A company registration number is a unique identifier assigned to a business by Companies House that identifies the company and its legal status. Used for administrative purposes such as filing annual returns, maintaining company records, and dealing with official checks, it is usually seven or eight digits long, with the first two or three characters often showing where the business is registered.
If you are setting up a company in the UK, registering one, or trying to understand what your legal obligations are, this guide explains how company registration works, which business types need to register, what documents you need, and the main benefits and drawbacks of operating as a limited company.
Do All Companies Need A Registration Number?
Before a limited company business can operate in the United Kingdom, it must first register with Companies House. This is the government body responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies and maintaining statutory records of company ownership and directors. Companies House also issues certificates of good standing, which are required for businesses to tender for public sector contracts.
Whether your business needs a registration number or not will depend on the company formation type you choose. A Company Registration Number identifies an incorporated legal entity, which distinguishes it from sole traders and the self-employed, who do not need to register their business with Companies House as they are legally the same entity. Sole traders will instead have other types of unique identifiers, such as a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), because they register with HMRC for Self-Assessment instead. This is used to pay income tax and National Insurance on their earnings after completing a Self Assessment Tax Return.
All other types of companies in England and Wales must be registered with Companies House. This includes private limited companies, public limited companies, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships.
How To Register
If you want to set up a company in the United Kingdom, you will need to obtain a company registration number CRN from Companies House, also called the companies house number, when a new limited company is incorporated. It is assigned automatically during incorporation as a unique code and unique number you cannot choose. Companies House also maintains a public register of all companies, and the companies house public register can be searched by the company name or number to identify an existing company and confirm its CRN.
This is a simple process that can be completed online for a fee of £100. Once you have your registration number, you will be able to commence trading but must also register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to do business.
Click here to understand how to register a limited company
Documents & Information That You Will Need To Register
Government Gateway user ID and password
At least 3 pieces of information about each shareholder and the person registering the business. Choose from; the town of birth, mother’s maiden name, father’s first name, telephone number, national insurance number, and passport number.
Once a company is registered, it will be assigned a unique company number and this number must be used on all official documents, such as annual reports and accounts.
Other Ways To Register
As well as registering a limited company online, there are also options to do this by post, via a company formation agent or company secretarial agents, or using third-party software if you have registered for an online filing account.
If you DON’T want the word ‘Limited’ in your business name, then you will need to register by post using form IN01. Postal applications take 8 to 10 days and cost £124 (paid by cheque made out to ‘Companies House’).
Limited Company Business Structure Overview
There are four types of business structures that need to register with Companies House: private companies limited by shares, private companies limited by guarantee, public limited companies, and unlimited companies.
These incorporated structures receive a CRN, unlike sole traders and ordinary partnerships, and it helps official bodies identify the business even if its name, address, or business activities change later.
Each type of company has different requirements for registration, so it is important to check the relevant legislation before applying, and a brief overview of each structure is included below.
What Are Private Companies Limited By Shares?
A private company limited by shares is the most common type of business entity in the United Kingdom. This type of company is ‘limited’ because it has shareholders who have limited liability for the debts of the company. The shares are issued to raise capital for the company and can be traded on a stock exchange or sold privately.
What Are Private Companies Limited By Guarantee?
A private company limited by guarantee is a type of company often used by charities, clubs, and associations. The members of the company agree to pay a fixed amount (the ‘guarantee’) if the company is wound up.
What Are Public Limited Companies?
A public limited company (PLC) can offer shares to the public and is usually quoted on a stock exchange. A PLC must have a minimum share capital of £50,000 and must meet certain other conditions set out in the Companies Act 2006.
What Are Unlimited Companies?
An unlimited company does not have shareholders but may have members who have ‘unlimited liability’. This means that they are liable for the debts of the company if it cannot pay its creditors.
Unlimited companies are relatively rare and are usually only used by businesses that want to avoid the restrictions that apply to other types of companies.
Benefits To Limited Company Structures
Benefits of setting up a limited company, include;
Limited liability: shareholders are only liable for the amount of money they have invested in the company. This protects them from being held responsible for the debts of the company if it cannot pay its creditors.
