How To Get A Company Registration Number In the UK (CRN)

If you’re running a small business, you’ll eventually hit a moment where someone asks: “What’s your company registration number?”

It might be a new supplier, a bank, an accountant, an investor, or a customer checking you’re legitimate. And if you don’t have the number on hand, it can feel a bit stressful (especially if you’re mid-onboarding or trying to get paid).

Don’t worry - it’s usually straightforward. In this guide, we’ll break down what a company registration number is, how to get a company registration number in the UK, where to find it quickly, and how to use it correctly in day-to-day business documents.

What Is A Company Registration Number (CRN) In The UK?

A company registration number (often shortened to CRN) is a unique identifier issued to your company when it’s incorporated with Companies House.

Think of it like your company’s “official ID number” for UK corporate records. Once it’s issued, it stays with the company for its lifetime (even if you change your company name later).

What Does A Company Registration Number Look Like?

Your CRN is typically:

• 8 characters long (usually 8 digits), for example: 12345678
• Sometimes it starts with letters depending on the jurisdiction or company type (for example, certain Scottish or Northern Irish registrations)

It’s worth noting that a CRN is different from your:

• VAT number (only if you’re VAT registered)
• UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference, issued by HMRC)
• PAYE reference (if you employ staff)

Note: This article is general information only and isn’t tax advice. If you’re unsure about VAT, PAYE, or your UTR, it’s worth speaking with your accountant or a tax adviser.

If you’re setting up a limited company, your CRN becomes one of the key details you’ll use across admin, contracting, compliance, and finance.

Why Does The CRN Matter For Small Businesses?

Your CRN is commonly used to:

• prove your company exists and is properly incorporated
• help customers, suppliers, and investors verify your business
• identify your company on official filings with Companies House
• make sure contracts and invoices correctly describe the legal entity they apply to

In other words, it’s not just a “nice to have” - it’s part of keeping your legal foundations clean and professional from day one.

How Do I Get A Company Registration Number?

Let’s answer the core question directly: how do I get a company registration number in the UK?

You get a company registration number automatically when you incorporate a limited company (or LLP) with Companies House.

If you haven’t incorporated a company, you can’t “apply” for a CRN on its own - the CRN comes as part of the incorporation process.

Step-By-Step: Getting A CRN By Incorporating Your Company

1. Choose your company structure
   Most small businesses that need a CRN will be incorporating as a private limited company (Ltd) or a limited liability partnership (LLP).
2. Pick a company name and registered office address
   You’ll need a UK address for the registered office, and your name must meet Companies House rules.
3. Appoint directors (and shareholders if relevant)
   A company must have at least one director. You’ll also decide who owns shares (if it’s a company limited by shares).
4. Prepare the incorporation documents
   This usually includes your Articles of Association and initial share structure details. Getting these right early can save you headaches later, especially if you plan to bring in co-founders or investors.
5. Submit the incorporation application to Companies House
   This can be done online. Once approved, Companies House issues a Certificate of Incorporation - and your CRN will be on it.

If you’re still at the setup stage, it’s often worth getting legal help to make sure you’re incorporating in a way that actually supports how your business will run (and grow). For example, your ownership arrangements and decision-making rules might belong in a Shareholders Agreement, not left to assumptions.

If you need to incorporate now, Register a company is typically the starting point.

Can Sole Traders Get A Company Registration Number?

No - a sole trader business doesn’t have a company registration number because it isn’t incorporated with Companies House.

That doesn’t mean sole traders aren’t legitimate businesses. It just means the legal structure is different: you (the individual) and the business are the same legal person.

If you’re operating under a business name as a sole trader, you might also see the term “trading as”. If this comes up for you, getting your naming and branding consistent matters (especially on invoices and contracts) - Trading As (T/A) can be a useful concept to understand early.

Can I Get A CRN For A Charity Or Not-For-Profit?

Potentially, yes - but it depends on the legal structure.

For example, if your organisation is incorporated as a company (including a company limited by guarantee), it will have a company registration number issued by Companies House.

Some not-for-profits are registered with the Charity Commission and may also have a charity number. These are separate identifiers used for different purposes.

Where Can I Find My Company Registration Number?

If your company is already incorporated, the question often isn’t “how do I get a company registration number?” - it’s “where on earth did I put it?”

Here are the quickest places to check.

1. Your Certificate Of Incorporation

When Companies House incorporates your company, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation. Your CRN will be clearly displayed on it.

If you incorporated online, this is usually provided digitally.

2. Companies House Public Register

Companies House keeps a public database of all registered companies. If you search for your company name, you’ll see your company profile page, including your CRN.

This is often the fastest option when you’re on the phone with a supplier and need the number immediately.

From a practical perspective, it’s also worth understanding how your CRN is used publicly and what information is visible - Company Registration Numbers are part of how the UK corporate system keeps businesses transparent.

3. Your Company Letterhead And Emails

If you’ve set up your business communications properly, your CRN may already be included on:

• your email footer
• your letterhead
• your website footer (often in the “legal” section)

It’s a small detail, but it can make your business look more established - and help you avoid compliance issues (more on this below).

