Confirmation Statement Template for South Africa

A Confirmation Statement lets companies tell CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) that their business information is still accurate or needs updating. It's a yearly filing requirement for all registered South African companies under the Companies Act of 2008.

Directors must verify key details like the company's registered address, contact information, and officer details. Filing this statement helps maintain accurate public records and shows your company is active and compliant. Missing the filing deadline can result in penalties and affect your company's good standing with CIPC.

Every South African company must file a Confirmation Statement annually with CIPC, starting from the month after incorporation. The filing window opens 30 days before your company's anniversary date, giving you time to review and update your information.

Submit your statement when adding new directors, changing your registered address, or updating share capital details. Filing on time keeps your company compliant and active on the CIPC register. Many businesses align this filing with their annual financial statements to streamline their compliance calendar and maintain good corporate governance.

• The standard CIPC Confirmation Statement comes in a single format, but companies adapt their internal review processes based on size and complexity. Large corporations often create detailed checklists covering director information, share structures, and business activities. Small businesses typically focus on basic compliance elements like contact details and registered address confirmation. Non-profit companies must include additional declarations about their public benefit status and activities.

• Company Directors: Responsible for reviewing and confirming the accuracy of information in the Confirmation Statement. They must ensure all details submitted to CIPC are current and truthful.
• Company Secretaries: Often manage the preparation and submission process, gathering required information and maintaining compliance calendars.
• CIPC: Receives and processes Confirmation Statements, using them to maintain accurate public records of South African companies.
• Accounting Officers: Help verify financial information and ensure alignment with annual financial statements when applicable.

• Company Details: Gather your registration number, registered address, and business contact information from your CIPC documents.
• Director Information: Compile current director details, including ID numbers, addresses, and appointment dates.
• Share Structure: Review your share capital information, including any changes in shareholding during the year.
• Business Activities: Confirm your main business activities haven't changed from previous filings.
• Filing Window: Check your anniversary month and ensure submission within the 30-day window CIPC provides.

• Company Identification: Full registered name, registration number, and type of company as recorded with CIPC.
• Director Declaration: Confirmation that all information provided is true and accurate at filing date.
• Business Details: Current registered office address, postal address, and contact information.
• Corporate Structure: Details of directors, share capital, and major shareholders if applicable.
• Financial Status: Statement confirming if annual financial statements are required and their status.
• Signature Block: Electronic signature of authorized director or officer with date of submission.

The Confirmation Statement is often confused with a Certification Statement, but they serve distinct purposes in South African business compliance. While both involve formal declarations, their scope and application differ significantly.

• Purpose and Timing: Confirmation Statements are annual CIPC filings to verify company information, while Certification Statements are point-in-time declarations about specific facts or circumstances.
• Legal Requirements: Every registered company must file a Confirmation Statement by law, but Certification Statements are used voluntarily or when specifically required by contracts or regulations.
• Content Scope: Confirmation Statements cover standardized company details like directors and addresses, whereas Certification Statements can address any subject matter requiring formal verification.
• Authority: CIPC exclusively handles Confirmation Statements, but various entities may request or issue Certification Statements depending on the context.