{ "$schema": "https://govschema.org/spec/v0.3/govschema.schema.json", "govschemaVersion": "0.3.0", "id": "za/cipc/private-company-incorporation", "version": "1.0.0", "title": "South Africa Private Company (Pty Ltd) Incorporation", "description": "Incorporate a South African private company (Pty Ltd) by filing a Notice of Incorporation (Form CoR14.1) and its Initial Directors annexure (Form CoR14.1A), with a Short Standard Form Memorandum of Incorporation for private companies (Form CoR15.1A) attached, with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), electronically via CIPC e-Services or BizPortal. This is the South African analogue to gb/companies-house/company-incorporation-in01, ie/cro/company-incorporation, ca/on/registration/business-incorporation, us/ca/sos/business-entity-llc-formation, au/asic/proprietary-company-registration, de/handelsregister/gmbh-formation-musterprotokoll, fr/inpi/sasu-or-eurl-formation, nl/kvk/bv-formation, and sg/acra/private-limited-company-incorporation. Scoped to the simplest case: a single incorporator who is also the company's sole initial director, self-filing electronically (not a manual paper lodgement, and not filed through a third-party channel, bank, or Self Service Terminal), incorporating a private company (not a state-owned, public, personal-liability, or non-profit company) whose Memorandum of Incorporation is the statutory short standard form for private companies (Form CoR15.1A) rather than a customised or unique MOI. Unlike jurisdictions with a minimum share-capital requirement, the Companies Act, 2008 sets no minimum capital and requires only a ceiling on the number of no-par-value shares the company is authorised to issue; the actual allotment of shares to the founder is a post-incorporation step not modelled here. Out of scope: multiple incorporators or directors, a company secretary or auditor appointment, trust or juristic-person incorporators, ring-fencing provisions (section 15(2)(b)/(c)), manual/paper lodgement and its certified-ID/power-of-attorney handling, the customised/long-form MOI (Form CoR15.1B) and non-profit/public/state-owned/personal-liability company types, and the separate stand-alone name-reservation filing (Form CoR9.1) other than the option to cite an existing reservation's number. It does not submit anything or imply government endorsement.", "status": "draft", "jurisdiction": { "country": "ZA", "level": "national" }, "authority": { "name": "Companies and Intellectual Property Commission", "abbreviation": "CIPC", "url": "https://www.cipc.co.za" }, "process": { "type": "registration", "language": "en-ZA" }, "source": { "url": "https://www.cipc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Forms/Companies/CoR-14_1.pdf", "retrievedAt": "2026-07-05", "documentRef": "Form CoR14.1 (Notice of Incorporation) and Annexure A (Form CoR14.1A, Initial Directors), issued under section 13 of the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008) and Regulation 14 of the Companies Regulations, 2011; Form CoR15.1A (Memorandum of Incorporation — Short Standard Form for Private Companies), issued under section 13 of the Companies Act, 2008 and Regulation 15 of the Companies Regulations, 2011" }, "verification": { "method": "manual-source-review-v1", "lastVerifiedAt": "2026-07-05", "verifiedBy": "GovSchema Engineering (Standards Engineer)", "nextReviewBy": "2027-01-05", "notes": "GOV-1181 'GovSchema Standard Research' research cycle: per GOV-1174's own closing note, South Africa opened as the registry's 13th jurisdiction with only one schema published (za/dha/passport-application-first-adult); every other ZA vertical (DMV, Business Formation, Visa, Taxes, National ID) remained unopened. This document opens Business Formation for South Africa, the same true-limited-liability-company-formation pattern the GOV-1136 cycle established for DE/FR/NL/SG. Sourced directly from four CIPC-prescribed statutory forms fetched from cipc.co.za (CoR14.1, CoR14.1A, CoR9.1, CoR15.1A) — each a genuine text-layer PDF (not scanned), extracted and read in full, page by page, including every sidebar instruction — plus CIPC's own 'Contact details, forms & supporting documents required when transacting with CIPC' reference table (cipc.co.za, v2.0, April 2017, still hosted at the current domain), which supplied the private-company-short-form registration fee schedule (R175, reduced by any name-reservation fee already paid) and the required supporting identity documents. See VERIFICATION.md for the full source table, scope notes, and the mock conformance test run." }, "maturity": { "level": "structural-reference", "criteria": { "structuralReference": true, "verifiedSchema": false, "agentReadySchema": false, "executionTestedSchema": false }, "method": "maturity-self-assessment-v1", "assertedBy": "GovSchema Engineering (Standards Engineer)", "assertedAt": "2026-07-05" }, "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "fields": [ { "name": "cipcCustomerCode", "label": "CIPC customer code", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The customer code issued when the applicant registers as a CIPC customer, required before any e-Services filing can be made.