CIPC: New Verification Process for Director Contact Details

Posted 05 November 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Corporate Governance

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has introduced a new security protocol requiring directors to personally authorise changes to their contact information via a time-sensitive verification link.

In terms of Notice 49 of 2025, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has implemented a system designed to protect directors from unauthorised changes to their records. When a request to update contact information is lodged, the Commission will dispatch a verification link directly to the affected director’s recorded email address.

The director is required to interact with this link to either approve the change if it is legitimate or reject the application if it was not authorised. This process is subject to a strict 24-hour verification window. Failure to respond within this timeframe will result in the application being processed according to the Commission’s automated security protocols, which typically include the cancellation of the pending request.

The Commission has issued the following directives regarding this new process:

  • Directors must ensure their current email addresses are correctly recorded with the CIPC to receive these notifications.
  • The verification emails are legitimate communications from the Commission and should not be treated as phishing attempts.
  • Prompt action is required within the 24-hour period to ensure the successful processing of legitimate updates.

Click here to download Notice 49 of 2025.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Ensure your own contact details on the CIPC database are current and that you have access to the registered email account to avoid being locked out of future administrative updates.
  • For your business: Update internal compliance and secretarial protocols to include a 24-hour monitoring window whenever a filing is made that affects director contact data.
  • For your clients: Advise directors that they must personally take action on CIPC verification emails within 24 hours; third-party practitioners cannot bypass this step on the director’s behalf.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/cipc-change-of-director-s-contact-details

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