Complete Guide to UK Company Registries Including Crown Dependencies
While Companies House is the best-known company registry in the UK, it's not the only one. The Crown Dependencies - Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man - each maintain their own registries with different rules and disclosure requirements. Understanding the full landscape is essential for thorough company research.
Companies House (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland)
Companies House is the registrar of companies for the United Kingdom. It holds records for over 5 million active companies and is one of the most transparent company registries in the world.
What's Available Free
- Company name, number, registered address, and incorporation date
- SIC codes (nature of business)
- Director and secretary details (names, dates of birth - month/year only, nationality)
- Persons of Significant Control (PSC) - beneficial ownership
- Filed accounts and annual returns/confirmation statements
- Charges (mortgages and security interests)
- Insolvency and winding-up information
Searching Companies House
The free search at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk (also known as Companies House Beta) gives access to all public records. The Companies House API allows programmatic access for up to 600 requests per 5 minutes.
Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)
Jersey, as a Crown Dependency, has its own company registry managed by the JFSC. Jersey is a major offshore financial centre with over 30,000 registered companies.
- Registry: JFSC Registry (registry.je)
- Free data: Company name, number, type, registration date, registered agent
- Paid data: Annual returns, memorandum and articles of association (£5-£15 per document)
- Key difference: Jersey companies must appoint a registered agent (a JFSC-regulated firm) rather than just a registered office
Guernsey Registry
Guernsey maintains its own register of companies, limited partnerships, and foundations.
- Registry: Guernsey Registry (guernseyregistry.com)
- Free data: Company name, number, type, status, registration date
- Key difference: Guernsey introduced a beneficial ownership register in 2017, but it's not publicly accessible - it's only available to law enforcement and the tax authority
Isle of Man Companies Registry
The Isle of Man has its own Companies Registry under the Financial Services Authority.
- Registry: Isle of Man Companies Registry (services.gov.im/ded/services/companiesregistry)
- Free data: Company name, number, type, status, date of incorporation
- Paid data: Annual returns, incorporation documents
- Key difference: The IOM offers a unique 1931 Act company structure that some businesses still use, alongside the more modern 2006 Act companies
Gibraltar Companies House
Although not a Crown Dependency (it's a British Overseas Territory), Gibraltar has its own Companies House that's worth knowing about.
- Registry: Gibraltar Companies House (companieshouse.gi)
- Free data: Company name, number, status
- Key difference: Gibraltar companies are often used for online gambling and financial services due to its regulatory framework and EU market access (pre-Brexit)
Comparing Transparency
| Registry | Beneficial Ownership | Free Accounts | Free Director Data | API Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companies House (UK) | Public (PSC register) | Yes | Yes | Yes (free) |
| Jersey (JFSC) | Not public | Paid | Paid | Limited |
| Guernsey | Not public | Paid | Paid | No |
| Isle of Man | Not public | Paid | Paid | No |
| Gibraltar | Not public | Paid | Limited | No |
The UK stands out for its transparency. The PSC register, free access to filed accounts, and open API make it one of the most accessible company data sources globally.
Why This Matters for Business Research
If you're conducting due diligence on a UK-connected business, checking only Companies House may miss critical information. A company's parent, subsidiary, or controlling entity could be registered in Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man - jurisdictions with far less public disclosure.
NewcoHunter focuses on Companies House data because it's where UK trading companies are registered. But understanding the wider registry landscape helps you spot when a seemingly simple UK company is part of a more complex cross-jurisdictional structure.