CIPC Name Reservation and Company Name Change
Most name reservations fail for avoidable reasons: a banned character, a missing distinctive word, or a name someone already owns. Check yours below first, then reserve or change the name properly.
By the Mitrend Accounting Services company secretarial team · Checked against CIPC’s own guidance on · Independent guide, not affiliated with CIPC
To reserve a company name, log in to CIPC e-Services or BizPortal and submit up to four proposed names in order of preference. It costs R50, which is non-refundable even if every name is rejected. To change an existing company’s name, reserve the new name first, then file a name change on e-Services with the date of the shareholders’ special resolution. Every active director confirms by OTP. Changing from a registration-number name to a real name is free.
Free tool on this page: Company name checker ↓
CIPC company name rules
- Allowed characters: letters, numbers, spaces and only these symbols:
( ) . -. Names with &, @, apostrophes or other symbols are refused. - Don’t add the suffix. Leave out “(Pty) Ltd”, “NPC” or “Inc”; CIPC adds it when the company is registered.
- Not already registered, and not confusingly similar to an existing company, close corporation, co-operative or a registered trade mark.
- No forbidden or prohibited words. CIPC’s system rejects names containing them outright.
- Must not mislead: for example by implying a link to the state, a regulator or a profession you are not registered with. Words such as “bank”, “insurance” or “university” are regulated and need proof of authorisation.
- Must not be offensive or promote hatred or violence.
Check your proposed names against these rules:
Company name checker
Enter up to four names in order of preference, the same way CIPC asks for them.
This checks CIPC’s format rules and common rejection reasons. It can’t see CIPC’s register. Before paying, search the name on CIPC e-Services or BizPortal, and search trade marks on iponline.cipc.co.za.
Search before you pay
CIPC recommends three searches before you reserve a name:
- Enterprise search on CIPC e-Services or BizPortal: is the name, or something very close, already registered?
- Trade mark search on iponline.cipc.co.za: does someone own the name as a brand? CIPC can approve a name that still infringes a trade mark, and the owner can force you to change it.
- A web search: is it someone’s brand or domain?
The availability check on CIPC is only preliminary. A name is reserved only once CIPC approves it and issues the CoR9.4 confirmation.
How to reserve a company name
- Log in to CIPC e-Services (or BizPortal) → Name Reservation → start a new reservation.
- Type a proposed name and click Check Proposed Name Availability. Fix anything flagged: forbidden or prohibited words, or a name already registered.
- Add up to four names in order of preference. CIPC approves the first acceptable one.
- Submit and pay by card the same day. Unpaid name reservations are deleted at midnight.
- CIPC emails the result, usually within 1 working day. The approved name comes with a CoR9.4 reference number.
| Name service | CIPC fee |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (online, up to four names) | R50 |
| Name reservation (manual CoR9.1) | R75 |
| Extension of a name reservation (CoR9.2) | R30 online / R50 manual |
| Transfer of a reserved name (CoR11.1) | R75 online / R100 manual |
| Defensive name registration (CoR10.1) | R200 online / R250 manual |
| Reprinting a name confirmation after 30 days | R30 |
Watch the platform. CIPC notes that a name approved on one platform may have to be used on the same platform to register the company or change its name. Reserve where you plan to register.
Registering without a name (and adding one later)
A for-profit company can be registered with its registration number as its name (e.g. “2026/123456/07 (Pty) Ltd”). That costs R125 instead of R175 and avoids delays. You can switch to a proper name later, and that change is free. Non-profit companies must have a name.
If you apply for a name during registration and every option is rejected, CIPC still registers the company under its number, and you do a name change afterwards.
How to change a company name
- Reserve the new name (above) and keep the CoR9.4 reference number.
- Pass a special resolution of shareholders approving the change (normally 75% of votes, unless your MOI says otherwise). Keep it on file; CIPC can ask for it.
- Log in to e-Services → Transact → Name Change → New Application.
- Enter the registration number and click Validate. Only active (“In Business”) companies can change their name.
- Confirm the company by entering the ID number of the first listed director.
- Check the cost shown against your available credit and continue.
- Enter the name reservation number and verify it. It must be an approved, unused reservation made under the same customer code.
- Select the date of the special resolution and accept the declaration.
- Every active director receives a unique OTP. Enter each one and verify.
- Done: the name is changed immediately, and the confirmation certificate is emailed. CIPC doesn’t require you to upload documents.
After the change, update your bank, SARS, letterheads, contracts, website and any licences. The registration number stays the same.
Changing a close corporation’s name
Close corporations change their name with a CK2 amendment, processed by CIPC within about 3 working days of tracking. Enquiries go to enqmoiamendments@cipc.co.za.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to reserve a company name with CIPC?
R50 online for up to four proposed names (R75 for a manual application). The fee is non-refundable even if all names are rejected.
How long does CIPC name reservation take?
CIPC’s service standard is 1 working day, provided the application is paid for.
Why was my company name rejected?
Usually because it is already registered or too similar to an existing name, contains forbidden or prohibited words, uses characters other than letters, numbers, spaces and ( ) . -, or is misleading.
How do I change my company name on CIPC?
Reserve the new name, pass a special resolution, then file a Name Change on e-Services with the reservation number and resolution date. All active directors confirm by OTP and the certificate is emailed immediately.
Is it free to change a company name?
Changing from a registration-number name to a proper name is free. Changing from one name to another carries a filing fee, which is shown on e-Services before you pay.
Does a CIPC name protect my brand?
Only partly. A company name stops another company registering the same name, but it is not a trade mark. Register a trade mark to protect the brand itself.
- How to register a company · includes free business structure chooser
- Company search & registration numbers · includes free registration number decoder
- Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)
- CIPC forms & fees directory · includes free searchable cipc forms & fees directory