A guide to the company registration number (2024)

Last updated: 26 Oct 2022

What is a company registration number?

The company registration number is a unique string of eight characters assigned to a company during the incorporation process. Its purpose is to identify the company and verify that it has been incorporated at Companies House as a legal entity (i.e., a ‘legal person’ in its own right).

The company registration number is also referred to as a ‘company number’, a ‘Companies House registration number’, a ‘registered number’, or simply a ‘CRN’. It is automatically generated and allocated by Companies House, so you cannot choose it 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)
  • Through 1st Formations free Online Company Manager – you can register a free account with us, even if you’re not a client
  • On a change of name certificate, if you have changed your company name after incorporation

To find your company registration number online, simply visit Companies House Service, type the full company name into the search box, and click on the search icon.

Your company listing will appear in the results, with the registration number displayed underneath. If you want to view your full company record, click on your company name.

Company registration number formats

A CRN consists of 8 figures (numbers) or 2 letters followed by 6 figures. The exact combination depends on the company structure and where it is incorporated.

Limited companies incorporated in England & Wales are always assigned 8-figure CRNs. In Scotland, company registration numbers contain 6 figures, prefixed with the letters ‘SC’.

In Northern Ireland, CRNs contain 6 numbers, with the prefix ‘NI’. However, older Northern Irish companies formed pre-partition have the alphanumeric prefix ‘R0’, followed by 6 additional numbers.

Take a look at the table below for some examples of different company registration number formats.

Jurisdiction of incorporationCompany typeExample CRN format
England & Wales, or Wales onlyLimited company

Limited liability partnership

Limited partnership

01234567

OC123456

LP123456

N. IrelandLimited company (post-partition)

Older (pre-partition) companies

Limited liability partnership

Limited partnership

NI123456

R0123456

NC123456

NL123456

ScotlandLimited company

Limited liability partnership

Limited partnership

SC123456

SO123456

SL123456

Other company registration number formats also exist for more specialist types of companies and organisations, 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 are provided with a company registration number.

This includes companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, public limited companies (PLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited partnerships (LPs).

Do sole traders and partnerships need a company registration number?

Sole traders and ordinary (general) business partnerships do not need a company registration number, because they are not required to register or incorporate at Companies House.

Unlike companies, these business structures are not legal entities with separate identities from their owners, nor are their details a matter of public record. Instead, sole traders and ordinary partnerships register only with HMRC and are taxed through Self Assessment.

When does a company registration number need to be used?

There are many occasions when you will need to use or provide your CRN, which we outline below.

Dealing with Companies House

  • Filing and updating aconfirmation 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

A guide to the company registration number (1)A guide to the company registration number (2)

Dealing with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

  • Registering forbusiness taxes, including Corporation Tax, VAT, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
  • Filing Company Tax Returns, VAT Returns, and PAYE reports
  • Paying company taxes, including 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 CRN when making any other company-related enquiries to Companies House,

HMRC, the courts, other government departments or bodies, and any institutions or businesses with whom your company has official dealings, such as suppliers and service providers.

Is a company registration number the same as a company tax number?

This is a common misconception, but a company registration number 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, whereas company tax numbers are unique 10-digit codes that HMRC assigns to companies to track their tax records.

Officially, a company tax number is referred to as a company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference, or ‘UTR’. Sometimes, it will simply be called a ‘tax number’ or ‘tax reference’.

  • Is my company number the same as my tax number?
  • Do UK companies have Tax Identification Numbers (TINs)?

You don’t have to apply for one – HMRC is notified by Companies House when new companies are formed. So, your company’s UTR will be automatically generated and sent to your registered office a few weeks after incorporation.

Likewise, do not confuse your company registration number with your VAT number, employer PAYE reference number, Government Gateway User ID, company authentication code, or any other number or reference that your company may be provided with.

Where does the registration number need to be displayed?

In accordance with The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015, which sets out corporate transparency and disclosure requirements, companies (which includes LLPs and LPs) must display their CRN on business letters, order forms, and websites.

Specifically, this means that you are legally required to show your CRN on the following forms of official company stationery, correspondence, and promotional material:

  • Letterheads
  • Emails
  • Faxes
  • Order forms
  • Compliments slips
  • Leaflets and flyers
  • Catalogues
  • Advertisem*nts
  • Websites and any other online material

This disclosure requirement applies irrespective of whether the aforementioned communications are presented in hard copy, electronic, digital, or any other form.

