A CK certificate is the registration document of a close corporation (CC). It is the CK1, or founding statement, that the registrar issued when the CC was incorporated. It shows the CC’s name, registration number, members and their interests. When the members or those details change, the change is recorded on an amended founding statement, the CK2.
The requirements for getting a CK certificate now depend on whether the CC already exists. No new close corporations have been registered since the Companies Act 71 of 2008 took effect on 1 May 2011. If your CC already exists, you can get a current CIPC disclosure certificate or a copy of its CK documents. If you are starting a new business, you register a company instead and receive a CoR 14.3 registration certificate. This page covers both situations, and what to hand over when a tender, bank or supplier form asks for “CK documents”.
Business Requirements at a Glance
- Existing CC: supply the CK1 (plus any later CK2) and a current CIPC disclosure certificate that confirms the members and status.
- New business: you cannot get a new CK certificate. Register a private company with the CIPC and use the CoR 14.3 certificate wherever a form asks for CK documents.
- CC converted to a company: use the company registration certificate issued on conversion, not the old CK1.
- Status: the CC must be “in business” on the CIPC register. A CC that has not filed its annual returns can be deregistered, and a deregistered CC cannot rely on its CK certificate.
- Tender extras: a SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, B-BBEE evidence and, for government work, registration on the Central Supplier Database.
Registration and Legal Requirements
Close corporations are governed by the Close Corporations Act 69 of 1984, which the CIPC still administers. Schedule 3 of the Companies Act amended that Act to stop new CCs being incorporated. It did not dissolve existing ones. A CC registered before 1 May 2011 remains a valid legal entity and can keep trading without converting. It keeps its CK registration number and its CK1 and CK2 records.
Converting a CC to a company is optional. Under Schedule 2 of the Companies Act, a CC can file a notice of conversion (form CoR 18.1) at any time. The notice must include:
- written consent from members holding at least 75% of the members’ interest
- a Memorandum of Incorporation that complies with the Companies Act
- the prescribed filing fee
On conversion, the CIPC cancels the CC registration and issues a company registration certificate. The same legal entity carries on as a company, with all its assets, liabilities and contracts. Any personal liability that members had already incurred under the Close Corporations Act survives the conversion.
How to register a CK today: you can’t. Anyone offering to register a “new CC” is really selling you an existing entity, along with its history, debts and tax record, or is misleading you. The legitimate route for a new business is to register a private company through the CIPC. See our company registration requirements.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
“CK documents” is shorthand for the CC’s CIPC registration records. For an existing CC, a tender or bank will usually expect:
- CK1: the founding statement and certificate of incorporation
- CK2: each amended founding statement, if members, member interests or the name have changed
- CK2A: the amendment of the accounting officer or addresses, where one has been filed
- A CIPC disclosure certificate showing the current members, registered address and status. Many institutions accept this in place of the original CK1.
- Certified copies of each member’s ID
- The CC’s registration number (the CK number), which CIPC, SARS, banks and the Central Supplier Database all use to identify the entity
The member details on your CK documents must match the people signing for the business. If a member has left or joined and no CK2 was filed, file it with the CIPC before you submit a tender. A mismatch between your documents and the CIPC register can get a bid disqualified.
For a company, the equivalents are the CoR 14.3 registration certificate, the Memorandum of Incorporation and a disclosure certificate listing the directors.
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
A CK certificate proves the CC was registered. It does not prove the CC is compliant today. Keep these up to date:
- CIPC annual returns. A CC must file an annual return every year from its anniversary month, together with its financial accountability supplement or financial statements. The CIPC fee for a CC with turnover under R50 million is R100, plus a R150 penalty for each late return. CCs that don’t file are moved into deregistration.
- SARS tax compliance. Tender authorities check your Tax Compliance Status with a PIN that you request on eFiling. To be compliant, you need no outstanding returns, no unarranged SARS debt, and registration for every tax you are liable for.
- B-BBEE evidence. An exempted micro enterprise can use a sworn affidavit, which is available through BizPortal. Larger entities need a verification certificate from an accredited agency.
- Central Supplier Database. Registration on the CSD is needed for government work, and the CSD checks your details against CIPC and SARS records. Out-of-date member details on the CK documents will cause the CSD check to fail.
- Sector licences. Construction, security, transport and other regulated work need their own registrations. A CK certificate does not replace them.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
How to get a CK certificate or its replacement for an existing CC:
- Log in to CIPC eServices as a registered customer.
- Search the CC by name or CK registration number and check that its status is “in business”.
- If annual returns are outstanding, file them first.
- Request an electronic disclosure certificate. Copies or certified copies of the original CK1 and CK2 filings are requested through CIPC’s disclosure service.
- If members or details have changed, lodge a CK2 (or a CK2A for accounting officer or address changes) before you rely on the documents.
How to get the equivalent for a new business: reserve a name if you want one, then register a private company on CIPC eServices, BizPortal or the CIPC mobile app. The CIPC issues the CoR 14.3 registration certificate once the company is registered.
Ongoing obligations: file the annual return every year, file a CK2 whenever membership or member interests change, and keep your SARS and CSD records in line with the CIPC register.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are CK documents in South Africa?
CK documents are the CIPC registration records of a close corporation. They include the CK1 founding statement and certificate, any CK2 amended founding statements, and CK2A amendments. When a form asks for “CK documents” and your business is a company, supply the CoR 14.3 certificate and a current disclosure certificate instead.
What is a CK1 document?
The CK1 is a close corporation’s original founding statement, issued as its certificate of incorporation. It records the CC’s name, registration number, members and their percentage interests at registration. Changes after registration appear on CK2 forms, not on the CK1.
What is a CK number in South Africa?
A CK number is a close corporation’s CIPC registration (enterprise) number, as printed on its CK1. You use it to search the CC on the CIPC register and to register with SARS, banks and the Central Supplier Database.
How much is a CK certificate in South Africa?
You cannot buy a new CK certificate, because CCs are no longer registered. For an existing CC, the CIPC charges R30 for an electronic disclosure certificate, and its disclosure fee schedule lists the charges for copies and certification. For a new business, CIPC company registration costs between R125 and R475, depending on the type of company and its Memorandum of Incorporation. Intermediaries charge more than these official fees.
Can I still register a close corporation?
No. No new close corporations have been incorporated since 1 May 2011. Existing CCs continue to exist and do not have to convert.
My CK certificate is lost. What do I do?
Request a disclosure certificate on CIPC eServices, and request copies of the original filings through the CIPC disclosure service. The disclosure certificate reflects the CC’s current register entry, which is usually what a bank or tender actually needs.
CIPC forms, fees and filing rules change from time to time. Confirm the current requirements with the CIPC close corporation forms and fees page before you file. Next, check the company registration requirements or browse all business and compliance requirements.