Flexibility: a limited company can be set up with different types of share structures to suit the needs of the business.
Tax efficiency: a limited company can claim certain tax reliefs and allowances that are not available to other types of business.
Status: a limited company may be seen as more professional than a sole trader or partnership.
Drawbacks To Limited Company Structures
Drawbacks to setting up a limited company include;
Complexity: a limited company is more complex to set up and run than a sole trader or partnership. There are more legal and financial obligations that need to be met.
Cost: a limited company costs more to set up than a sole trader or partnership.
Bureaucracy: a limited company is subject to more regulation than a sole trader or partnership. This can be seen as a disadvantage as it can be time-consuming and costly to comply with all the requirements.
If you work with a company formation agent when setting up your business, they will ensure that you choose the right business structure, can assist with the incorporation of the company, and help to register it with HMRC. This ensures that you register the business correctly and obtain the necessary licenses and permits for your area of work and can be a great professional help in the set up of a new company.
How Are Company Registration Numbers Used?
This number is assigned by Companies House when you register your company. You can register your company online or through a company formation agent. Once registered, the company’s CRN identifies the company’s legal identity and legal entity on the public record.
Companies House is a government agency responsible for maintaining records of all registered companies. The records include information on the directors and shareholders of the company, as well as the company’s financial statements and registered address. Properly registering your business in this way will allow you to legally operate your business, and government bodies, banks, clients, suppliers, and other organisations use the CRN to verify the company, which helps confirm legitimacy for clients and suppliers.
The number is often used by banks and other financial institutions when opening a business account or extending credit. Under the 2015 regulations, it must be included on business documents, order forms, and your website, and CRN identifies the company for compliance checks and formal disclosures. It is also used by HMRC when filing your company’s annual return, and failing to display it can lead to fines or delays.
When you register your company, you will be given a certificate of incorporation. This document will contain the company registration number as well as other important information about your company. It is advisable to keep this document in a safe place as it may be required for future reference.
For example, LLPs often have registration numbers starting with OC followed by 6 digits.
Do I Need To Update My Registration?
Companies must keep their Companies House record up to date through statutory filings, including confirmation statements. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties, so it is essential for all businesses operating in the UK to ensure that they are properly updating their registration documents.
You should update your company record in the following circumstances:
Changing the name of your company or limited liability partnership
Changing your registered office address or SAIL address
Appointing and removing a company secretary, and keeping officer details current
Appointing and removing limited liability partnership members, and updating officer details where required
Changing your accounting reference date (ARD)
Filing copies of resolutions
Adding or removing a company director, and keeping officer details up to date
Selling shares Issuing dividend vouchers to shareholders
Dissolving your company or LLP
Changing the trading status of your company from active to dormant
How Can You Find Your Company Registration Number?
Following your registration, you should be able to find your company registration number on the initial documents sent to you when the company was formed. Official correspondence with Companies House, such as letters or emails will also contain this information.
If you can’t find these documents, you can use the public register to search the Companies House’s records by company name to find your company registration number. The CRN appears on the Companies House public register, certificate of incorporation, and official correspondence. Your registration number can also be found on various documents, including the company’s articles of association, shareholder certificates, annual returns, VAT Returns, and account filings, and it appears on company websites and marketing materials, including headed paper, because limited companies and LLPs are legally required to display their CRN on all forms of official business stationery. It is often eight characters or eight numbers, though some entities use prefixes with six numbers. Scottish companies use SC plus six numbers, while companies in Northern Ireland use NI plus six digits; LLPs often use OC plus six digits. The CRN continues unchanged even if company details are updated or the business becomes dormant.
If you are unsure where to find your company’s registration number, you can contact Companies House, the government agency responsible for maintaining records of all businesses in the UK.
Can You Make Changes And Does The Registration Expire?
Your company registration number is assigned to you when you first register your business and is used for official purposes, such as filing annual accounts and complying with tax obligations. It can be changed in certain circumstances but it doesn’t expire until you officially register your business as closed with Companies House.
For example, if you’re changing the name of your business or merging with another company, you’ll need to update your registration number to reflect the new name or structure. In most cases, only the registered office address and director details need to be updated with Companies House; the registration number will be automatically updated.