A guide to the company registration number (3)A guide to the company registration number (4)

The company registration number – and all other details that fall under the purview of company disclosure requirements – does not have to be displayed on every page of a document or website. However, it 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 is able to verify the legal identity of that company.

The company and its officers can be fined if they fail to comply with these disclosure requirements.

Will I get a new registration number if I change my company name?

There will be no change to your CRN if you change your company name. It remains the same for the entire lifetime of the company.

You will simply receive a ‘certificate of incorporation on change of name’ from Companies House. This document will show the old and new company names, the company registration number, and the date of the change.

This certificate does not replace your original certificate of incorporation, so you must retain both documents with 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 any of the places outlined at the beginning of this post, including:

  • The certificate of incorporation
  • Statutory mail received from Companies House and HMRC
  • Online via Companies House Service
  • 1st Formations free Online Company Manager

Our Online Company Manager service is available to clients and non-clients alike.

  1. Existing customers can simply enter their login details to access their company data, including their company registration number
  2. Non-clients can create an account free of charge, import an existing company and manage it online

You can access this free facility at any time to view and update your company details, download company documents, report changes to Companies House, and much more.

A guide to the company registration number (2024)

FAQs

Is a company reg number the same as ein? ›

Corporations and LLCs receive a corporate number upon approval of their articles of incorporation. This number is equivalent to the federal (TIN) or an EIN.

Where can I find my CRN? ›

You can find your CRN on Centrelink letters, your concession card or in your Centrelink online account.

How do you check if a company is legally registered in US? ›

Check with the State Business Department

The first way to check registration is by visiting the state's website and looking for their registry of businesses. Note that the entity name check should always occur in the state where the business was incorporated, not necessarily where it is currently active.

How do I register my business name in NY? ›

You must file the certificate in the office of the County Clerk in the county where your business is located. Get the Certificate of Assumed Name form. You can also get the form at the County Clerk's office in your borough. For sole proprietors and general partnerships, the filing fee varies by county.

Is a tax registration number the same as a tax ID? ›

What is the difference? My understanding Tax Payer ID is for the US Customers. And Tax Registration Number is for Non-US Countries' customers. Also Taxpayer ID is available in Customer Search where as Tax Registration Number is not.

What is the difference between EIN and tax registration number? ›

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity.

Is CRN the same as company number? ›

A CRN (company registration number) is a unique code that Companies House uses to help it quickly and correctly identify a company. A company registration number remains the same for the life of the company.

How many digits are in CRN number? ›

A Course Reference Number (CRN) is a unique 5 digit identifier assigned to a class for registration purposes.

Is CRN number an ID number? ›

Unified Multi Purpose ID (UMID)

It has a Common Reference Number (CRN) which is required for the issuance of a UMID – Compliant Card. This CRN serves as the link to the ID numbers of SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig. GSIS secures this CRN from the Social Security System (SSS).

How do you verify a company? ›

Check the company's website
  1. Check spelling and grammar. ...
  2. Check for a business address and landline number. ...
  3. Check for a Privacy Policy. ...
  4. Check for a company number. ...
  5. Check the WHOIS database.

Is there a way to verify a company? ›

If the company has no references or refuses to provide some, choose another company.
  1. Better Business Bureau: Search BBB Business Reviews.
  2. Glo-Bis: Information on Any Company, Anywhere in the World.
  3. Export.gov: Due Diligence Reports.
  4. Department of Commerce: Home Page.
  5. EIN Finder: Find an EIN.
  6. White Pages: Search.

How do I find a company registration number in USA? ›

This can be found on your registration documents or any documents you receive from the registrar such as account reminders. More information on this number can be found through the Secretary of State or State website. Please note, this is not your EIN or State Tax ID number.

What is a business registration in NY? ›

NYS business registration refers to registration of a business entity operating in the state of New York. Regardless of the type of business structure you want to register, i.e. partnership, LLC, or corporation, there are some steps to take before formally registering your business.

Do I need a business license if I have an LLC in New York? ›

New York General Business License

But good news: New York doesn't require a general license to do business in the state. Meaning, your New York LLC doesn't need a general state business license. But depending on what type of business you run, your LLC might need an occupational license.

How much does it cost to register a business in NY? ›

Filing the Articles of Organization

By mail, send the completed Articles of Organization with the filing fee of $200 to the New York State Department of State, Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12231.

