Your Company Registration Number (CRN) might not be something you think about daily, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. After all, it’s your company’s unique identifier that proves you’re legally registered, and you’ll need it any time you’re dealing with tax authorities, banks and other official institutions.

In this article, we'll walk you through exactly where and how to find your Company Registration Number. Let’s start with the basics - what a Company Registration Number is and what it looks like:

What is a Company Registration Number?

Your Company Registration Number (CRN) is a unique eight-character identifier assigned to your Limited company or LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) when you register with Companies House. Think of it as your company’s fingerprint - it never changes and stays with your business for life.

Company Registration Numbers always follow one of two formats:

• Eight digits (e.g. 12345678)
• Two letters followed by six digits 

However, Companies House only started using eight-digit CRNs in 2016, so companies incorporated before then may have nine-digit CRNs.

It’s also worth noting that the exact format of your CRN will vary depending on your company type and where you registered. For example, LLPs in England and Wales have CRNs starting with 'OC', while Scottish LLPs start with 'SO' and Northern Irish LLPs start with 'NC’.

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What’s the difference between a Company Registration Number and a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)?

Your CRN (Company Registration Number) is issued by Companies House, while your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) is issued by HMRC for tax purposes. 

Unlike your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which is issued by HMRC, your CRN is purely a Companies House identifier and will always be the same.

Do sole traders have a Company Registration Number?

No, only limited companies have a CRN. Sole traders just use their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for tax purposes.

How to find your Company Registration Number

Here are the six best places to find your CRN:

1. The Companies House website

The easiest way to find your CRN is through the Companies House online register. Simply type your company name into the search bar, and your CRN will be displayed at the top of your company profile.

2. Your Certificate of Incorporation

When you registered your company, Companies House issued a Certificate of Incorporation. This document includes your CRN and serves as proof that your company legally exists. If you’ve misplaced the paper copy, you can usually download a digital version from Companies House.

3. Official correspondence

Companies House, HMRC and other official bodies will always include your CRN in correspondence, such as tax letters, filing reminders and annual return notifications. If you’ve had any letters or emails related to your company, your CRN is likely on them.

4. Your business bank account

If you’ve opened a business bank account, your CRN may be listed in the paperwork or online banking details. Lots of banks require this number when setting up an account, so check your welcome emails or account settings.

5. Your accountant or business advisor

If you work with an accountant, they should have your CRN on file. A quick email or call to them could save you time searching through paperwork. You can always consult a professional accountant or tax advisor (like one of our friendly team at Crunch) to help you out with this. 

6. Your company’s website or internal records

All limited companies should display their CRN on their website footer, invoices and contracts, as it’s a legal requirement for certain documents. If you keep organised business records, you should find your CRN there too.

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Answering your Company Registration Number questions

When will you need your Company Registration Number?

Your CRN has to be easily accessible and visible on your company's website, as well as in emails, on invoices and in all of your official correspondence. 

You’ll also typically need your CRN for:

• Filing your annual accounts and Confirmation Statement with Companies House
• Paying Corporation Tax or VAT to HMRC
• Setting up a business bank account
• Applying for business loans or credit
• Entering into contracts with suppliers or clients
• Registering for VAT (if applicable)

What to do if you can’t find your Company Registration Number

If you’ve checked all the usual places and still can’t find your CRN, here’s what you can do:

• Search Companies House: The online register is the fastest and most reliable way to get hold of your CRN, and you can ask a professional for help finding your company on there if you get stuck. 
• Request a copy of your Certificate of Incorporation: You can download it from the Companies House website or contact them for help.
• Double check your email: If you registered your company online, Companies House likely sent you an email confirmation with your CRN, so it may just be a case of looking way back in your records for it. 

Can you change your Company Registration Number?

No, your CRN is permanent and cannot be changed. If you dissolve your company and start a new one, you’ll receive a different CRN for the new business.

What happens if you enter the wrong Company Registration Number on a form?

Using the wrong CRN in official documents might cause delays or rejections, so always double-check your CRN before submitting forms. 

The good news is that Company Registration Numbers are not case-sensitive, so don’t worry if you’ve entered any of the letters at the start in lowercase.

It’s time to find your Company Registration Number!

Your Company Registration Number is a small but essential detail that plays a big role in running a legally compliant business. Luckily, it’s easy to find using Companies House, your incorporation documents or any letters you’ve had from HMRC.

If you’re ever unsure about anything related to your company’s registration, it’s always worth getting advice from a team like one of our friendly accountants and tax advisors at Crunch. Keeping your business details organised now will make things much easier down the road!

Need help managing your company finances? 

If you want expert support with tax filings and compliance, we’re here to help. Get in touch today for tailored advice on running your limited company smoothly.

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