Where do I Find My Company Registration Number?
A company registration number (CRN) is a business unique identifier that proves they have registered with Companies House. This number is a combination of numbers and letters in cases unique to businesses registered in the UK.
The CRN applies to companies registered at the Companies House, such as limited liability partnerships and limited companies. Sole proprietorships have no company registration numbers since they're not registered this way.
But where can you find your company registered number or Companies House number? This blog will discuss where to find the company registration number, how to obtain it, and where and when to display it.
How to Obtain a Company Registration Number
The Companies House automatically assigns the CRN once your company is formed. There are three ways you can obtain your business CRN.
- Online: In this process, you pay £12 via card. You must also provide personal information like your passport number, place of birth, and national insurance number. This is a straightforward way to register your company. It takes about 24 hours.
- Through post: this is an expensive option, and it takes longer. You must pay £40 for the postal application process, which takes eight to ten days. If you want your company not to include the limited name, you must register using this process.
- Through UK formation companies: according to your formation service, the company formation cost may vary. This option is ideal for first-time business owners and helps save time.
You cannot select the numbers you'd like to appear on your CRN or change them once you have been assigned.
The registration involves submitting documents as:
- Article of association
- Memorandum of associations
- Name of director
- Name of shareholders
- Registration fee
After submitting these documents and getting approved, the Companies House assigns your business the company number.
Some businesses need additional requirements like licences, such as those of businesses in regulated industries such as healthcare and finance. So, research your business industry before the company formation process.
Your business can change its name, directors or shareholders, and primary activity, but the CN will remain the same as long as the company exists. Having the same company registration number is a principal way that Companies House will use to identify your company after the changes.
Where do I Find My Company Registration Number?
Knowing where to find the CRN is essential for every UK business owner.
The easiest way to find it is by looking at your business's official documents like Companies House correspondence or your registration certificate. These documents contain important details about your company.
In case you've misplaced the documents, you can get them by visiting the Companies House website. The companies register allows the public to view business information registered in the UK, meaning you can easily find your company registration number.
You can also get your CRN from the company formation agent that helped you register your company. These companies keep your company's important documents. So, if you used a company formation agent to register your company, contact them to find your CRN.
Company Registration Number Format
Different states have different registration numbers in the UK; for example:
Companies registered in Wales and England have a CRN 8 characters long, starting with a 0. However, the 0 is omitted in some places, like Limited Liability Company, which starts with OC followed by six numbers.
In Scotland, the CRN for limited companies begins with SC and LLP, which starts with SO, followed by six numbers.
Northern Ireland also uses a similar format, but their CRN starts with NI followed by six numbers.
The old Northern Irish companies have their CRN starting with an R followed by seven digits. This will not change since a company's CRN cannot be changed or updated.
Other types of CRNs reserved for specialised companies, such as Royal Charter (RC), do not apply to any limited company.
Examples of companies' registration numbers in a table:
When do I Need My Company Registration Number?
The company registration number is important, and you need to provide it in the following instances:
1. With Companies House
- Changing business name or registered office address
- Changing or setting up the SAIL address
- Changing statutory records locations from SAIL address to registered office or vice versa
- Appointing or removing a company secretary or director or an LLP member
- Filing annual accounts
- Submitting a confirmation statement
- Submitting copies of resolutions
- Altering the company's accounting reference date
- When communicating with shareholders, such as issuing share certificates
Additionally, Companies House will require your company registration number when you make inquiries.
2. HMRC inquiries
- You must provide your CRN when:
- Registering for corporation tax, submitting tax returns, and fulfilling tax obligations
- Registering the company for VAT, filing VAT returns, and meeting VAT requirements
- Enrolling in PAYE and filing relevant reports
- Submitting company accounts
- Informing the HMRC about the dormant status of a new or existing company
- You will also need your CRN whenever you're making any other inquiry to HMRC
3. Other occasions
- When communicating with other government departments
- Opening a company bank account
- Applying for credit
- Issuing share certificates to members or dividend vouchers
- When communicating with members or parties about business
Form Your Company with Incorpuk Today
At Incorpuk, we will help you through the company formation process and file your confirmation statements to help your business stay compliant. Whether you're a UK resident or a non-UK resident, our team is ready to provide guidance and help you establish your company in the UK. Contact us here today.
