How to find a company number
Every UK company has a unique company registration number (CRN) issued by Companies House when it is incorporated. It never changes, even if the company changes its name.
What does a company number look like?
It always has 8 characters. Companies registered in England and Wales use 8 digits, often with leading zeros (for example 00445790). Other registers use a two-letter prefix:
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SC | Company registered in Scotland |
| NI | Company registered in Northern Ireland |
| OC / SO / NC | Limited liability partnership (England and Wales / Scotland / Northern Ireland) |
| LP / SL / NL | Limited partnership |
| FC / SF / NF | Overseas company with a UK establishment |
| OE | Overseas entity on the register of overseas entities |
| CE / CS | Charitable incorporated organisation |
| IP / SP / RS | Industrial and provident or registered society |
Where to find it
Search the company name on UK Company Lookup or on Companies House: the number is shown at the top of the company page. Companies must also show their registered number on their website, letters, order forms and invoices, so check the footer of their website or any invoice they sent you.
Company number vs. other numbers
The company number is not the same as the VAT registration number (9 digits, starting with GB), the Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR, 10 digits from HMRC) or the PAYE reference.