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 — 'Customer Code: _____'; Form CoR9.1 — 'Customer Code: _____'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 50 } }, { "name": "companyNameMethod", "label": "How the company name is to be determined", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "Corresponds to the three tick-box options at paragraph 6 of the Notice of Incorporation: register using the company's registration number as its name (plus the statutory section 11(3) elements), cite a name already reserved or registered under a reservation/registration number, or propose up to four candidate names to be considered in order at the time of incorporation.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 6 — 'The company's registration number, followed by the elements required by section 11 (3)' / 'The name currently reserved or registered under # ___ for use by ___' / 'The first of the names set out on annexure B that proves to be eligible, in terms of Regulation 14 (1) (b)(iii)'", "validation": { "enum": [ "register_using_registration_number", "previously_reserved_or_registered_name", "propose_names_at_incorporation" ] } }, { "name": "reservationOrRegistrationNumber", "label": "Existing name reservation or registration number", "type": "string", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "companyNameMethod", "equals": "previously_reserved_or_registered_name" }, "description": "The '#' reference number of the name already reserved (per a CIPC Form CoR9.4 confirmation notice) or registered, to be adopted as the new company's name.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 6 — 'The name currently reserved or registered under # _______________'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 50 } }, { "name": "reservedNameHolder", "label": "Name reserved/registered for use by", "type": "string", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "companyNameMethod", "equals": "previously_reserved_or_registered_name" }, "description": "The person or entity named on the existing reservation/registration as entitled to use it — ordinarily the incorporator named below.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 6 — 'for use by _______________________________________________'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "proposedCompanyNamePrimary", "label": "First-choice proposed company name", "type": "string", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "companyNameMethod", "equals": "propose_names_at_incorporation" }, "description": "The first of up to four candidate names listed on Annexure B, considered for reservation in the order listed; only the first eligible one is used.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 6 — 'The first of the names set out on annexure B that proves to be eligible'; Form CoR9.1 — 'reserve the first eligible name among the following ... (Insert the proposed name or names to be considered in order for reservation)'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "proposedCompanyNameAlternate2", "label": "Second-choice proposed company name", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Optional second candidate name, considered only if the first-choice name is not eligible.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR9.1 — proposed name list, item 2", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "proposedCompanyNameAlternate3", "label": "Third-choice proposed company name", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Optional third candidate name, considered only if neither the first- nor second-choice names are eligible.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR9.1 — proposed name list, item 3", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "proposedCompanyNameAlternate4", "label": "Fourth-choice proposed company name", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "Optional fourth candidate name, considered only if none of the first three names are eligible.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR9.1 — proposed name list, item 4", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "incorporationEffectiveDateOption", "label": "When incorporation is to take effect", "type": "enum", "required": true, "description": "Whether incorporation takes effect on the date the registration certificate is issued, or on a later specified date.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 2 — 'The incorporation of the company is to take effect on ... The date of the registration certificate is issued ... ___, if later than the registration date'", "validation": { "enum": ["on_registration_certificate_date", "specified_later_date"] } }, { "name": "incorporationEffectiveSpecifiedDate", "label": "Specified incorporation effective date", "type": "date", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "incorporationEffectiveDateOption", "equals": "specified_later_date" }, "description": "The later date on which incorporation is to take effect, if not the registration-certificate date.