You can also change your registration number if it’s been compromised in some way – for example, if it’s been made public without your permission. In these cases, you’ll need to contact Companies House (the government agency responsible for issuing registration numbers) and request a new number.
If you need to change your company registration number for any other reason, you can do so by contacting Companies House directly and they will action your request. It’s important to note that changing your company registration number won’t affect any of your existing contracts or agreements but it’s always a good idea to update your registered address and contact details with Companies House so that other businesses and organisations can easily get in touch with you.
Related Questions
What Is Companies House?
Any company registered in the UK must be on the Companies House Register. This is a government database of all limited companies in the UK, and it includes information about each company’s directors, shareholders, and financial history. Companies House is also responsible for issuing share certificates, filing annual reports, and managing the dissolution of companies serving as an insolvency service provider. This means that it deals with bankruptcies and other company-related debts. In short, Companies House plays a vital role in ensuring that businesses in the UK are run transparently and efficiently.
Where Should Your Registered Office Address Be?
Choosing the right registered office address is an important decision for any business owner. The registered office address is the official address of a company, and it must be displayed on all company documentation, including letterheads and websites. It is also the address that will be used for any legal correspondence.
Many new businesses opt to use their home address as their registered office address, but there are a few things to consider before making this choice. Using a home address can make it difficult to keep business and personal matters separate as your home address will be publicly listed on company documentation. If you have a physical shop, warehouse or office where you run your business, you should use this address but another option is to use the address of your accountant or solicitor (it is important to check that your chosen professional is happy for their address to be used in this way), or a serviced office address.
What Company Details Do I Need To Get A Registration Number?
To register a company, you must provide certain details to Companies House. These include the company name, registered address, contact details of the director and secretary, a description of the business activity, and, where relevant, separate tax identifiers used for compliance. Unlike a CRN, a Unique Taxpayer Reference, [VAT number], and [PAYE reference] are used for different HMRC purposes. In addition, you will need to pay a fee to the registrar.
The process of registration can be completed online or by mail. The [Companies House authentication code] is different from the CRN and is a private code used for online filing. Once the registrar has all the required information, they will assign a unique registration number to your company. This number must be displayed on all official documents and correspondence. It helps customers and suppliers [identify] the company, while tax references are used for HMRC processes.
A company registration number is a unique identifier assigned to a business by Companies House that identifies the company and its legal status. Used for administrative purposes such as filing annual returns, maintaining company records, and dealing with official checks, it is usually seven or eight digits long, with the first two or three characters often showing where the business is registered.
If you are setting up a company in the UK, registering one, or trying to understand what your legal obligations are, this guide explains how company registration works, which business types need to register, what documents you need, and the main benefits and drawbacks of operating as a limited company.
There are four types of business structures that need to register with Companies House: private companies limited by shares, private companies limited by guarantee, public limited companies, and unlimited companies.
These incorporated structures receive a CRN, unlike sole traders and ordinary partnerships, and it helps official bodies identify the business even if its name, address, or business activities change later.
Each type of company has different requirements for registration, so it is important to check the relevant legislation before applying, and a brief overview of each structure is included below.
This number is assigned by Companies House when you register your company. You can register your company online or through a company formation agent. Once registered, the company’s CRN identifies the company’s legal identity and legal entity on the public record.
Companies House is a government agency responsible for maintaining records of all registered companies. The records include information on the directors and shareholders of the company, as well as the company’s financial statements and registered address. Properly registering your business in this way will allow you to legally operate your business, and government bodies, banks, clients, suppliers, and other organisations use the CRN to verify the company, which helps confirm legitimacy for clients and suppliers.
The number is often used by banks and other financial institutions when opening a business account or extending credit. Under the 2015 regulations, it must be included on business documents, order forms, and your website, and CRN identifies the company for compliance checks and formal disclosures. It is also used by HMRC when filing your company’s annual return, and failing to display it can lead to fines or delays.
When you register your company, you will be given a certificate of incorporation. This document will contain the company registration number as well as other important information about your company. It is advisable to keep this document in a safe place as it may be required for future reference.
