Why Companies Change Names in South Africa
Common reasons for a CIPC name change:
- •Rebranding after new investors, mergers or acquisitions
- •Trademark disputes forcing a rename
- •Expansion beyond original scope ("Cape Town Cleaning" going national)
- •Distancing from reputational damage
- •Original name was rejected as too descriptive by CIPC and a placeholder was used
Whatever the reason, the legal entity remains the same — same CIPC registration number, same tax number, same bank account. Only the trading name and registered legal name change.
The 5-Step CIPC Name Change Process
Step 1: Reserve the New Name (CoR9.1)
Submit up to 4 proposed names to CIPC. Only one will be approved. Cost: R50 per application (up to 4 names in one CoR9.1).
Approval rate: ~65% first attempt. Amashad achieves ~90% by pre-screening for descriptive words, sensitivities, and similarity to existing marks.
Step 2: Special Resolution by Shareholders
A 75% majority special resolution is required to change the company name. This must be:
- •Passed at a duly convened shareholders meeting, OR
- •Signed as a written round-robin resolution (private companies)
Step 3: File CoR9.4 — Notice of Change of Name
CIPC form CoR9.4 is filed together with:
- •✅ New name reservation approval (CoR9.5)
- •✅ Certified copy of the special resolution
- •✅ Notice of MOI amendment (CoR15.2)
- •✅ Filing fee: R250
Step 4: MOI Amendment (CoR15.2)
The MOI reference to the old name is amended. If your MOI is the standard CoR15.1A issued at incorporation, the amendment is a simple substitution page. Customised MOIs require a professional redraft.
Step 5: New CoR14.3 Issued
CIPC issues an amended Certificate of Incorporation (CoR14.3) reflecting the new name — usually within 10–15 working days of submission.
Total CIPC cost: R300 (R50 name reservation + R250 name change filing).
Amashad end-to-end fee: R1,450 including MOI amendment and downstream updates.
Downstream Updates: The 12-Point Checklist
The CIPC name change is only 20% of the work. The other 80% is updating every institution that holds your old name.
1. SARS
- •✅ Company income tax profile — auto-updates from CIPC within 21 days
- •✅ VAT registration certificate — file VAT101 amendment
- •✅ PAYE/UIF/SDL letters of registration — auto-updates
- •✅ Tax Compliance Status PIN — re-request after update
2. Banks
Every account signatory must attend the branch with:
- •New CoR14.3
- •CoR39 (director confirmation)
- •Amended MOI
- •Board resolution
Turnaround: 7–14 days per bank.
3. CSD (Central Supplier Database)
Log into secure.csd.gov.za → Company Details → Update. Attach new CoR14.3.
4. BEE Certificate/Affidavit
Re-issue the sworn affidavit or verification certificate under the new name.
5. COIDA (Compensation Fund)
Update the registered employer name — Letter of Good Standing must be re-issued.
6. Department of Labour (UIF)
Update the employer profile on uFiling.
7. Municipal Trading Licence (if applicable)
Update health, liquor or other trading licences with the local municipality.
8. Insurance Policies
Notify all insurers — public liability, professional indemnity, motor fleet, key-person.
9. Domain and Email
Update WHOIS records, email signatures, and SSL certificates.
10. Google Business Profile, Bing Places, social media
Rename all listings for local SEO consistency.
11. Contracts and Marketing Collateral
- •Notify all clients, suppliers and creditors in writing
- •Update contracts on renewal
- •Reprint invoices, quotes, letterheads, business cards, brochures
12. CIPC Beneficial Ownership Filing
Confirm BO records still list the correct beneficial owners against the new company name.
What Does NOT Change
- •❌ CIPC company registration number
- •❌ Company income tax number
- •❌ VAT number
- •❌ PAYE, UIF, SDL, COIDA numbers
- •❌ Contracts already in force (still binding on the same legal entity)
- •❌ Bank account numbers (only account name updates)
Timeline Summary
| Step | Duration |
|---|
|---|---|
| Name reservation | 3–5 working days |
|---|---|
| Special resolution + document prep | 1–2 working days |
| CIPC name change filing + processing | 10–15 working days |
| SARS auto-sync | Additional 21 days |
| Bank + institutional updates | 2–6 weeks (parallel) |
Full transition: 6–10 weeks from decision to fully updated presence.
Change Your Company Name with Amashad
Amashad handles the full CIPC name change including CoR9.1, CoR9.4, CoR15.2 MOI amendment, and delivers your updated CoR14.3 — plus a written Downstream Update Pack listing every step for SARS, banks, BEE and CSD. [Request a quote](/services) to get started.