Search the business registry

    United Kingdom business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Companies House at the official source

    Start with Companies House for United Kingdom. LemReveal has not established an available native register search for this page; indexed or secondary records are not complete register coverage.

    Open official portalRequest a record check

    Official access and fees vary. A human request is an enquiry, not a guaranteed extract or completed purchase.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Companies House

    How do I search the business registry in United Kingdom?

    Use Companies House as a starting source for United Kingdom, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include Private Limited (Ltd), Public Limited (PLC). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      Companies House records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      United Kingdom recognises Private Limited (Ltd), Public Limited (PLC). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    Open Companies HouseAll United Kingdom records

    United Kingdom: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Start with the exact Companies House company number. If you only have a name, compare the legal name and previous names, then open the company profile rather than treating the search-results list as confirmation.
    Confirm the entity
    Keep leading zeros and jurisdiction prefixes such as SC or NI. Compare the registered office and incorporation date with the counterparty's documents. A sole trader or trading brand may not have a Companies House record.

    Check current access and document options on the official Companies House site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the United Kingdom registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the United Kingdom business registry cover?

    Companies House records Private Limited (Ltd), Public Limited (PLC). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the United Kingdom business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in United Kingdom?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check Companies House's current terms.

    What if a United Kingdom business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    How do I look up a UK company?

    You can search by company name or registration number. Companies House provides free public access to all registered company data including directors, filing history, and accounts. Enter a name above to try it.

    People also ask about search the business registry in United Kingdom

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the United Kingdom company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Companies House are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official United Kingdom business registry?

    The Companies House is the official public register of companies incorporated in United Kingdom. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house.

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