What is a company registration number?
The company registration number (CRN) is a unique string of eight characters assigned to a company during incorporation. Its primary purpose is to identify the company and confirm its legal status as a registered entity at Companies House – essentially recognizing it as a ‘legal person’ in its own right.
This number is also known as a ‘company number’, ‘Companies House registration number’, ‘registered number’, or simply a ‘CRN’. Companies House automatically generates and allocates it, meaning you cannot choose or change it.
How do I find my company registration number (CRN)?
You can find your CRN in a variety of places, including:
- The certificate of incorporation issued by Companies House to companies upon incorporation.
- Letters, emails, and other statutory documentation received from Companies House
- Online, within your company listing on the official public register of company information, via Companies House Service
- Most company-related correspondence received from your accountant or company formation agent (if applicable)
- On a change of name certificate, if you have changed your company name after incorporation
- Through the Startxpress Company Operating System
To find your company registration number online, go to the Companies House Service website, enter the full company name in the search box, and click the search icon.
Your company listing will appear in the search results, displaying the registration number underneath. To view your full company record, click on your company name.
Company registration number formats
A company registration number (CRN) consists of either eight digits or two letters followed by six digits. The specific format depends on the company’s structure and its place of incorporation.
HMRC assigns eight-digit CRNs to limited companies incorporated in England and Wales. In Scotland, company registration numbers consist of six digits prefixed with the letters ‘SC’.
In Northern Ireland, CRNs consist of six digits prefixed with ‘NI’. However, older Northern Irish companies formed before partition have an alphanumeric prefix ‘R0’, followed by six additional digits.
Take a look at the table below for some examples of different company registration number formats.
| Jurisdiction of Incorporation | Company Type | Example CRN Format |
|---|---|---|
| England & Wales, or Wales only | Limited company | 01234567 |
| Limited liability partnership | OC123456 | |
| Limited partnership | LP123456 | |
| N. Ireland | Limited company (post-partition) | NI123456 |
| Older (pre-partition) companies | R0123456 | |
| Limited liability partnership | NC123456 | |
| Limited partnership | NL123456 | |
| Scotland | Limited company | SC123456 |
| Limited liability partnership | SO123456 | |
| Limited partnership | SL123456 |
There are also other formats for company registration numbers used by more specialized types of companies and organizations, such as assurance, investment, Royal Charter, and foreign companies.
Who needs a company registration number?
Only businesses and organisations incorporated or registered at Companies House receive a company registration number (CRN). This includes companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, public limited companies (PLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited partnerships (LPs).
Therefore, if your business falls into one of these categories, you will be issued a CRN upon registration.
Do sole traders and partnerships need a company registration number?
Sole traders and ordinary (general) business partnerships do not require a company registration number (CRN) because they are not obligated to register or incorporate with Companies House.
Unlike companies, these business structures are not separate legal entities from their owners, meaning their details are not publicly recorded. Instead, sole traders and ordinary partnerships only need to register with HMRC and are taxed through Self Assessment. This makes their registration and reporting process simpler compared to incorporated entities like companies.
When does a company registration number need to be used?
There are numerous instances where you will need to use or provide your CRN, which we detail below.
Dealing with Companies House
- Filing and updating a confirmation statement (previously the annual return)
- Preparing annual accounts
- Changing the company’s accounting reference date (ARD)
- Updating your company information, including:
- changing the company name
- changing the registered office address
- registering a SAIL address or changing an existing one
- moving statutory records from the registered office to a SAIL address, or vice versa
- electing to keep statutory registers at Companies House instead of at the registered office or SAIL address
- reporting new appointments or resignations of company officers (i.e., directors, company secretaries, LLP members)
- changing the registered details of existing officers
- changes to ‘people with significant control’ (PSC) information
- altering the articles of association
- Filing copies of company resolutions
- Issuing new shares, or transferring existing shares
- Updating information relating to company mortgages (‘charges’)
- Winding up (closing) the company
Dealing with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Registering for business taxes, including Corporation Tax, VAT, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
- Filing Company Tax Returns, VAT Returns, and PAYE reports
- Paying company taxes, such as Corporation Tax, VAT, and Income Tax and National Insurance contributions through PAYE
- Registering for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
- Reporting a dormant trading status
General company administration
- Setting up a business bank account
- Applying for a business loan, credit account, or lease in the company name
- Creating share certificates
- Creating dividend vouchers
- Designing company stationery and promotional material
Additionally, you may need to provide your company registration number (CRN) when making company-related enquiries to Companies House, HMRC, the courts, or other government departments. Furthermore, institutions or businesses with whom your company has official dealings, such as suppliers and service providers, may also request your CRN for identification and verification purposes.
Is a company registration number the same as a company tax number?
It is a common misconception, but a company registration number (CRN) is not the same as a company tax number.
CRNs are issued by Companies House as unique identifiers for individual companies on the public register, while company tax numbers are 10-digit codes assigned by HMRC to track a company’s tax records.
Officially, a company tax number is called a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). Sometimes, it may be referred to as a ‘tax number’ or ‘tax reference’. This UTR is essential for managing tax obligations and correspondence with HMRC.
- Is my company number the same as my tax number?
- Do UK companies have Tax Identification Numbers (TINs)?
You don’t need to apply for a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) – HMRC is automatically notified by Companies House when new companies are formed. As a result, your company’s UTR will be generated and sent to your registered office a few weeks after incorporation.
Likewise, don’t confuse your company registration number (CRN) with your VAT number, employer PAYE reference number, Government Gateway User ID, company authentication code, or any other reference number your company may receive. Each serves a distinct purpose in managing different aspects of your business.
Where does the registration number need to be displayed?
According to The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015, which outlines corporate transparency and disclosure requirements, companies (including LLPs and LPs) must display their company registration number (CRN) on business letters, order forms, and websites.
This means you are legally required to show your CRN on the following forms of official company stationery, correspondence, and promotional materials:
- Letterheads
- Emails
- Faxes
- Order forms
- Compliments slips
- Leaflets and flyers
- Catalogues
- Advertisements
- Websites and any other online material
This disclosure requirement applies regardless of whether the communications are presented in hard copy, electronic, digital, or any other form. While the company registration number and other details subject to disclosure do not need to appear on every page of a document or website, they must be easy to find and visible to the naked eye.
The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that anyone who has (or may wish to have) dealings with a particular company can easily verify its legal identity.
Failure to comply with these disclosure requirements can result in fines for the company and its officers. Consequently, it’s essential to follow these regulations to avoid penalties.
Will I get a new registration number if I change my company name?
Your company registration number (CRN) will remain unchanged if you decide to change your company name. The CRN stays the same throughout the entire lifetime of the company.
Once the name change is processed, Companies House will issue a ‘certificate of incorporation on change of name’. This document will show both the old and new company names, along with the company registration number and the date of the change.
Importantly, this certificate does not replace your original certificate of incorporation, so it’s essential to retain both documents as part of your company records.
What happens if I lose my company registration number?
If you forget or lose your company registration number, there’s no need to worry. You can find it in several places, including:
- The certificate of incorporation
- Statutory mail received from Companies House and HMRC
- Online via the Companies House Service
- Startxpress Company Operating System
Do you have any other questions?
The Company Registration Number (CRN) is crucial for verifying and identifying your business with Companies House. It is essential to include it in all official communications and legal documents to ensure compliance. Understanding its role helps your company meet legal obligations without hassle.
For more information on CRNs or other business essentials, visit the Startxpress Help Center and Blog. If you need personalized assistance, we’re always available to support you at support@startxpress.io!
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