How to check a UK VAT number
Verifying a VAT number takes seconds and protects you twice — from fraud, and from a rejected VAT reclaim. Here’s how to check any UK VAT number for free, what it should look like, and when its absence does (and doesn’t) matter.
How to verify a UK VAT number
Use the official “Check a UK VAT number” service on GOV.UK, run by HMRC. Enter the number and it tells you whether it’s valid and shows the registered business name and address — which you can then match against the company you’re dealing with. It’s free and needs no account. For an EU VAT number, use the EU’s VIES checker instead.
What a UK VAT number looks like
- Normally GB followed by 9 digits — e.g.
GB123456789. - On invoices the “GB” is sometimes left off, leaving 9 digits.
- It is not the same as the Companies House company number.
Why bother verifying it
- Fraud check — a fake, mistyped or “borrowed” VAT number is a warning sign about a supplier.
- Protect your VAT reclaim — reclaim VAT on an invoice from a business that isn’t genuinely registered and HMRC can reject the claim, leaving you out of pocket.
- Name match — the service shows the registered name, so you can confirm it’s the business you think it is.
Do it as part of the wider check
A VAT check is one piece of vetting a company. Alongside it, confirm the company is Active, check its directors and owners, and review its accounts. Ask Verivello “Is [company] legitimate?” to pull the official record together, then verify the VAT number on GOV.UK. Start free.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a UK VAT number is valid?
Use the official "Check a UK VAT number" service on GOV.UK (run by HMRC). Enter the VAT number and it confirms whether it’s valid and shows the registered business name and address. It’s free and takes seconds. For EU VAT numbers, use the EU’s VIES service instead.
What does a UK VAT number look like?
A UK VAT registration number is normally the letters "GB" followed by 9 digits — for example GB123456789. On invoices the "GB" is sometimes dropped, leaving 9 digits. It is completely separate from the company’s Companies House registration number.
Is it free to check a VAT number?
Yes. Checking a VAT number on the GOV.UK / HMRC service is free, with no account needed. You can also keep a proof of the check (HMRC provides a reference) if you need evidence that you verified a supplier before reclaiming VAT.
Why should I verify a supplier’s VAT number?
Two reasons: to avoid fraud (a fake or borrowed VAT number is a warning sign), and to protect your own VAT reclaim — if you reclaim VAT on an invoice from a business that isn’t genuinely VAT-registered, HMRC can reject the claim. A legitimate VAT-registered supplier has no reason to hide its number.
Does every company have a VAT number?
No. A business only needs to register for VAT once its taxable turnover passes the VAT threshold (though many register voluntarily). So plenty of legitimate small companies have no VAT number at all — its absence isn’t a red flag by itself. Refusing to provide one when they claim to be VAT-registered is.
Is a VAT number the same as a company number?
No. A company registration number (CRN) identifies the company at Companies House and every company has one. A VAT number is issued separately by HMRC and only exists if the business is VAT-registered. They’re different identifiers you should check in different places.