SVM102010 - Files and Forms: The Present System - the CRN File
The present system of files based on the Company Registration Number (CRN) was introduced in 1976.
The use of the CRN as the file reference provides a useful check as it indicates how long the company has been in existence:
| Company number | Incorporated in |
|---|---|
| 400 | 1863 |
| 38,000 | 1893 |
| 120,000 | 1912 |
| 200,000 | 1924 |
| 300,000 | 1935 |
| 500,000 | 1951 |
| 600,000 | 1958 |
| 700,000 | 1961 |
| 800,000 | 1964 |
| 844,348 | 2 April 1965 |
| 900,000 | 1967 |
| 1,000,000 | 1971 |
| 1,500,000 | 1980 |
| 1,626,200 | 31 March 1982 |
| 2,000,000 | 1985 |
| 2,500,000 | 1990 |
| 3,000,000 | 1994 |
| 3,500,000 | 1998 |
| 4,000,000 | 2000 |
| 5,000,000 | 2004 |
| 6,000,000 | 2006 |
| 7,000,000 | 2009 |
| 8,000,000 | 2012 |
| 9,000,000 | 2014 |
| 10,000,000 | 2016 |
| 11,000,000 | 2017 |
| 12,000,000 | 2019 |
| 13,000,000 | 2020 |
Take-overs and mergers often involve a change, or an exchange, of company names and this provides a source of confusion. If, for example, a valuation at 31 March 1982 is requested at a file numbered 2,417,473, further investigation would be required as a company with that number could only have been incorporated since 1985 and some research may be necessary to establish the correct name and registration number of the company concerned at 31 March 1982.
Additional Guidance: SVM150000