Companies House Search by Name: Ultimate UK Guide (2025)
Discover how to search Companies House by name to find UK business information, director details, and company records. Access millions of company profiles completely free through the official government register.
Table of Contents
What is Companies House?
Companies House is an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade that incorporates and dissolves limited companies while registering company information and making it available to the public. The Companies House register serves as the official repository for UK business information, providing transparency and accountability in the UK's business environment.
Key Functions
- Register new companies and dissolve existing ones
- Maintain official records of company information
- Provide free public access to business data
- Ensure corporate transparency and compliance
Available Information
- Company registration details and status
- Director and officer information
- Financial filings and annual accounts
- Registered office addresses and contact details
Companies House Search by Name Free
Companies House provides free company information including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, and business activity. You do not need to register to view company information through this service.
How to Search Companies House by Name
Access the Companies House Website
Visit the official Companies House website and navigate to the "Find and update company information" service.
Enter Company Name
Type the full company name or keywords in the search field. You don't need the exact name - the search will find similar matches.
Filter Results
Use available filters such as company status (active/dissolved), location, or incorporation date range to narrow down results.
Select Company
From the list of results, identify and click on the specific company you're looking for to access detailed information.
Search Tips for Better Results
- Partial Names Work: Search with partial company names or keywords
- Check Trading Names: Remember businesses may trade under different names than their registered name
- Try Variations: Use abbreviations, full names, and alternative spellings
Companies House Director Search by Name
Searching for company directors by name is essential for due diligence, business research, and compliance checks. The Companies House register contains comprehensive information about current and former directors across all UK companies.
How to Perform a Director Search by Name
Direct Officer Search
- Use the "Search for an officer" function on Companies House
- Enter the director's full name or partial name
- Filter by date of birth (month/year) if known
- Review all current and former appointments
Company-Based Search
- Search for the company first using company name
- Navigate to the "People" tab to view all officers
- View current directors and company secretaries
- Check appointment and resignation dates
Information Available for Directors
Personal Details
- • Full legal name
- • Month and year of birth
- • Nationality
- • Country of residence
Professional Info
- • Service address
- • Occupation (if provided)
- • Appointment dates
- • Role and responsibilities
Company Connections
- • Current directorships
- • Former positions
- • Associated companies
- • Resignation history
Companies House Advanced Company Search
The Companies House advanced search function is a feature of the Find and update company information service introduced in November 2021. It allows users to search for companies using a range of criteria including company name, registration number, location, and date of incorporation.
Advanced Search Features
Search Criteria
- Company Name: Full or partial company names
- Registration Number: Exact company registration number
- Registered Office: Address-based company searches
- Incorporation Date: Search by date ranges
Filter Options
- Company Status: Active, dissolved, or liquidation
- Company Type: Limited companies, PLCs, LLPs
- SIC Codes: Industry classification codes
- Filing History: Accounts and confirmation statements
Professional Use Cases
Business Intelligence
- • Market research and competitor analysis
- • Industry sector mapping
- • Location-based business searches
- • Company formation trend analysis
Due Diligence
- • Supplier and vendor verification
- • Investment target research
- • Risk assessment and compliance
- • Network analysis of related companies
Companies House Login & WebFiling
While searching Companies House by name is free and requires no registration, companies need to use the Companies House login and WebFiling services to submit official documents and maintain their company records.
Companies House WebFiling
Companies House WebFiling is an online service provided by the UK government that allows businesses to file various important documents and forms electronically, offering a convenient and efficient way for companies to manage their legal obligations.
Key Features:
- Secure online submission of statutory documents
- File confirmation statements, accounts, director changes
- Reduced paper forms and postal delays
- 24/7 availability with instant processing
Companies House Login Process
Companies House is transitioning to GOV.UK One Login, the new single sign-in service for accessing government digital services. This will replace the current multiple login systems.
Setting Up WebFiling Account:
- Create account on Companies House website
- Receive authentication code by post
- Link multiple companies to one account
- Enable multi-factor authentication for security
Important Changes Coming in 2025
Professional Search Techniques
Master these professional techniques to maximize the effectiveness of your Companies House searches and find exactly the information you need.
