Look up a VAT number

    How to check a UK VAT number

    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 October 2026Primary source: HMRC — Check a UK VAT number

    How do I validate a UK VAT number in United Kingdom?

    Use HMRC's Check a UK VAT number service for UK VAT validation. EU VIES is not a general GB VAT checker. Applicable Northern Ireland goods-trade registrations use the XI prefix for EU checks; company registration remains a separate Companies House inquiry.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Obtain the exact VAT number

      Ask the supplier for its VAT identifier; do not substitute a Companies House company number.

    2. 2

      Use HMRC for the UK check

      Enter the VAT number in the official UK service and record the returned validity and business details where supplied.

      https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number
    3. 3

      Identify an applicable XI check

      For relevant Northern Ireland goods transactions, consult the XI guidance before using VIES. XI and GB checks have different scope.

      https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-movements-of-goods-between-northern-ireland-and-the-eu
    4. 4

      Keep the evidence and check identity

      Save the source, timestamp and response. Compare the legal entity separately with Companies House; a service failure is not an invalid VAT finding.

    Open HMRC — Check a UK VAT numberAll 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

    Can VIES check a GB VAT number?

    Use HMRC's UK VAT checker for GB numbers. VIES is not a general UK VAT validation service; applicable XI registrations for Northern Ireland goods trade have separate rules.

    Is a company number the same as a VAT number?

    No. Companies House registration and HMRC VAT registration are separate identifiers and checks. A company record does not automatically include a VAT number.

    People also ask about validate a UK VAT 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/check-uk-vat-number.

    How do I check if a United Kingdom VAT number is valid?

    Use the EU VIES service (ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/) or the Companies House. Enter the VAT number without spaces and pick United Kingdom from the country dropdown. A valid number returns the registered trading name and address; an invalid one returns "not valid".

    What does a United Kingdom VAT number look like?

    A United Kingdom VAT number always begins with the country's ISO code and is followed by the national numeric identifier. The exact length and check-digit rule depends on the country — see the format examples in the step-by-step above.

    Related guides and tools

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