Company Status Check
A company status check covers everyday business matters in South Africa, from confirming a company's registration to checking a trademark application or a non-profit's registration. This guide covers the general ideas behind each.
Check a company's registration status on CIPC's official database before signing contracts or making payments — it confirms the business is legitimate and in good standing.
Company registration status
A newly registered company typically moves through stages such as "name reservation," "under registration," and "registered." Once registered, a company's status can also show as "active," "deregistered," or "in business rescue," depending on its current standing. This is usually checked through the official companies registrar.
Trademarks
A trademark application generally moves through stages including "filed," "under examination," "accepted," and "registered," with an opportunity for objections along the way. Trademark status is usually checked through the relevant intellectual property office.
Non-profit organisations
A non-profit organisation's registration status can show as "pending," "registered," or "deregistered," depending on whether it has met its reporting and compliance requirements. This is usually checked through the department responsible for non-profit registrations.
A word of caution
Always confirm a company, trademark, or non-profit status through the official registrar or intellectual property office involved, rather than relying on a third-party listing that may be out of date.