Verification Overview Guide
Verified businesses earn trust badges that appear on your profile and in search results.
Verification Module Overview
The Verification module helps you prove your business credentials to potential clients, government entities, and partners. Verified businesses earn trust badges that appear on your profile and in search results.
This guide explains how verification works, what can be verified, and how to complete the verification process for each credential.
Verified businesses stand out in the marketplace. Government buyers and corporate procurement teams prefer suppliers with verified credentials. Verification reduces due diligence friction and speeds up onboarding.
What Can Be Verified
CIPC Registration
Verify your company registration status and details.
SARS Tax Clearance
Verify your Tax Compliance Status (TCS-PIN).
B-BBEE Certificate
Verify your B-BBEE level and certificate validity.
COIDA Registration
Verify your Compensation Fund registration.
CSD Registration
Verify your Central Supplier Database registration.
Industry Certifications
CIDB, PSIRA, professional body registrations.
How Verification Works
Submit Credentials
Enter your registration numbers and upload supporting documents.
Automated Checks
System checks against official databases where possible.
Manual Review
Our team reviews documents that can't be auto-verified.
Verification Complete
Trust badge added to your profile if verification passes.
Ongoing Monitoring
System alerts you when credentials are expiring or need renewal.
Start with CIPC and SARS. These are the most commonly requested credentials and can often be verified automatically. Once these are done, add B-BBEE and industry-specific certifications.
Trust Badges
What Are Trust Badges?
Trust badges are visual indicators that appear on your profile showing which credentials have been verified. They help buyers quickly assess your compliance status.
Badge Types
Verified CompanyRequired
CIPC registration confirmed and current.
Tax CompliantRequired
SARS TCS-PIN verified and valid.
B-BBEE VerifiedRecommended
B-BBEE certificate verified with level displayed.
Industry CertifiedConditional
Sector-specific certifications verified.
Award ReadyConditional
All government tender requirements met.
Trust badges appear on your public profile, in search results, and on documents you share through the platform. They give potential clients confidence in your business at a glance.
Understanding Verification Status
Status Indicators
VerifiedRequired
Credential confirmed against official source. Badge active.
PendingConditional
Submitted for verification, awaiting review.
Expiring SoonConditional
Credential verified but expiring within 30 days.
ExpiredConditional
Credential has expired. Needs renewal.
FailedConditional
Verification couldn't be completed. Action needed.
Keep credentials current. Expired credentials will remove your trust badges and may affect your visibility in search results. Set up expiry alerts to stay ahead.
Getting Started with Verification
Complete Your Profile
Ensure company details are filled in before verifying.
Gather Documents
Have registration certificates and compliance documents ready.
Start with CIPC
Begin with company registration verification.
Add SARS Verification
Submit your TCS-PIN for tax compliance verification.
Complete B-BBEE
Upload B-BBEE certificate for level verification.
Add Industry Credentials
Submit any sector-specific certifications.
Benefits of Verification
Higher Visibility
Verified businesses rank higher in search results.
Faster Onboarding
Buyers can skip due diligence steps for verified suppliers.
Credibility Signal
Trust badges show you're a legitimate, compliant business.
Reduced Risk
Buyers have confidence in your compliance status.
Trust Levels & Tender Eligibility
Your verification status determines your "Trust Level" on Okhantu, which directly impacts your eligibility for tenders and visibility to buyers.
- Account created
- Profile partially complete
Can browse tenders but cannot save or receive matches
- Public tender viewing only
- Profile complete
- CIPC pending or failed
Can save tenders and set basic alerts
- Tender alerts
- Basic search filters
- CIPC verified
- SARS TCS-PIN verified
Full tender matching, visible to buyers in marketplace
- Government tenders
- Quotation marketplace
- Buyer visibility
- CIPC + SARS verified
- B-BBEE verified
- Additional certs
Priority matching, featured in relevant searches, award-ready status
- Set-aside tenders
- Preferential procurement
- Featured supplier status
Government tenders require verification. Most government tenders require valid CIPC registration, tax clearance, and B-BBEE certificates. Without these verified on Okhantu, you won't appear in matched results for these opportunities.
How Verification Boosts Your Match Quality
MatchingOS uses your verification status as a key factor in determining which tenders to show you and how to rank your profile for buyers. Here's exactly how verification improves your matches:
CIPC Verification
+15% match scoreConfirms your company exists and is in good standing. Required for 90% of government tenders.
SARS TCS-PIN
+20% match scoreProves tax compliance. Mandatory for all National Treasury tenders over R30,000.
B-BBEE Certificate
+10-25% match scoreHigher B-BBEE levels get higher boosts. Level 1 gets maximum boost.
CSD Registration
+10% match scoreRequired for government suppliers. Auto-syncs with CSD status.
Industry Certifications
+5-15% per certCIDB, PSIRA, ISO certifications boost sector-specific matches.
Unverified supplier: Base match score of 50% for a construction tender
After CIPC: 65% (+15%)
After SARS: 85% (+20%)
After B-BBEE L2: 100% (+15%)
Result: Moves from "Potential" to "Hot" match tier
Verified vs Unverified: The Numbers
Data from businesses on Okhantu shows the real impact of verification on tender success and marketplace visibility.
Unverified Businesses
Fully Verified Businesses
The verification advantage is real. Fully verified businesses on Okhantu see 4x more relevant tender matches and are 3x more likely to make it past the initial compliance screening in government tenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does verification take?
Automated verifications (CIPC, SARS) typically complete within minutes. Manual reviews for documents may take 1-2 business days. You'll receive notifications at each step.
What if verification fails?
You'll receive a notification explaining why. Common issues include incorrect registration numbers, expired documents, or mismatched company names. Fix the issue and resubmit.
Do I need to verify everything?
No, but more verifications = more trust badges = higher visibility. At minimum, verify CIPC and SARS. Add others based on your target market's requirements.
Is my information secure?
Yes. We only store verification status, not your actual documents or registration numbers. All data is encrypted and handled in compliance with POPIA.
Next Steps
Ready to start verifying your business credentials?