Your company name is the first thing customers, banks and the CIPC see. Getting it approved is step one of registering a private company – and getting it rejected is the most common cause of registration delays. Here is how company name reservation in South Africa works, and how to pick a name that passes the first time.
How company name reservation works at CIPC
A name reservation asks CIPC to set aside your chosen name before (or during) registration. You submit up to four names per application, CIPC compares them against the company, close corporation and trademark registers, and approves the first available, compliant name. The reservation stays valid while you complete registration – so you are not racing against someone else taking your name.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| CIPC name reservation fee | R50 per application (up to 4 names) |
| Processing time | Usually 1-3 business days |
| With Admin Boss registration | Free – included in the R275 company registration package |
| Check a name first | Use our free company name checker before you pay |
Tips for a name that gets approved
- Make it distinctive. “ABC Trading” is likely taken; “Blue Crane Logistics” stands a far better chance.
- Avoid trademarked brands. Anything confusingly similar to a known brand will be rejected or challenged later.
- Skip restricted words. Words implying government, banking or professional bodies need extra approvals.
- Order your four names by preference – CIPC tests them in the order you submit.
- Say it out loud. You will answer the phone with this name for years.
A strong, approved name makes every later step easier. Photo: CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What if all four names are rejected?
It happens – especially with generic names. You simply submit a new application with fresh options (another R50). This is exactly why we pre-check names before submitting: our free name checker screens out obvious conflicts, and the company name generator helps you brainstorm distinctive alternatives. When you register through Admin Boss, we handle the whole reservation for you – including resubmissions.
Register your (Pty) Ltd for R275 and name reservation is on us – we check, submit and chase CIPC until your name is approved.
Start my registration →
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to reserve a company name in South Africa?
CIPC charges R50 for a name reservation application, and you can submit up to four proposed names per application. When you register your company with Admin Boss for R275, name reservation is included at no extra cost.
How many names can I submit to CIPC at once?
You can submit up to four proposed names in one CIPC name reservation application. CIPC checks them in order and approves the first one that is available and compliant.
How long does CIPC name reservation take?
A CIPC name reservation is usually processed within one to three business days. If all your proposed names are rejected, you will need to submit a new application with fresh names.
What makes a company name get rejected by CIPC?
CIPC rejects names that are identical or confusingly similar to an existing company or trademark, names that are offensive, and names that falsely suggest a link to government. Checking availability first saves you the R50 re-application fee.
Do I have to reserve a name before registering a company?
No – CIPC can register a company using its enterprise number as the name, and you can change it later. But trading under a proper name from day one is far better for banking, contracts and branding, so reserving a name first is strongly recommended.
Keep reading
Screen your name ideas before you spend R50 at CIPC.
Stuck for ideas? Generate unique South African business names.
Full CIPC registration with name reservation included.
See everything included in the registration package.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Sources: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). This page is general information, not legal advice.