Beneficial Ownership filing · CIPC

Beneficial Ownership filing, done for you

CIPC needs to know which real people own or control your company. We prepare it, check it and submit it.

You answer a few questions and upload IDs. No legal jargon, and no guessing which box to tick.

  • R590once-off
  • 1–3working days
  • 100%online

You can save your progress and finish later.

Real peopleCall or email. Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 9–1.
A registered SA businessBusiness Online Consulting, 2015/243029/07
One clear priceR590 once-off, shown before you pay.
Secure uploadsNo emailing your ID to a stranger.

What is Beneficial Ownership, in plain English?

The jargon is heavier than the idea. Here's the idea.

It's about people, not companiesCIPC wants to know which real people are behind your company, not just whose name is on the share certificate.
5% or more, or real controlYou count if you own 5% or more of the company, directly or through another company or trust. You also count if you control it in practice.
It's a filing with CIPCThe company files a declaration listing those people. It sits alongside your annual return, and it needs updating when things change.

For example: two friends own a Pty Ltd, 50% each. Both are beneficial owners, so both go on the filing. A third person holding 3% with no say in running the company isn't over the line, so they don't.

Who needs to file? Most likely you.

If your company is registered with CIPC, it files. That includes every Pty Ltd, even one with a single owner.

  • Your company has owners with 5% or moreYou list each of them.
  • Nobody reaches 5%You still file. The declaration says there's no one to list.
  • You're a regulated company, or a subsidiary of oneYou have extra paperwork, including a beneficial interest register. We'll tell you what applies.

Not sure where you fit? A few types of organisation are exempt, such as listed companies and co-operatives. Call us and we'll tell you in a minute.

What information you'll need

Two lists: one about each owner, one about the company.

About each owner

Our form takes up to four owners per filing.

  • Full name
  • ID or passport number
  • Nationality and country of residence
  • Date of birth
  • Residential address
  • The percentage they own
  • The date they got their interest
  • How they own or control the company
  • A certified copy of their ID or passport, certified within the last 3 months

More than four owners? Call us and we'll sort it out.

About the company

Some depend on how your company is set up.

  • A signed mandate or board resolution, signed by the majority of directors
  • Your share register (the securities register)
  • An ownership diagram, if the company is owned through other companies
  • The trust deed and letter of authority, if a trust is involved
  • A beneficial interest register, for regulated companies only

Missing one of these? Tell us and we'll help you put it together.

Certified copies: a photocopy that a police station or commissioner of oaths has stamped as a true copy of the original.

Why it matters

None of this is hard to fix. It's just easy to miss.

Your annual returnsIf your beneficial ownership isn't filed, CIPC can block your annual return.
Notices and penaltiesNot filing, or filing false information, is an offence. CIPC can issue compliance notices and penalties.
Keeping it currentWhen ownership changes, the filing needs updating. The rule is within 10 days of the change.

How we help

You give us the facts. We turn them into a filing CIPC accepts.

Beneficial Ownership filing

R590

once-off · we prepare, check and submit

File My Beneficial Ownership — R590

You can save your progress and finish later.

  1. 1
    Tell us about your company and its ownersCompany details, a contact person, and each owner's information.
  2. 2
    Upload your documentsCertified ID copies, your share register and the other documents from the list above.
  3. 3
    We prepare, check and submitWe check everything against your documents and file it with CIPC, typically within 1–3 working days.

Can I do this myself? Yes. You can file directly with CIPC, and as far as published guides say, CIPC doesn't charge for it. The R590 pays for us preparing it, checking it against your documents, submitting it, and fixing mistakes before they reach CIPC.

Is it safe to upload IDs? Here’s what happens to them.

You’re trusting us with personal documents and money. So here’s how we look after both, and who you’re dealing with.

  • Uploaded over an encrypted connectionSend your ID through the secure form, never by email or WhatsApp.
  • Used only to register your companyWe handle personal information in line with POPIA. Read the Privacy Policy.
  • Card details go to the payment providerYou pay by card or EFT. We don't see or store your card number.
  • A business you can phoneReal people answer, Monday to Saturday. Refund terms are in our Terms, and linked at payment.

Who you're dealing with

Company
Business Online Consulting
Reg. 2015/243029/07
Registered office
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Call
061 606 8198 · Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 9–1

Beneficial Ownership questions

Not here? Call us on 061 606 8198.

What if nobody owns 5% of my company?

You still file. The declaration confirms that there are no beneficial owners to list.

How many owners can I list?

Our online form takes up to four owners per filing. If you have more, call us and we’ll sort it out.

My company is owned by another company or a trust. Does that change anything?

It can. You need to look through to the real people behind them. You’ll also need an ownership diagram, plus the trust deed and letter of authority if a trust is involved. We’ll guide you through it.

How long does it take?

We prepare and submit your filing within 1–3 working days of getting your form and documents.

Do I need to file again later?

Yes, when something changes, like a new shareholder or a sale of shares. The rule is within 10 days of the change. Call us and we’ll help with the update.

Do I have to use you?

No. You can file directly with CIPC yourself. We take the paperwork off your plate.

Haven't registered your company yet?

Start there. R850 once-off, and your documents arrive in 3–5 working days.

See company registration

Get your Beneficial Ownership filed.

R590 once-off. We prepare it, check it and submit it.

100% online · 1–3 working days · Real people, Mon–Sat

R590once-off
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