A sensible first check on Companies House

Find the correct legal entity

Start with the free Companies House service through GOV.UK. If you have a company number on a contract or invoice, use it to identify the record rather than relying on a familiar trading name. Then compare the registered name and number with the organisation you believe you are dealing with.

The register provides information including registered office details, incorporation date, company status, officers and filing history. Write down the company number and the date of your check so you can return to the same entity. Similar names deserve separate notes.

Read the history, not just the overview

Open relevant filings and consider their dates. An accounts document relates to a particular reporting period; it is not a live view of the business today. Look for changes that matter to your decision and list questions rather than treating every change as evidence of a problem.

• Compare the legal name on your paperwork with the company record.
• Check whether the status and incorporation date fit what you have been told.
• Review relevant accounts and confirmation statements alongside their filing dates.
• Note changes of name, registered office or officers if they affect your understanding.
• Keep a copy or reference for the specific filing behind each observation.

Understand the limits of the register

Companies House describes checks on filings and powers to question or remove inaccurate information. Its guidance also explains that inaccuracies can occur and that accounts receive basic checks. A listing should therefore be treated as a source to assess, not a guarantee that a proposed transaction is safe.

A registered office does not, on its own, prove that a business trades from that location. An ‘active’ status is not a promise about its ability to pay you. Avoid conclusions about honesty or financial strength that the document itself does not support.

Turn findings into useful questions

Make a short list of discrepancies and ask the business for clarification through an established contact route. If the decision involves a substantial commitment, disputed identity or conflicting records, consider a broader review before proceeding. PDC can help you identify which questions remain unanswered and whether further investigation would be worthwhile.

Questions you may have