CIPC Name Reservation: How to Get Your Company Name Approved First Time
CIPC Name Reservation: How to Get Your Company Name Approved First Time
Your company name is the first thing CIPC checks – and the most common reason registrations get delayed. Here is how the reservation system works and how to pick names that get approved.
How CIPC Name Reservation Works
When you reserve a name, you submit up to four options in order of preference. CIPC tests each against the companies register and the trademarks database, and approves the first one that passes. The approved name is then reserved for six months – plenty of time to complete your registration.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | R50 per reservation application (up to 4 names) |
| Validity | 6 months from approval, extendable |
| Turnaround | Usually 1-2 business days |
| Alternative | Register without a name for R125 and change it later |
Why Names Get Rejected
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use invented or distinctive words (think how unusual brand names stand out) | Use generic descriptions only, like “Quality Services” |
| Combine words in unusual ways | Copy or slightly alter a famous brand or existing company |
| Check the name on Google and the CIPC register first | Include restricted words (like “bank” or “university”) without consent |
| Submit four genuinely different options | Submit four near-identical spellings of the same name |
A Quick Word on Trademarks
CIPC approval does not protect your name as a brand – it only stops another company registering the same name. If the name matters to your brand long-term, look into trademark registration with CIPC as a separate step. And try our free company name generator if you are stuck for ideas.
Real-life scenario: fourth time lucky – planned that way
When Ayanda from Bloemfontein applied to register her catering company, her first-choice name was too close to an existing registration. Because she had submitted four well-spaced options, CIPC simply approved her second choice two days later – no new application, no extra R50, no lost week. Her company was registered within five business days of her first form.
The Easiest Way to Reserve Your Name
Name reservation is built into the Admin Boss R275 registration package: send us up to four names, and we lodge them with CIPC in your order of preference, manage any rejections, and complete the (Pty) Ltd registration and SARS tax registration for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CIPC name reservation cost?
A name reservation costs R50 and lets you submit up to four proposed names in order of preference. If you register the company at the same time, the combined fee is R175. Confirm current fees on cipc.co.za.
How long is an approved name valid?
An approved name is reserved for six months. If you have not registered the company within that period, you can extend the reservation or reserve the name again.
Why does CIPC reject company names?
Names are rejected when they are identical or confusingly similar to an existing company or trademark, when they contain restricted words that need special consent, or when they are misleading or offensive. Generic descriptions alone are also refused.
Can I register a company without a name?
Yes. CIPC can register a company using its enterprise number as the name for R125, and you can reserve and change to a proper name later. Most businesses prefer to reserve a name upfront.
What makes a company name more likely to be approved?
Invented or distinctive words, unusual combinations, and names that do not resemble existing registrations have the best approval rates. Always submit four different options so a rejection of your first choice does not delay the process.
Related guides
How to register online
Mistakes to avoid
Registering as a foreigner
Company registration Bloemfontein
Company registration Polokwane
Official Resources
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Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 by Andre van Niekerk (Admin Boss). CIPC rules and fees change – confirm the current process on cipc.co.za. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 by the Admin Boss compliance team.
Checked against official South African sources – CIPC, SARS and the Companies Act 71 of 2008 – so the fees, deadlines and requirements on this page stay accurate for your business.
