Look up a company by number

    CRN number search (United Kingdom)

    Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.

    Search Company Records in United Kingdom

    3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamLast verified June 2026Primary source: Companies House

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in United Kingdom?

    Enter the CRN to look up a United Kingdom company directly on Companies House. Unlike a name search, an CRN returns exactly one entity, which is why it is the identifier to use for KYC, invoicing and contract checks.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the CRN on the paperwork

      The CRN normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the CRN

      Enter the number exactly as printed. Punctuation and spacing vary between documents — strip them if the search returns nothing.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at Companies House

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house.

      https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
    Open Companies HouseAll United Kingdom records

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a CRN in United Kingdom?

    It is the identifier Companies House assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a CRN lookup free?

    Yes. Looking up a company by CRN on Companies House is free and requires no account.

    What if the CRN returns no result?

    Re-enter it without spaces or punctuation first. If it still returns nothing, the number may be mistyped, belong to a different country's register, or not exist — ask the counterparty to confirm it in writing.

    Should I use the CRN or the company name?

    The CRN. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    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 look up a company by its registration number 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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