Registering A Company On BizPortal

Are you looking to start a business in South Africa?

We can help! We have prepared a guide to walk you through the process of how to register a company on BizPortal, the official online portal for businesses in South Africa.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get started on your new business venture. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide, complete with all the information you need to get registered quickly and easily.

Follow our Bizportal company registration guide to register your new company today!

This article can be read from start to finish or feel free to jump to any section that interests you

• What Is BizPortal?
• How is BizPortal Different From CIPC eServices?
• How Much Does It Cost To Register A Company On BizPortal?
• How Long Does It Take To Register a Company With BizPortal?
• What Is Required For BizPortal Company Registration?
• What Is The Process For BizPortal Company Registration?
• What Happens If My Proposed Company Name Is Rejected?
• How Do I Reset My CIPC Customer Profile Password?
• Should I Register My Company For Tax?
• Can I Open A Bank Account on BizPortal?
• How Do I Know/Check If A Company Is Registered?
• Important points to note

What Is BizPortal?

BizPortal is a platform created by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to provide business registration and related services in a paperless, easy-to-use digital format.

How is BizPortal Different From CIPC eServices?

Both BizPortal and eServices are products of CIPC although BizPortal is the better option if you’re registering the company for yourself.

How Much Does It Cost To Register A Company On BizPortal?

Registering a company with a name costs R175. It costs r125 to register a company without a name, in which case the registration number will be regarded as the name.

How Long Does It Take To Register a Company With BizPortal?

After an attached name has been approved, companies are registered immediately. Approval of a name takes approximately 4 hours.

What Is Required For BizPortal Company Registration?

• Your South African ID number. Note: BizPortal is only available to South African ID holders at the moment. If you don’t have a South African ID, see our CIPC guide or go to https://eservices.cipc.co.za to log in.
• Online transactions require a 3D Secure check or credit card.
• Up to four (4) potential business names.
• Type of company (Sole Proprietorship, Private Limited, Non-Profite etc.)
• Strong and stable internet connection
• All directors’ identity documents/cards, as well as marriage certificates, are required for director verification. Examples of possible verification inquiries include:
  • Date the identity document or card was issued
  • Date of marriage, according to the Department of Home Affairs. (if applicable)
  • ID number of the spouse (if applicable)

What Is The Process For BizPortal Company Registration?

Watch this

Alternatively see the step-by-step PDF guide.

What Happens If My Proposed Company Name Is Rejected?

How Do I Reset My CIPC Customer Profile Password?

Type in your South African ID number to reset your password if you have forgotten it. You will receive a one-time pin (OTP) on the cellphone number and email address stored in the CIPC database. Visit the CIPC website to reset your password if your contact details have changed.

Should I Register My Company For Tax?

• The South African Revenue Services (SARS) registers all businesses for tax purposes automatically.
• If you have one employee or more then you are legally obligated to register with the compensation fund and UIF (Directors do not count as employees)
• You may register your firm for free with Compensation Fund. If the company does not have any employees, you are not permitted to register.

Can I Open A Bank Account on BizPortal?

CIPC/BizPortal has partnered with financial institutions to provide a one-stop shopping experience for the following banks:

• First National Bank
• Capitec
• ABSA
• Sasfin
• Standard Bank
• Nedbank

You can choose a bank from a drop-down list after successful company registration or during the registration process, and your information will be transferred to that bank. You will then be contacted by the chosen bank to create a business bank account.

What Certificates Can I Download From BizPortal?

Private Companies / Close Corporations with a revenue of less than R10 million are regarded as Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) and can register for a B-BBEE certificate on this portal for free. The certificate has an automatic one-year expiration date and cannot be extended. A new application must be submitted once the old one has expired.

How Do I Know/Check If A Company Is Registered?

You can check a company’s registration status on the Bizportal website. Note: Before completing any search, you must first login. This is done in accordance with the legislation governing the protection of personal data (POPI Act).

Step 1: Login the BizPortal website using your South African ID number and CIPC password.
Step 2: Select the search button on the top header

Step 3: You’ll be redirected to your BizPortal profile where you can now conduct a search using the company name, company number or directors ID number.

This search will allow you to see if a company exists. It will also display information related to the company’s name, company number, registration date, status (if the company is still operating), as well as the company’s registered and postal address.

Important Points to Note:

• At least one director is required to register a company.
• You have the option of registering a company with or without a name.
• Registering a company without a name costs R125.
• The company’s registration number will be considered as its name if it is registered without a name.
• If you prefer that the company has a name, you can apply for a name reservation for R50.
• One to four proposed company names can be submitted. If one of the proposed names is approved, it will be attached to the company upon registration.
• The company will be registered without a name if none of the four proposed names is approved. You can reserve a name for R50 and then apply for a name change for free.
• The home affairs verification process has to be completed by each director. Random questions will be asked of each director based on their home affairs profile.

*Please note all the above information is best to be discussed with one of our qualified accountants to verify all information is accurate, correct and up to date.

Contact us today if you need any assistance with company registrations