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 2 — '_______, if later than the registration date'" }, { "name": "firstFinancialYearEnd", "label": "First financial year end", "type": "date", "required": true, "description": "The date on which the company's first financial year will end.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 3 — 'The company's first financial year will end on ___'" }, { "name": "registeredOfficeAddress", "label": "Registered office address", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The company's registered office address.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 4 — 'The company's registered office address is ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 500 } }, { "name": "authorisedShareCount", "label": "Authorised number of shares", "type": "integer", "required": true, "description": "The maximum number of no-par-value shares of a single class the company is authorised to issue, entered on the Memorandum of Incorporation cover sheet. The Companies Act, 2008 sets no minimum share capital for a private company.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR15.1A cover sheet — 'is authorised to issue no more than ___ shares of a single class of shares as described in Article 2'; Article 2.1(1) — 'shares of a single class of shares with no nominal or par value'", "validation": { "minimum": 1 } }, { "name": "founderFullName", "label": "Incorporator / initial director's full name", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "Full name of the sole incorporator, who in this document's single-founder scope is also the company's sole initial director.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 'From:' box — 'Name: ___'; Form CoR14.1A — 'Full name / former name, if any: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "founderFormerName", "label": "Founder's former name, if any", "type": "string", "required": false, "description": "A former name of the founder (e.g. before a legal name change), if applicable.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Full name / former name, if any: ___'", "validation": { "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "founderIdentityOrRegistrationNumber", "label": "Founder's identity number", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's South African identity number, or another identity/registration number if not a South African identity holder.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 'From:' box — 'Identity/Reg No: ___'; Form CoR14.1A — 'Identity number: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 50 } }, { "name": "founderIsSouthAfricanCitizen", "label": "Is the founder a South African citizen?", "type": "boolean", "required": true, "description": "Whether the founder is a South African citizen; gates whether a passport number must be given instead of a South African identity number pattern.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Passport number, if not South African'" }, { "name": "founderNationality", "label": "Founder's nationality", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's nationality.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Nationality: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "founderPassportNumber", "label": "Founder's passport number", "type": "string", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "founderIsSouthAfricanCitizen", "equals": false }, "description": "The founder's passport number, required only if the founder is not a South African citizen.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Passport number, if not South African: ___'", "validation": { "maxLength": 50 } }, { "name": "founderDateOfAppointment", "label": "Date of appointment as director", "type": "date", "required": true, "description": "The date the founder is appointed as the company's initial director.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Date of appointment: ___'" }, { "name": "founderDesignation", "label": "Founder's designation in the company", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's designation in the company, e.g. 'Director'.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Designation in the company: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 100 } }, { "name": "founderResidentialAddress", "label": "Founder's residential address", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's residential address.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Residential address: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 500 } }, { "name": "founderBusinessAddress", "label": "Founder's business address", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's business address.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Business address: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 500 } }, { "name": "founderPostalAddress", "label": "Founder's postal address", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's postal address.