CIPC Name Reservation Guide South Africa 2026

Reserving the right name for your company is one of the first steps in the CIPC registration process. Unlike some countries where a company name is confirmed only at registration, CIPC allows you to pre-reserve up to four name options, securing the top choice before you complete the full incorporation filing.

This guide explains CIPC's name reservation rules, the online process, what names are prohibited, how long a reservation lasts, and what happens when your chosen name is rejected.

Do You Need to Reserve a Name?

Not always. CIPC offers two paths:

1. Custom name reservation (CoR9.1): You propose up to 4 name options and CIPC reserves the top approved name for 6 months. Costs R175.
2. Registered number as name: CIPC assigns a default name based on the company's registration number (e.g., "2026/123456/07"). This approach allows same-day registration at a lower cost (R125 total) but gives you an impersonal name. You can change it later, but it costs additional fees.

Most businesses reserve a custom name before proceeding to full registration.

Name Reservation Rules - What CIPC Checks

CIPC runs each proposed name through several filters before approving it:

1. Name Availability (Uniqueness)

The name must not be identical or "confusingly similar" to:

• An existing registered company name in the CIPC database
• An existing reserved (not yet registered) name
• A well-known trademark (CIPC cross-references the Trade Marks Register at CIPC)

"Confusingly similar" is interpreted broadly. Small spelling variations (replacing "i" with "y", adding "SA" or "PTY") may not be sufficient to distinguish names. Adding a city suffix ("Acme Plumbing Cape Town") is also not always sufficient.

2. Prohibited Names (Companies Act Section 11)

CIPC will reject names that:

• Falsely suggest association with a government body ("South African Revenue Service Logistics Pty Ltd")
• Imply a regulated profession without authorization ("ABC Attorneys Pty Ltd" if not a law firm)
• Contain offensive, obscene, or inappropriate language
• Are misleading about the nature or activities of the company
• Include the words "bank," "insurance," "trust," or "mutual" without the relevant regulatory authority's approval
• Infringe registered trademarks

3. Reserved Words Requiring Pre-Approval

Certain words require supporting documentation or pre-approval before CIPC will accept them in a company name:

• "State" / "National" / "Government" — requires evidence of government involvement
• "Chartered" — for professional bodies
• "Royal" — special motivations required
• "Medical" / "Health" — for regulated health businesses

Step-by-Step: Reserving a Company Name Online

Step 1: Create a CIPC e-Services Account

Go to www.cipc.co.za → e-Services → Register as a New User. Complete the registration form and verify your email.

Step 2: Use the Name Search Tool First

Before submitting, search for similar names using the CIPC company name checker at www.cipc.co.za (free search). This saves you the R175 fee if an obvious conflict exists.

Step 3: Submit a CoR9.1 Form (Name Reservation)

1. Log in to CIPC e-Services
2. Navigate to: Company Registration → Name Reservation
3. Enter up to 4 proposed name options in priority order
4. Add the company type suffix: "(Pty) Ltd" for private companies, "Ltd" for public companies, "NPC" for non-profit companies
5. Submit and pay R175

Step 4: Wait for CIPC Processing

CIPC typically processes name reservations within 5-10 business days, though backlogs can extend this to 15+ business days. During peak periods (January, July), delays are common.

You will receive a CoR9.4 notification email with the result.

Step 5: Receive Your Reservation Certificate (CoR9.3)

If approved, you receive a CoR9.3 Name Reservation certificate. This certificate is valid for 60 days (not 6 months — CIPC changed this in recent years; confirm current validity period on CIPC website when applying).

You must complete the full company registration within this 60-day window.

What If My Name Is Rejected?

Rejections arrive with a reason code. Common reasons and fixes:

Rejection Reason	What To Do
Similar to existing name	Modify your name more substantially — not just adding "SA" or a city. Consider a different name entirely.
Prohibited word	Remove the flagged word and resubmit
Trademark conflict	Check the trademark register, consider a distinctly different name or engage a trademark attorney
Offensive/inappropriate	The reason will be noted; choose a different name

You can resubmit a new CoR9.1 with revised names — but you will pay another R175. There is no appeal process for name rejections; you must propose new options.

Name Reservation vs Trademark Registration

A CIPC company name reservation does NOT give you trademark rights. Someone could still register a similar trademark and prevent you from using your company's trading name commercially.

If your brand name is central to your business, you should also file a trademark application with the CIPC Trade Marks division (separate from company registration). Trademarks are class-specific and protect your brand in the commercial market.

After Reservation: Completing Company Registration

Once your name is reserved, proceed to the full company registration:

1. Submit CoR14.1 (MOI) — use the standard MOI or a custom MOI
2. Submit CoR14.1A (Notice of Incorporation)
3. Submit director and incorporator details with certified ID copies
4. Pay the incorporation fee (R125 if name already reserved)

Total cost for name reservation + incorporation: approximately R300 (R175 + R125).

Related Guidance

• Blog hub
• CIPC Company Fee Calculator
• CIPC Company Name Checker

Official References

• CIPC - www.cipc.co.za
• Companies Act 71 of 2008 - www.gov.za

Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03. Fees and processing times change. Verify current figures at www.cipc.co.za before applying.