Is my SSN my tax ID number? ›

A Social Security number (SSN) is a taxpayer identification number issued by the Social Security Administration. Individuals who are employed in the U.S. must have a Social Security number to file an income tax return.

Is an EIN number public information? ›

No, EINs are not kept confidential and are a matter of public record. Therefore, it is important that you keep your EIN safe and secure to ensure that no one attempts to commit fraud by using your EIN.

Is your taxpayer number your tax ID? ›

An individual taxpayer identification number, or ITIN, is a nine-digit tax ID number for nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses and their dependents who cannot get a Social Security number and are required to file taxes or have a tax ID number.

Is EIN and LLC number the same? ›

No, LLC and EIN aren't interchangeable. LLC refers to a type of company, and EINs are tax IDs that apply to LLCs and other business models.

What's the difference between LLC and EIN number? ›

Your EIN identifies your business for tax purposes, and it can act as a social security number for a business. A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business structure that protects business owners from having personal responsibility for the business's liabilities and debts.

Do I need both EIN and TIN? ›

A TIN—whether an SSN, EIN, or ITIN—must be furnished when you file your taxes or when claiming certain benefits. While you can use a TIN in various ways, an EIN must be used solely for filing business taxes by U.S. residents. When you compare a TIN number vs EIN, the EIN, again, is a type of TIN used for reporting tax.

What does my CRN number look like? ›

A CRN is 9 numbers and ends with a letter. For example, 123 456 789A. We give you a CRN when you prove your identity with us. It helps us identify your Centrelink record.

What is unique company identification number? ›

A company identification number, or CID, is given to a company when it is formed and the articles of organization or incorporation are approved by the Secretary of State. The CID is an important step when establishing a new company as it acts as a way to track important company information.

What is the abbreviation for company ID number? ›

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity.

Why is CRN number required? ›

CRN registration is required for each jurisdiction where the equipment is used. Once registered, fabrication and inspection is handled the same as with National Board production. Once registered any number of identical vessels or fittings can be produced. CRN registered products can be built anywhere in the world.

What are the different types of CRN? ›

There are three types of CRN available: Vessels, Piping and Fittings.

What is a CRN number in the USA? ›

A company registration number is often abbreviated to CRN. It might also be referred to as a Companies House number, although this is much less common.

What is CRN number and customer ID? ›

CRN (customer relationship number) is a unique number that is assigned to every customer in Kotak Mahindra Bank. Moreover, you will need to know the CRN number to log in to Kotak 811 online account and Kotak net banking. The CRN number can be easily found on your Kotak ATM Debit card.

What is CRN with check digit? ›

The Customer Reference Number is a unique number that includes a check digit at the end of the number. This check digit ensures that if the customer enters an incorrect reference when attempting to make payment, their bank will detect the error and not accept the payment.

How do I verify ownership of a business? ›

Businesses issue certificates to shareholders, members or partners in order to provide proof of ownership. This proof is typically provided in the form of a certificate: Stock certificates for corporations. Membership certificates for LLCs.

What documents are used to verify a business? ›

Filed and stamped Articles of Organization or Incorporation. Sales/Use Tax License. Business License. Certificate of Good Standing.

How do you verify if a company is a small business? ›

You can find out if your business qualifies as small by using the Size Standards Tool, or by referencing the SBA's table of small business size standards. Both the tool and the table help you find the small business classification requirements according to individual NAICS codes.

How do I search for a company on E-Verify? ›

Use the E-Verify search tool to find employers who are currently enrolled in E-Verify. Your search will display the following information: Employer name – The name the employer used when they enrolled in E-Verify. This can be the business' legal name, a trade name, or an abbreviation.

What is in a US company registration certificate? ›

Generally speaking, a business registration certificate is what allows the state to identify and recognize your business as a separate legal entity. Upon the successful completion of the filing process, the state will confer the legal benefits of registration on your business.

What is a US company registration number for LLC? ›

An LLC number, also known as an EIN or tax identification number, is a nine-digit number assigned to each business entity as identification for taxation purposes. An LLC number is the business equivalent of a personal Social Security number.

Do I need a company registration number for Amazon? ›

Why do I need a tax ID number to sell on Amazon? Amazon requires sellers to provide a tax identification number so that they can identify sellers and report sales to the IRS. Most businesses will need to provide an EIN, but some businesses—such as US-based sole proprietors with no employees—can use their SSN instead.