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Postal address: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 500 } }, { "name": "founderOccupation", "label": "Founder's occupation", "type": "string", "required": true, "description": "The founder's occupation.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'Occupation: ___'", "validation": { "minLength": 1, "maxLength": 200 } }, { "name": "founderIsSouthAfricanResident", "label": "Is the founder a South African resident?", "type": "boolean", "required": true, "description": "Whether the founder is resident in South Africa. Distinct from South African citizenship.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1A — 'South African resident: ___ (Yes) ___ (No)'" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "noticeOfIncorporationDeclaration", "label": "Notice of Incorporation declaration (Form CoR14.1)", "category": "attestation", "required": true, "statement": "I declare that the information in this application is true. If I am not the applicant, I declare that the Applicant has authorised me to make this application.", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 — declaration and signature block" }, { "id": "initialDirectorsAnnexureA", "label": "Notice of Incorporation — Initial Directors (Annexure A, Form CoR14.1A)", "category": "supporting-evidence", "required": true, "belongsTo": "applicant", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 5 — 'There are ___ initial directors of the company, as listed in Annexure A'; Form CoR14.1A sidebar — 'Annexure A must be completed and attached to the Notice of Incorporation when it is filed'" }, { "id": "memorandumOfIncorporationStandardForm", "label": "Memorandum of Incorporation — Short Standard Form for Private Companies (Form CoR15.1A)", "category": "supporting-evidence", "required": true, "belongsTo": "applicant", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 sidebar — 'An MOI in Form CoR 15.1A, 15.1B, 15.1C, 15.1D or 15.1E or unique to the company must be attached'; Form CoR15.1A — 'This form may be used only to incorporate a private company'" }, { "id": "alternativeNamesAnnexureB", "label": "Notice of Incorporation — Alternative Names for the Company (Annexure B)", "category": "supporting-evidence", "required": false, "requiredWhen": { "field": "companyNameMethod", "equals": "propose_names_at_incorporation" }, "belongsTo": "applicant", "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1, paragraph 6 — 'The first of the names set out on annexure B that proves to be eligible'; CIPC form list — 'Cor14.1 App B — Notice of Incorporation – alternative names for the company'" }, { "id": "founderIdentityDocument", "label": "Founder's certified identity document", "category": "identity-document", "required": true, "belongsTo": "applicant", "acceptedTypes": ["south_african_smart_id_card", "foreign_passport"], "issuingAuthority": "Department of Home Affairs (South African identity documents) or the founder's national passport authority", "sourceRef": "CIPC 'Contact details, forms & supporting documents' reference table, Registration of Companies — Private company short form — 'Certified ID of applicant'; 'Only foreign nationals may submit a certified passport copy. South African citizens must submit a green bar-coded/ smart ID copy (both sides of the smart ID must be certified)'" }, { "id": "registrationFee", "label": "Company registration filing fee", "category": "payment", "required": true, "amount": { "currency": "ZAR", "value": 175 }, "methods": ["cipc_eservices_online_payment"], "sourceRef": "Form CoR14.1 sidebar — 'The basic filing fee is R175 if the company's Memorandum of Incorporation is in Form 15.1A or 15.1C, or R475 in any other case'; CIPC 'Contact details, forms & supporting documents' reference table — 'R175 minus name reservation fee if name was reserved i.e. R125 if name was reserved electronically, R100 if name was reserved manually'" } ], "steps": [ { "id": "company_name", "title": "Company name", "fields": [ "cipcCustomerCode", "companyNameMethod", "reservationOrRegistrationNumber", "reservedNameHolder", "proposedCompanyNamePrimary", "proposedCompanyNameAlternate2", "proposedCompanyNameAlternate3", "proposedCompanyNameAlternate4" ], "next": "incorporation_terms" }, { "id": "incorporation_terms", "title": "Incorporation terms", "fields": [ "incorporationEffectiveDateOption", "incorporationEffectiveSpecifiedDate", "firstFinancialYearEnd", "registeredOfficeAddress", "authorisedShareCount" ], "next": "founder_and_director" }, { "id": "founder_and_director", "title": "Incorporator and initial director", "fields": [ "founderFullName", "founderFormerName", "founderIdentityOrRegistrationNumber", "founderIsSouthAfricanCitizen", "founderNationality", "founderPassportNumber", "founderDateOfAppointment", "founderDesignation", "founderResidentialAddress", "founderBusinessAddress", "founderPostalAddress", "founderOccupation", "founderIsSouthAfricanResident" ] } ] }