What the Register Records
Companies House holds the public record of every UK company: its registered number and name, its registered office, its date of incorporation, its officers, the people with significant control over the company, and the accounts and statements it has filed. The record is free to search at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.
Companies House states that information placed on the register has not been verified as accurate. The record is therefore a starting point, and its value lies in whether it agrees with everything else you were told.
Match the Number, the Name and the Address
Start with the company number, which never changes, and confirm that the name on the record is exactly the name you were given, including its ending. Several companies can share a similar name, and a fraudster may quote the number of a genuine company.
Compare the registered office with any address on the website or in correspondence. A different address can have an innocent explanation, and that explanation should come before any payment.
Read the Dates
The incorporation date shows how long the company has existed. A firm that describes years of experience, but was incorporated a few months ago, has a history its own record does not support.
The filing history shows whether accounts and confirmation statements arrive on time, and whether the company has changed its name. A recent change of name, or accounts that are overdue, deserves a direct question.
Look at the People Behind the Company
The officers list shows current and former directors, and each name links to that person's other appointments. The list of people with significant control shows who owns or controls the company.
Since 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control have been required to verify their identity with Companies House. Verification confirms who a person is, and says nothing about whether the business they run is sound.
What Companies House Cannot Tell You
A company record does not show whether the firm is authorised by the FCA to offer investments, whether the person contacting you works for the company, or whether the bank account you are asked to pay belongs to the company. Those answers come from the FCA Register and from your bank's Confirmation of Payee check.
How MetaAshes Examines This
A MetaAshes assessment cross-references a firm's details against the official record in a single pass. For this question, the most relevant checks include:
- Company existence and identity
- Company status
- Incorporation date
- Registered office
- Previous company names
- Serving directors
- Persons with significant control
- Filing and insolvency record
Frequently Asked
Does a listing on Companies House mean a company is legitimate?
A listing confirms that a company is registered. Anyone can form a company, and Companies House does not verify the accuracy of what is filed, so the record needs to agree with the other details you were given.
Does a company also need FCA authorisation?
A company offering most investments, savings products or financial advice in the UK must be authorised by the FCA. Registration at Companies House and FCA authorisation are separate, and authorisation is checked on the FCA Register.
Can MetaAshes read the Companies House record for me?
Yes. An assessment reads the Companies House record alongside the FCA Register, the company's website and the payment details you were given, and reports where those details do not agree.
This guide is provided for general information and does not constitute financial or legal advice.