How to Check If a UK Company Is Legitimate in 2026

Whether you're vetting a potential supplier, checking out a new client, or researching a company before investing, verifying that a UK company is legitimate is straightforward — and completely free. Here's what to look for.

1. Check the Company Is Registered

Every legitimate UK limited company must be registered at Companies House and have a unique company number. You can search for any company by name or number on UK Business Finder or directly on the Companies House website. If a company claims to be a limited company but doesn't appear on the register, that's a major red flag.

2. Check the Status

Look for the company status. "Active" means the company is currently registered and in good standing. Watch out for statuses like "Active - Proposal to Strike Off" (the company is being removed from the register), "In Administration", or "In Liquidation". All of these are visible on UK Business Finder listings.

3. Check the Accounts

Has the company filed its accounts on time? Overdue accounts can indicate financial difficulties or poor management. On UK Business Finder, companies with overdue accounts are flagged with a red "Accts overdue" tag, making them easy to spot.

4. Check the Age

A company that was incorporated last month carries more risk than one trading for 15 years. Our listings show the exact incorporation date and age of every company. Be cautious with very new companies, especially if they're asking for large upfront payments.

5. Check Who Controls It

Persons with Significant Control (PSC) data tells you who really owns and controls the company. On UK Business Finder, click "More" on any company to see the PSC details — names, nationalities, and level of control. If a company has no PSC data filed, that may warrant further investigation.

6. Check for Charges

Registered charges indicate the company has loans secured against its assets. While charges are normal for many businesses, an unusually high number of charges or recent charge registrations can indicate financial stress. Our listings show the number of outstanding and satisfied charges for every company.

7. Check the Registered Address

A legitimate company should have a real registered address. Be cautious of companies using virtual office addresses or addresses that don't match where they claim to operate from. Our listings show the registered postcode and town for every company.

Start Checking

All of these checks are available for free on UK Business Finder across 2.6 million active UK companies. No registration required.