Get an official company extract

    How to get a certificate of incorporation (United Kingdom company extract)

    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 get an official company extract in United Kingdom?

    Start with Companies House at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house to identify the entity and available certificate of incorporation. An ordinary extract, historical filing and certified copy are different documents. Check the recipient's requirements and official access conditions before ordering. A LemReveal PDF is not a government-certified extract.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Confirm the entity first

      Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.

    2. 2

      Choose the evidence required

      Ask the recipient whether it needs an ordinary extract, historical filing, certified copy, translation or legalisation. A free summary is not automatically sufficient.

    3. 3

      Follow the official document route

      Use https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house to find the issuing authority or authorised service and its current fees. Check what the document actually certifies.

      https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
    4. 4

      Check the issue date

      Ask what issue date the recipient accepts; there is no universal three-month validity period. Retain the issue date, retrieval date and source.

    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

    Do I need a paid extract to verify a United Kingdom company?

    Compare available public information with official document options and the recipient's requirements. Free lookup does not guarantee complete or certified evidence.

    What does a United Kingdom company extract contain?

    Contents vary by document. Check whether it covers current identity, officers, representation or historical filings. A registration certificate does not necessarily describe today's appointments.

    Is a LemReveal PDF an official extract?

    No. It is a third-party research record. Obtain an official or certified document through the relevant authority or authorised service when required.

    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 get an official company extract 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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