Company Registration in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know

What you need to register a company in South Africa

• A valid South African ID, or a passport if you're a foreign national
• To be 18 years or older
• A physical business address (your home address works if you don't have separate premises)
• At least one company director

How long does company registration take?

Once your documents are submitted correctly, CIPC (the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) typically processes registration within 1–5 working days. Most delays happen because of incomplete or incorrectly formatted paperwork — not the regulator itself.

What you get when your company is registered

• Your CoR14.3 (registration certificate)
• Your Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)
• Appointment of Directors documentation
• A SARS tax number

Do it yourself, or use a service?

You can register directly through the CIPC portal yourself. Many business owners choose a service instead because:

• Small formatting errors on the CIPC portal are a common cause of rejected applications and delays
• A registered TCSP can catch problems before submission, not after
• Bundled services (BOREG, tax compliance, BBBEE) can be handled in the same process instead of separately

Register your company with Maltech-Africa

Maltech-Africa is a Registered Trust & Company Service Provider (TCSP), ID 65232, handling company registration across South Africa and Zimbabwe.

• Basic Company Registration — R1,290 (standard timeline)
• Express Company Registration — R1,250 (faster turnaround)
• Essential Company Registration Package — R2,850 (registration + Beneficial Ownership Declaration + Document Certification, bundled)

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner register a company in South Africa?

Yes. Non-SA citizens can register a company using a valid passport, though additional documentation may be required depending on your circumstances.

What's the difference between a Pty and a CC?

Close Corporations (CCs) can no longer be newly registered in South Africa — a Private Company (Pty) Ltd is now the standard structure for most new businesses.

Do I need a physical office to register?

No — your registered address can be your home address.

Ready to register your company?

Browse our registration and compliance services, or chat with us on WhatsApp and we'll guide you through it.