Do I need to register my business in New York? ›

New York businesses must be registered. You'll need forms, certificates, and licenses from multiple regulatory agencies. Complete Payroll is here to make your life easier.

What is a NYS business Certificate? ›

If your business operates under a business other than its legal name, you must receive a Certificate of Assumed Name from your county clerk. This certificate is often called a "business certificate." County clerks are separate for all five boroughs of New York City.

What do I need to register an LLC in New York? ›

  1. Name your New York LLC.
  2. Submit an address to which legal documents can be forwarded and choose your registered agent.
  3. Prepare and file Articles of Organization.
  4. Publish your Articles of Organization in two newspapers.
  5. Create an operating agreement.
  6. Receive a certificate from the state.
  7. Get an Employer Identification Number.
6 days ago

How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in NY? ›

In general, forming an LLC in NY takes six to seven weeks. The schedule includes processing time for filling out and submitting registration forms as well as company related documents to the New York Department of State; creating a company operating agreement; and registering for an EIN number.

What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC? ›

The main difference between an LLC and a corporation is that an llc is owned by one or more individuals, and a corporation is owned by its shareholders. No matter which entity you choose, both entities offer big benefits to your business. Incorporating a business allows you to establish credibility and professionalism.

How much does an LLC cost per year in New York? ›

The annual filing fee for LLCs is $300, and this must be paid each year by the anniversary date of your company's formation. Other fees may be applicable, such as New York City business taxes. New York City business taxes are determined by multiplying your net income for the year by New York's current tax rate.

How much is LLC in NY per year? ›

LLC fee
New York Gross IncomeAnnual Fee
$0 – $99,999$25
$100,000 – $249,999$50
$250,000 – $499,999$175
$500,000 – $999,999$500
3 more rows

Is there an annual fee for LLC in NY? ›

In New York, both single-member LLCs and multi-member LLCs are typically required to pay an annual filing fee. The amount of filing fee you are required to pay depends on the gross income of your LLC that comes from New York in the previous tax year. The fee can vary from $25 to $4,500.

What does company registration number mean? ›

A company registration number is a unique identification number assigned to companies by their national registration office. It is commonly used by companies in many operational and legal contexts.

Is there another name for EIN number? ›

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity.

What is a US company registration number? ›

1) What is an RN? RN stands for Registered Identification Number. It is a number issued by the FTC to U.S. businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, or sell products covered by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. Businesses can use this number on product labels instead of the company name.

Do all US companies have a registration number? ›

It is the Employer Identification Number, i.e. an identification number provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to every American business, whether incorporated or not, with or without employees.

What is a company registration number NJ? ›

An Entity ID is a 10-digit number used to identify your corporate business records. Your corporate records are public and kept separate from your tax records, which are confidential.

What do the first two digits of an EIN represent? ›

Daily Limitation of an Employer Identification Number

Prior to 2001, the first two digits of an EIN (the EIN Prefix) indicated the business was located in a particular geographic area. In 2001, EIN assignment was centralized, although all 10 campuses can assign an EIN, if necessary.

What do EIN numbers look like? ›

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number that IRS assigns in the following format: XX-XXXXXXX. It is used to identify the tax accounts of em- ployers and certain others who have no employees. However, for employee plans, an alpha (for example, P) or the plan number (e.g., 003) may follow the EIN.

What is an example of a company's EIN number? ›

An EIN is a 9-digit number (for example, 12-3456789) assigned to employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, certain individuals, and other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes.

Where are US companies registered? ›

In the United States, all corporations are registered with the individual states where they do business. There is no registration at the national level. To look up registration information of a U.S. company, you need to search the database of the state or states where it is registered.

Do Ltd companies exist in the USA? ›

In the United States, a limited company is more commonly known as a corporation (corp.) or with the suffix incorporated (inc.). Some states in the U.S. do permit the use of Ltd. (limited) after a company name.

Which is better LLC or EIN? ›

Why You Should File for LLC Before EIN. It's necessary to file for LLC before EIN as you are not guaranteed your business name if it has not been registered. Also, the new regulation of the IRS requires filing the articles of incorporation and other documentation before businesses can obtain an EIN.

Should every LLC have an EIN? ›

An LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN. An LLC applies for an EIN by filing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Can you lookup an EIN number online? ›

Can I look up an EIN number? The IRS doesn't provide a public database you can use to look up EIN numbers for your own company or others. However, you can look at your EIN confirmation letter or other places your number may be recorded, including previously filed tax returns or old financing documents.

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