Guide to Verify a Company in UK

Before anyone attempts to do business with another business, they need to be able to verify that the company is legitimate. This guide details the steps you need to take about how to verify a company in UK.

 

Why You Need to Verify A Company in UK

There are many reasons why an individual or business may need to verify the legitimacy of a business. Employment opportunities, investments, potential business partnerships are just some of the many reasons to verify the authenticity of a company.

If it sounds like a complicated process to verify a company in UK, don’t worry, it is not. All you need to do is approach the process step-by-step.

Step 1

Step one of the process begins with gathering the basic information you need to verify the business. You will need the company’s name, registered number, address, and other relevant information.

Step 2

Bring these details to the Companies House, the official companies registrar in the UK. This will be your main source for all matters pertaining to companies operating in the UK. You can access the Companies House via this link:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/

One here, you will have to Search for Company and enter the details of the business you are searching for. The results will be displayed in minutes and you will be able to see the company’s date of incorporation, registered office address, the status of the company (whether it’s active or not), and any documents the company may have filed.

Step 3

Another approach as to how to verify a company in UK is to check its accreditation and certification. The UK requires that companies from specific industries hold the relevant certifications and accreditations to operate legally.

You can also check if a company is legitimate by checking if it has registered for Value Added Tax (VAT). This can be done through the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website here:

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number

Once here, you can enter the company’s VAT number and confirm the validity of their VAT registration.

 

Do Your Due Diligence

It is in your best interest to always ensure you do your due diligence before embarking on any business venture. A successful business is no easy task, and it is important that you keep yourself safe and make informed decisions. Always make sure you’ve ruled out your red flags.