4. Your Invoices And Business Documents

Many businesses include their CRN on invoices by default (and in some cases, you’re expected to include it). If you’re not sure what should appear on your invoices, it’s worth checking the basics - Invoice requirements are a common compliance gap for newer companies.

5. Your Accountant Or Company Records

Your accountant, bookkeeper, or company administrator will almost always have your CRN on file - particularly if they handle annual accounts and confirmation statements.

Still, it’s a good idea for you (as the director/founder) to keep a secure internal record of key company identifiers, including:

• company registration number (CRN)
• registered office address
• details of directors and shareholders
• UTR and VAT number (if applicable)

When Do You Need To Use Your Company Registration Number?

Your CRN isn’t just a “Companies House thing” - it turns up in day-to-day operations more than you might expect.

As a small business owner, the main times you’ll need to use your company registration number include:

On Business Stationery And Communications

In the UK, companies are legally required to show certain details on business letters, order forms and websites, and in many cases on emails and other business communications (especially where you’re holding yourself out as a limited company).

This typically includes your:

• registered company name
• company registration number
• registered office address

Keeping this consistent helps avoid confusion about who the legal contracting party is - which matters if there’s ever a dispute.

On Contracts And Client Agreements

Whenever you sign a contract, you want it to be crystal clear which legal entity is signing.

This is particularly important if:

• you operate multiple companies
• you have a trading name that differs from your registered company name
• you’re entering higher-value agreements (like supplier deals or commercial leases)

Your CRN is one of the simplest ways to ensure the correct legal entity is identified, alongside the full registered name and address.

And when it comes to signing, make sure the person signing has authority to do so - Legal signature requirements can become important if there’s ever a challenge to whether a contract is binding.

For Banking, Finance, And Funding

Banks, payment providers, and lenders often require your CRN for onboarding and verification.

If you’re raising capital or bringing investors in, your CRN will also be used in due diligence. That’s one reason founders often put formal governance documents in place early - for example, a Shareholders Agreement can clarify ownership, decision-making, and what happens if someone wants to exit.

For Hiring And Employment Setup

When you start hiring, your CRN may show up across internal documentation and payroll setup (even though HMRC references are separate).

It’s also a good point to make sure you have proper documentation in place for staff. Once you’re employing, having an Employment Contract that reflects how your business actually operates can help reduce risk and avoid misunderstandings.

Common Problems Small Businesses Run Into (And How To Fix Them)

Most CRN issues aren’t complicated - but they can be annoying if you’re trying to open an account, sign a deal, or issue invoices quickly.

You “Don’t Have” A Company Registration Number

This is usually one of two situations:

• You’re not incorporated (you’re a sole trader or partnership). In that case, you simply won’t have a CRN.
• You are incorporated, but you’re searching in the wrong place. Check Companies House or your Certificate of Incorporation.

If you’re unsure whether you should incorporate in the first place, it’s worth getting advice on structure early. Incorporation can provide limited liability protection, but it also adds ongoing compliance obligations.

You’re Using The Wrong Company Details On Invoices Or Your Website

A common slip-up is using a trading name everywhere and forgetting to include the registered company name and CRN where required.

This matters because it can:

• create confusion about who customers are contracting with
• look unprofessional to suppliers or investors
• cause compliance issues if your company details aren’t properly displayed

A good fix is to create a simple “company details” block and use it consistently across invoices, email footers, order forms, and your website footer.

You Changed Your Company Name And Now You Can’t Find The Number

The good news: your CRN doesn’t change when you change your company name.

So if you’re searching Companies House, try searching by:

• your old company name
• your new company name
• or a director’s name (sometimes helpful for narrowing down results)

You’re Confusing Your CRN With Other Numbers

This is very common when you’re scaling and suddenly dealing with lots of compliance admin.

As a quick guide:

• CRN = issued by Companies House on incorporation
• UTR = issued by HMRC for tax
• VAT number = issued by HMRC once you’re VAT registered
• PAYE reference = issued by HMRC once you register as an employer

Note: This article is general information only and isn’t tax advice. If you’re unsure which number you need (or what to register for), speak to your accountant or a tax adviser.

If you maintain an internal admin sheet (securely stored) listing each number and what it’s used for, you’ll save time every time onboarding or compliance comes up.

Key Takeaways

• A company registration number (CRN) is a unique identifier issued by Companies House when your business is incorporated as a company or LLP.
• If you’re asking how to get a company registration number, the answer is: you get it automatically when you incorporate - you can’t apply for a CRN separately.
• Sole traders don’t have a CRN because they’re not incorporated (but they can still trade legally under the right structure and name).
• You can usually find your CRN on your Certificate of Incorporation, the Companies House public register, and often on invoices or company stationery.
• Using the correct company name, address, and CRN on contracts, invoices, and business communications helps avoid confusion and strengthens your legal foundations.
• If you’re incorporating (or updating your company setup), it’s worth getting legal documents and governance right early, especially if you have co-founders, investors, or staff.

If you would like help with setting up your company properly (or making sure your documents and business details are compliant), you can reach us at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat.