Do you need to reserve a name first?
Reserving a name is optional but strongly recommended. The CIPC lets you register a company directly under an interim enterprise number and add a trading name later — but reserving up front confirms your name is available before you incorporate, so you never have to rebrand after the fact. A reservation costs just R 50,00 and is lodged on Form CoR9.1.
A name reservation reserves the name for six months. Your company name must end with the appropriate suffix — for example "(Pty) Ltd" for a private company or "NPC" for a non-profit company.
The reservation process, step by step
1Brainstorm four distinctive name options
You may lodge up to four proposed names on a single CoR9.1 application, ranked in order of preference. The CIPC works down the list and reserves the first available name. Strong candidates are distinctive, easy to spell, and clearly your own — generic or descriptive names are more likely to clash.
2Pre-screen against existing companies and trademarks
Before paying, search the CIPC register and the trademarks database to weed out names that are identical or confusingly similar to an existing entity. Names that imply a connection to government, suggest a regulated activity you are not licensed for, or contain prohibited or offensive terms will be refused.
3Log in and complete Form CoR9.1
On CIPC e-Services, open the name reservation transaction and capture your four alternatives. Ensure your virtual deposit holds at least R 50,00 — the fee for a single name reservation application.
4Submit, pay, and await the outcome
The R50 fee is debited on submission. The CIPC screens your names and issues a Confirmation of Name Reservation (Form CoR9.4) for the approved name. Reservations are typically processed within a few working days.
5Use the reservation within six months
An approved name is reserved for six months, giving you time to complete the company registration (CoR14.1). If it lapses before you incorporate, you can apply to extend it or submit a fresh reservation.
What makes a name acceptable?
- Distinctiveness: it must not be the same as, or confusingly similar to, an existing company or registered trademark.
- No false association: it cannot imply backing by the state, a foreign government, or an international body.
- No prohibited terms: offensive, misleading, or unlawfully restricted words are refused.
- Correct suffix: the entity type suffix (e.g. (Pty) Ltd, NPC) is added on registration.
- No regulated implications: terms like "bank" or "insurer" require the relevant licence.
After your name is approved
Once you receive the CoR9.4 confirmation, you are ready to incorporate. Quote the reserved name reference on your Form CoR14.1 and complete the full registration — see our step-by-step company registration guide for the entire incorporation sequence.