What do CR number, BRN and UBI mean?
A former company registration number (CR No.) and a Business Registration Number (BRN) are different identifiers. The Registry fully implemented the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) on 27 December 2023, using BRNs for the entities it administers. Historical filings may still show their original CR numbers. Different identifier lengths alone do not prove that two records belong to different companies.
A BRN is the first eight digits of a Business Registration Certificate number, rather than every component printed on that certificate. The Registry also describes exceptional dummy BRNs for entities without a BRN. An alphabetic prefix needs investigation against the official guidance, rather than automatic deletion by a digits-only validation rule.
How do you look up the corresponding BRN?
Use “CR No. / BRN Mapping” in the official electronic search service. Keep the original number, compare the returned entity and identifier, and record when and where the match was checked. Mapping is a lookup, not an arithmetic conversion.
- Identify the field label, document date and issuing source.
- Store the former CR number and BRN in separate fields, retaining prefixes and leading zeros.
- Check the official mapping; never pad a former CR number and call it a BRN.
- Compare the entity and returned identifier with the source; flag inconsistencies for review.
- Record the check date and evidence before updating your company master record.
Companies Registry: Unique Business Identifier guide ↗Companies Registry: e-Services Portal ↗
Try the check with our historical NAR1 sample
Our ARCH MARKETING LIMITED NAR1 sample has a return date of 2022-08-02 and shows former company number 1063959. This is evidence from that filing, not a verified current BRN. The downloadable result preserves it as legacy_company_number; it must not be copied into business_registration_number.
Find the number on sample page 1 and compare it with the standard JSON. If your worksheet requires a current BRN, perform a separate official lookup and retain the check date. This guide does not supply a current BRN for that company or invent one to complete the example.
How should a worksheet store the identifiers?
Use text fields so spreadsheet software does not remove leading zeros. Separate extracted values from independently checked values. Leave an unverified identifier blank and state the reason; using “0” for unknown can turn it into an apparent real identifier during the next import.
Scroll sideways to see all columns; focus the table and use arrow keys on a keyboard.
| Field | Recording rule |
|---|---|
| Source identifier | Keep the original string, label and page |
| Former CR number | Separate field; retain the historical value |
| BRN / UBI | Enter the checked corresponding identifier |
| Verification record | Date, official source and unresolved questions |
Does an identifier establish current company details?
An identifier identifies an entity; it does not establish its address, ownership, directors or trading position. After identifying the entity, choose a register report or dated filing for the question you need to answer. To compare incorporation details with later records, obtain the relevant documents for both points in time.
For a batch list, keep company names, former numbers, BRNs and sources in distinct columns before specifying the required documents. ClariRecord can retrieve, extract and review filings within an agreed scope. Inconsistent records should be returned for clarification rather than merged on name similarity.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a former CR number to a BRN by adding zeros?
No. Check the official CR No. / BRN Mapping rather than deriving a BRN. The Registry’s exceptional dummy BRN rules require separate attention.
Should I replace the number extracted from an old NAR1 with its BRN?
Retain the original identifier in the extracted record. Put a checked current BRN in a separate field, with its lookup source and date.
References
- Companies Registry: Unique Business Identifier guide ↗
- Companies Registry: e-Services Portal ↗
- ClariRecord: two-page NAR1 source and extraction sample ↗
Use the checklists and examples to prepare your documents. When checking an official form, note which version the guide refers to.