The Complete Guide To Company Registration – How and Where of Company Registration Number

28 Jan The Complete Guide To Company Registration – How and Where of Company Registration Number

What is Company Registration Number

A company registration number (CRN) is an alphanumeric digit with a unique combination of 8 numbers or 2 letters followed by 6 numbers. The number is used to identify a company and verify its legal existence as an incorporated entity.

A CRN is issued during the company formation process by the Companies House. One can find the company registration number (CRN) printed on the  Certificate of Incorporation and all official documentation received from Companies House.

A company registration number is also referred to as a ‘Companies House Registration Number’ or ‘company number’.

What is Company Registration Number

Company Registration Number Naming Convention

• Companies formed in England and Wales: Numbers start with 0 or 1.
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs): Start with ‘OC’.
• Scottish LTDs: Start with ‘SC’.
• Scottish LLPs: Start with ‘SO’.
• Northern Ireland LTDs: Start with NI.
• Northern Ireland LLPs: Start with NC.

Setting Up a Company

You can run your business as a private limited company. To set up a private limited company you need to register with Companies House. This is known as ‘incorporation’.

You will need the following to do so:

• a suitable company name
• an address for the company
• at least one director
• details of the company’s shares – you need at least one shareholder
• to check what your SIC code is – this identifies what your company does

You will also need shareholders to agree to create the company and the written rules. Also details of people with significant control (PSC) over your company. Once you have these details, you can register your company. That is when you receive your CRN.

Company Registration

Registering the company

You can register your company by any of these four ways:

1. Register online

• You can only register online if your company is limited by shares and if it uses standard articles of association known as moral articles.
• Cost: It costs £12 and can be paid by debit or credit card or Paypal account.
• Registration Time: Your company is usually registered within 24 hours.

2. Register by Post

• You can register by post using form IN01.
• Cost: It costs £40 (paid by cheque made out to ‘Companies House’).
• Registration Time: Postal applications take 8 to 10 days.
• You can register on the same day if you get your application to Companies House by 3 pm and pay £100. Additionally, your envelope (and any courier’s envelope) must be marked as ‘same day service’ in the top left-hand corner.

3. Use a formation agent to register your company

There is a list of company formation agents and company secretarial agents that you can use to incorporate your company.

Most agents offer you professional expert advice and assistance to register your company and provide guidance on the type of company that best suits your needs. Assist naming your company, including those that require permission. They advise you about the ongoing company secretarial support, registered office address services and help set up a business bank account for you

4. Register by Third Party software

You can use software to file your company accounts, file changes to your details and returns to Companies House electronically.

Using software or by filing online you will be less likely to get late filing penalties, get confirmation that your documents have been received and find out the status.

You can then either get a software package from a Companies House (and HMRC) approved provider or develop your own software.

Where to Show CRN

Private limited companies are legally required to display their company registration number on all business stationery, including the following:

• Letterheads
• Faxes
• Emails
• Compliment Slips
• Invoices
• Receipts
• Order forms
• Websites
• Other online material

As a company one also needs to show / use  CRN in the following circumstances:

• Sending annual confirmation statements and annual accounts to Companies House
• Registering your company for corporation tax
• Changing the name of your company or LLP
• Changing your registered office address
• Moving the location of statutory records
• Appointing and removing directors
• Appointing and removing company secretaries
• Appointing and removing LLP members
• Filing copies of resolutions
• Paying corporation tax and Filing Company Tax Returns
• Registering your company or LLP for VAT
• Paying VAT and submitting VAT Returns to HMRC
• Registering your company or LLP for PAYE
• Selling shares
• Issuing dividend vouchers to shareholders
• Dissolving your company or LLP
• Changing the trading status of your company from active to dormant

How to find Company Registration Number

Company registration numbers are presented on the public register of companies next to company names. You can look at this register on the internet through either the Companies House WebCheck or Companies House Beta.