Adding a director to your company in South Africa is a formal process that must be reported to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Whether you are bringing in a business partner, appointing a family member, or adding an investor to the board, the change must be filed using a CoR39 form within 10 business days. This guide explains exactly how to add a director to your company at CIPC, what documents you need, and how to avoid the most common rejections.
📋 In this guide
→ Requirements to add a director
→ Documents you need
→ Step-by-step process
→ Who cannot be a director
→ Cost and turnaround time
→ Frequently asked questions
Requirements to Add a Director at CIPC
Before you can add a director, three things must be in place. First, the appointment must be approved — usually by the existing directors or shareholders, depending on what your company’s Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) says. Second, the new director must give written consent to act as a director. Third, the person must be legally eligible and not disqualified under Section 69 of the Companies Act, 2008.
Every private company (Pty Ltd) must have at least one director at all times, and there is no maximum unless your MOI sets one. Public companies require at least three directors. Once the appointment is agreed, the change is filed with CIPC on the CoR39 form (the Notice of Change of Directors).
Documents You Need to Add a Director
| Document | Why It’s Needed |
|---|---|
| Certified ID / passport copy | CIPC verifies the identity of the new director. |
| Written consent to act | Confirms the person agrees to be appointed. |
| Company registration number | Identifies the company on the CoR39 form. |
| Director’s contact details | Residential address, email, and phone for CIPC records. |
| Board / shareholders’ resolution | Proof the appointment was properly authorised. |
How to Add a Director: Step by Step
Step 1 — Pass a resolution appointing the director
The existing directors or shareholders must formally agree to appoint the new director. This is recorded in a written resolution. Check your MOI first — it may specify who has the power to appoint directors and whether a specific majority is required.
Step 2 — Get the new director’s written consent
A person cannot be appointed without agreeing to it. The incoming director signs a consent letter confirming they accept the appointment and are not disqualified from serving. Keep this on file — CIPC may request it.
Step 3 — Complete the CoR39 form
The CoR39 (Notice of Change of Directors) is the official form used to record director changes at CIPC. It captures the new director’s full name, ID number, residential address, and the effective date of appointment. Every field must be accurate — a small error here is the most common cause of rejection.
Step 4 — Submit to CIPC and wait for confirmation
The CoR39 is submitted through the CIPC e-Services portal. Once processed, CIPC updates the company’s records and issues an updated disclosure certificate reflecting the new director. This certificate is what banks, SARS, and tender boards will ask for as proof of the change.
Want us to handle the whole process?
We prepare the CoR39, submit it to CIPC, and send you the updated disclosure — from R590, in 3–7 business days.
Add a Director — R590 →Who Cannot Be Appointed as a Director
Section 69 of the Companies Act lists people who are disqualified or ineligible to serve as a director. A person cannot be appointed if they:
- Are an unrehabilitated insolvent
- Have been declared mentally unfit by a court
- Are prohibited by a court from being a director
- Have been removed from an office of trust for dishonesty
- Have been convicted of fraud, theft, forgery, perjury, or a similar offence and imprisoned without the option of a fine
- Are under the age of 18 (a juristic person also cannot be a director)
Cost and Turnaround Time
Through Bekin Consulting, adding a director costs R590 per director change, which includes the CoR39 preparation, CIPC submission, and the updated company disclosure certificate. The turnaround is typically 3–7 business days, depending on CIPC’s processing queue. The Companies Act requires the change to be filed within 10 business days of the appointment, so it’s best not to delay.
Related Services
- CIPC Director Amendment — add or remove directors (R590)
- Company Registration — register a new Pty Ltd
- CIPC Annual Returns — keep your company in good standing
Frequently Asked Questions
The Companies Act requires director changes to be filed with CIPC within 10 business days of the appointment. Late filings are still accepted but may be flagged as non-compliant.
You can file the CoR39 yourself through the CIPC e-Services portal, but errors on the form are the most common cause of rejection and delays. Many business owners use a service like Bekin Consulting to prepare and submit it correctly for R590.
Yes. The new director must provide written consent to act as a director before the appointment can be filed. They must also confirm they are not disqualified under Section 69 of the Companies Act.
Bekin Consulting charges R590 per director change, which includes CoR39 preparation, CIPC submission, and an updated company disclosure certificate.
Yes. Multiple directors can be added in a single submission. Each director change is charged at R590.