Advanced Name Search Strategies
- Wildcard Searching: Use partial names and keywords to cast a wider net
- Legal vs Trading Names: Search both registered and trading names
- Abbreviation Variations: Try "Ltd", "Limited", "plc", "LLP" variations
- Historical Names: Check previous company names and rebrands
Data Verification Methods
- Cross-Reference Sources: Verify information across multiple databases
- Filing Date Checks: Ensure information is current and up-to-date
- Address Validation: Confirm registered office addresses are legitimate
- Director Networks: Map connections between directors and companies
Common Search Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Too Many Results
Solution: Use advanced filters, add location parameters, or include incorporation date ranges to narrow results.
Challenge: No Results Found
Solution: Try partial names, check spelling variations, search by director names, or verify the company is UK-registered.
Challenge: Outdated Information
Solution: Check filing history dates, look for overdue filings, and cross-reference with recent confirmation statements.
Additional Companies House Features
Follow Companies
Set up free email alerts to receive notifications when companies file new documents or make changes to their details.
- • Director appointments/resignations
- • Address changes
- • Filing updates
- • Status changes
Company Name Checker
Check if a company name is available before registering a new business to avoid conflicts with existing companies.
- • Real-time availability check
- • Similar name detection
- • Sensitive word filtering
- • Trademark considerations
Dissolved Company Search
Search for companies that have been dissolved, including access to historical records and director information.
- • 20-year record retention
- • Historical director data
- • Dissolution dates
- • Final accounts access
Best Practices for Companies House Searches
Legal Compliance
- Use information for legitimate business purposes only
- Respect data protection and privacy laws
- Do not use for direct marketing without consent
- Keep records of search purposes for compliance
Search Efficiency
- Start with broad searches, then narrow down
- Use multiple search methods for verification
- Document search results and sources
- Regular updates for ongoing monitoring
Conclusion
Companies House search by name provides unprecedented access to UK business information, enabling due diligence, market research, and business intelligence activities. With over 5 million company records available for free, the Companies House register serves as the definitive source for UK corporate information. Whether you're conducting director searches, performing advanced company research, or managing your own business filings through WebFiling, mastering these search techniques will enhance your business decision-making capabilities.
The transition to GOV.UK One Login and enhanced identity verification requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act will further strengthen the integrity and security of the Companies House register, ensuring reliable and accurate business information for all users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Companies House search by name really free?
Yes, searching Companies House by name is completely free. You can access basic company information, director details, and filing history without any cost or registration requirement.
How do I search for a company director by name?
Use the "Search for an officer" function on Companies House or search by company name first, then view the "People" tab to see all current and former directors.
What is Companies House WebFiling used for?
Companies House WebFiling is used by businesses to file official documents electronically, including annual accounts, confirmation statements, and company detail updates.
How does the advanced company search work?
Advanced company search allows filtering by multiple criteria including company name, registration number, location, incorporation date, company status, and industry codes for more precise results.
Can I search for dissolved companies?
Yes, Companies House maintains records of dissolved companies for 20 years. You can search for dissolved companies and access their historical information including former directors.
Additional Resources
Official Links
- Find and Update Company Information: Main search portal for Companies House
- Companies House WebFiling: Online document filing service
- GOV.UK One Login: New unified government login system
Developer Resources
- Companies House API: Programmatic access to company data
- Data Products: Bulk data downloads and feeds
- Developer Documentation: Technical guides and specifications
Related Articles
Find a Director: Ultimate UK Search Guide
Complete guide to finding and researching UK company directors using official databases.
UK Company Search: Professional Guide
Advanced techniques for searching and analyzing UK company information.
Companies House API: Developer Guide
How to integrate Companies House data into your applications and systems.
Business Due Diligence: Complete Checklist
Essential steps for conducting thorough business research and verification.
Written by House of Companies Research Team
Specialist in Companies House research, corporate due diligence, and UK business intelligence with extensive experience in official government databases.