Beneficial ownership filing
Every company must keep its beneficial ownership information up to date with CIPC. This records who ultimately owns or controls the company. CIPC requires it before an annual return can be filed. Answer three questions below to see what your filing involves.
What is included
- Beneficial ownership register drawn up correctly for your structure
- Filing on CIPC eServices with certified ID copies handled
- Tracing through holding companies and trusts to the natural persons
- CIPC confirmation for your records and your bank’s FICA requests
- The security register updated to match, the detail most DIY filings miss
- A change protocol: what to refile within 10 days when ownership changes
How ordering works
- Order online with the button below and pay securely by card or instant EFT (PayFast), or wait for the EFT invoice.
- Complete the short online form waiting in your client portal. It asks for everything we need - no calls, no meetings, everything on record.
- We build your register from the questionnaire, collect certified IDs by email, file on CIPC eServices and send confirmation, usually within two to four business days.
- The price you see is the price you pay (CIPC does not charge a government fee for this filing) - and if we cannot deliver what this page promises, you get your money back.
Frequently asked questions
What is beneficial ownership filing at CIPC?
A register of the natural persons who ultimately own or control 5% or more of your company, filed with CIPC under the 2023 anti money laundering amendments. It looks through companies and trusts to the humans behind them.
Is beneficial ownership filing mandatory for all companies?
Yes, for every company and close corporation, including dormant ones. CIPC hard-blocks your annual return until the filing is up to date, which is how most owners discover the requirement.
How much does beneficial ownership filing cost?
CIPC charges nothing for the filing itself; our R490 covers building the register correctly, the eServices filing, the document handling and the confirmation. Complex structures with trusts stay the same fixed price.
What documents are needed for beneficial ownership filing?
Certified ID or passport copies of each beneficial owner, the shareholding percentages, and for entity or trust shareholders the documents tracing to the natural persons: share registers, trust deeds and letters of authority.
What happens if beneficial ownership changes later?
You must update the register and refile with CIPC within 10 business days of the change. Our change protocol sheet tells you exactly what to send us and what it costs (the same fixed fee, only when a change actually happens).
The requirement applies under the Companies Act as amended by the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering) Amendment Act 22 of 2022; CIPC charges no fee for the filing (confirmed August 2026). Free tools are estimates. Packs are templates and guidance, not legal or financial advice.