Check a UK VAT number — service availability and issues
Updated 13 March 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/check-a-uk-vat-number-service-availability-and-issues/check-a-uk-vat-number-service-availability-and-issues
Service availability
Full service available.
Sign in to check a UK VAT number.
Planned downtime
None.
Service issues
New VAT registration numbers
Due to scheduled maintenance, new VAT registrations may not appear on our online service from 9am on Monday 16 March 2026 to 5pm on Friday 20 March 2026.
You will still able to use the service during this time to check a UK VAT number.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
VAT registration numbers
In December 2023 work was completed to stop VAT registration numbers showing as invalid when using the check a UK VAT number service.
There may be times where you check a UK VAT registration number (VRN) and it still shows as invalid.
If you find a VRN that is invalid, use the ‘Is this page not working properly?’ link at the bottom of the page to get help.
We are working to resolve this issue and apologise for any inconvenience it may cause.
Non-UK addresses
Currently, UK VAT registered traders with non-UK addresses are returned on the UK VAT checker with an HMRC address. These VAT registrations are valid registrations.
Invalid UK VAT registrations will return as ‘invalid’. If required, a VAT registered trader can prove their principal place of business using their VAT certificate.
Other services
Check availability and issues for other services.