CIPC Automates Voluntary Deregistration Process

Posted 15 December 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category CIPC

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has transitioned the voluntary deregistration process for companies and close corporations to an automated electronic system, effective 8 December 2025.

In terms of Notice 57 of 2025, all voluntary deregistration applications must now be submitted through authorised CIPC electronic platforms. The previous manual submission channel via the dedicated email address (deregistrations&cipc.co.za) has been decommissioned for new applications as of the effective date. This change applies to entities registered under the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 and the Close Corporations Act, No. 69 of 1984.

Transition and Legacy Applications

The CIPC has confirmed that there will be no migration of existing data from the manual system to the automated platform. The following procedural rules apply to the transition:

  • Applications submitted prior to 8 December 2025 will be processed to completion using the legacy manual system.
  • Users must not resubmit pending manual applications on the new electronic platforms, as this will result in data duplication and the application being blocked.
  • The automated system will automatically block applications for entities already reflecting a status of ‘in deregistration’ or ‘final deregistration’.

Platform Availability and Documentation

The automated service is accessible via the BizPortal, the CIPC Mobile App, and the CIPC Website (New e-Services). The process is structured as a two-step electronic workflow requiring confirmation from authorised representatives. Regarding documentation:

  • Deregistration notifications and letters are available for download free of charge by the applicant or active directors/members for a period of 6 months following final deregistration.
  • After the 6-month period, a fee of R30.00 will be charged for these documents.
  • Third parties seeking deregistration information must request disclosure through the Paper-Based Disclosure process.

Click here to download Notice 57 of 2025: Automation of Company and CC Voluntary Deregistration.

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

  • For yourself: You must immediately cease using the deregistration email address for new filings and ensure you have active, verified credentials for the CIPC New e-Services or BizPortal platforms.
  • For your business: Update internal compliance manuals to include a step for downloading final deregistration letters within 6 months of completion to avoid the R30.00 retrieval fee per entity.
  • For your clients: Advise clients with pending manual applications submitted before 8 December 2025 to wait for legacy processing rather than attempting to re-file online, which will trigger a system block.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/cipc-automation-of-company-and-cc-voluntary-deregistration

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