.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- CIPC: Search our registry, with disclosure fees (read 20 October 2026)
- CIPC: home page (read 20 October 2026)
- South African Government: General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act 22 of 2022, summary page
- Law Library: General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act, 2022, history and commencement (29 December 2022)
- National Treasury: Enactment of key anti-money laundering and combating of terror financing laws (6 January 2023)
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