Where to Display Company Registration Number
After obtaining your CRN, you need to display it on certain documents. Remember to display your CRN on official correspondence. This establishes credibility with your customers and clients seeking to verify your company's legitimacy.
You must display your CRN in the following materials:
- Letterheads
- Emails
- Faxes
- Compliments slips
- Leaflets and flyers
- Order forms
- Catalogues
- Advertisements
- Websites and other online materials
These disclosure rules apply regardless of whether the mentioned communications are in print, electronic, digital, or any other format. While the company registration number and other necessary details don't need to be on every page of a document or website, they must be easily viewed and located.
These regulations aim to enable anyone engaging with a company to confirm its legal identity.
Failure to adhere to these disclosure requirements can result in fines for the company and its officers.
What is the Difference Between Your Company Registration Number and Other Numbers?
When running your company, several numbers play crucial roles. It's essential to understand these numbers and avoid mixing them up with your company registration number:
- Unique taxpayer reference: the HMRC issues the UTR. The number consists of 10 digits, for example (0987654321). It is used as a unique company identifier for tax-related purposes.
- VAT number: also issued by the HMRC for businesses registered for value-added tax. VAT numbers consist of nine digits starting with a GB, for example, GB987654321.
- Companies House authentication code: Companies House issues a six-character alphanumeric code after registration. This code allows you access to the WebFiling system. It enables you to change your company details. It looks like A2BD2F.
- Accounts office reference(AORN): this is a 13-character unique number that HMRC uses to link employers' PAYE payments to online PAYE accounts. This number is issued with ERN. You can easily confuse these numbers since they appear on P11Ds, P60s, P45s, and payslips. An AORN begins with three numbers followed by the uppercase, for example, 269PX0021323X.
- Employer reference number: When employers register for PAYE (Pay As You Earn) with HMRC, they receive a reference number. This reference number comprises three digits at the beginning, indicating the relevant tax office for PAYE matters. It is followed by a forward slash and an employer reference identifying the specific tax office, for example, 345/AB123.
Remember, these other numbers may change due to factors like relocation or rebranding, but the Company Registration Number remains unchanged for the entirety of your company's lifespan. This permanence guarantees consistency in your legal identity within the business realm.
Another difference is that these other numbers are required for specific activities like VAT for trading internationally; a CRN is needed to run your company, from entering contracts to filing annual accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the company registration number in the UK?
If you misplace your CRN, you can find it on your business certificate of incorporation, official correspondence with Companies House, emails, or emails from your company formation agent.
Is the UK company registration number the same as the VAT number?
CRN is not the same as the VAT number. Companies House assigns the company registration number upon registration of your business, while HMRC issues the VAT. VAT number is for VAT-related matters; each number serves distinct purposes in a company.
How can you check if a company is registered in the United Kingdom?
If you want to confirm if a company is registered in the UK, you can check it on the public record of companies registered in the UK with Companies House. You can also check other information such as directors, shareholders, and registered office address
Winding Up
The business registration number is a vital number you get once your company's registration is complete. The Companies House randomly generates this unique identifier, so you can't modify it or choose the numbers to be included. The CRN is a legal requirement that doesn't change throughout your company's lifespan, regardless of whether you change your company's details or officials.
This eight-number identifier can contain two letters followed by six or eight digits, depending on the state you registered or the entity type. If you misplace the CRN, you can find it displayed on your business certificate of incorporation. You're required to display it on your company materials, including your website. Do you have any questions about the Company Registration Number (CRN)? Kindly contact one of our experts at Incorpuk here.