A Hong Kong company registration number is the unique identifier assigned to a company when it is incorporated. In practice, a Hong Kong company has two important numbers: the CR number shown on the Certificate of Incorporation, issued by the Companies Registry, and the Business Registration Number (BRN) shown on the business registration certificate, issued by the Inland Revenue Department. You can find yours on those two certificates, and you can look up or verify any Hong Kong company through the Companies Registry's online search service.
Both numbers matter, and mixing them up causes real problems when opening a bank account, signing contracts, or filing documents. This guide explains what each number is, where to find yours, and exactly how to check and verify a Hong Kong company using official sources.
The two numbers, and why people confuse them
Most of the confusion comes from assuming a company has a single number. It does not.
The CR number (company number). This is issued by the Companies Registry when your company is incorporated and appears on your Certificate of Incorporation. It identifies the legal entity itself.
The Business Registration Number (BRN). This is issued by the Inland Revenue Department and appears on your business registration certificate. Historically it was mainly a tax and business identifier, but Hong Kong moved to using the Business Registration Number as the unique company identifier across the Companies Registry's systems. That change is why the BRN now appears in company searches and is increasingly the number people ask for.
For everyday purposes, when a bank, supplier, or platform asks for your "company registration number," they usually want the number that identifies the entity in official records. If in doubt, provide both the CR number and the BRN so there is no ambiguity.
Where to find your own registration number
If the company is yours, the numbers are on documents you already hold:
- Certificate of Incorporation for the CR number.
- Business registration certificate for the Business Registration Number.
If you cannot locate the certificates, your company secretary or the provider who handled your incorporation will have them on file, since these documents are part of your statutory records. Anyone setting up a new entity receives both as part of the process, which we outline in our Hong Kong company registration cost guide.
How to check or verify another Hong Kong company
You do not need to be the owner to look up a Hong Kong company. The register is public, which is one reason Hong Kong companies are seen as credible. There are two levels of search.
Free basic search
The Companies Registry offers a free search that confirms whether a company exists and shows basic details such as its name, company number, and current status (for example, live or dissolved). This is enough for a quick check that a business is real and registered.
Paid detailed search
For deeper verification, the Companies Registry's online search service, commonly accessed through its e-Search platform (ICRIS), lets you buy detailed records for a small fee. These can include incorporation particulars, registered office, directors, and filed documents. This level of company search is what you use for genuine due diligence on a supplier, partner, or client.
A simple way to verify a Hong Kong company:
- Go to the Companies Registry's e-Search service.
- Search by the company name or company number.
- Confirm the entity exists and check its current status.
- For due diligence, purchase the detailed report to see directors, address, and filings.
Official guidance on obtaining company information is published by the Companies Registry.
Why the registration number matters
The number is not just a formality. You will be asked for it constantly:
- Opening a bank account. Banks verify the company against official records before approving an account, so the correct number speeds up onboarding.
- Contracts and invoices. Counterparties use it to confirm they are dealing with a real, registered entity.
- Filings and tax. Your dealings with the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department rely on the correct numbers.
- Due diligence. Anyone checking you, and anyone you check, starts from this number.
Because the number links to public records, getting it right also protects you. A quick company search before signing with a new supplier can reveal whether the business is active, dormant, or dissolved.
A quick reference
Number | Issued by | Shown on | What it identifies |
CR number (company number) | Companies Registry | Certificate of Incorporation | The legal entity |
Business Registration Number (BRN) | Inland Revenue Department | Business registration certificate | The registered business, now used as the unique company identifier |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hong Kong company registration number?
It is the unique identifier assigned when a company is incorporated. A Hong Kong company has a CR number on its Certificate of Incorporation and a Business Registration Number on its business registration certificate, with the BRN now used as the unique company identifier.
Is the CR number the same as the business registration number?
No. The CR number is issued by the Companies Registry and identifies the legal entity. The Business Registration Number is issued by the Inland Revenue Department. They are different, though the BRN is now the common identifier in company searches.
How do I check if a Hong Kong company is real?
Use the Companies Registry's online search. A free basic search confirms the company exists and shows its status, while a paid detailed search reveals directors, address, and filings for proper due diligence.
Can anyone look up a Hong Kong company?
Yes. Company information in Hong Kong is public and searchable through the Companies Registry, which is part of why Hong Kong companies are considered credible internationally.
Where do I find my own company's number?
On your Certificate of Incorporation for the CR number and your business registration certificate for the Business Registration Number. Your company secretary keeps copies as part of your statutory records.
The bottom line
A Hong Kong company registration number is simple once you know there are two of them: the CR number on the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Number on the business registration certificate, with the BRN now serving as the unique identifier. You find your own on those certificates, and you verify any Hong Kong company through the Companies Registry's public search, free for a basic check and paid for full due diligence. If you are setting up a new company and want both certificates handled correctly from the start, our Hong Kong company registration team can help.