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LEI vs Business Registration Number in United Kingdom. An LEI is not the same as a United Kingdom business registration number from Companies House. The registration number identifies you locally; the LEI identifies you globally and uniquely in financial transactions.
Your Companies House registration number proves the entity exists in United Kingdom. The LEI is a globally recognised identifier under ISO 17442 used in financial reporting and counterparty checks worldwide.
The registration number is for domestic legal existence; the LEI is for financial-market identity. They complement, not replace, each other.
The LEI’s Level 1 reference data includes the Companies House registration number, linking the entity’s global LEI record with its UK company registration.
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Fast-Track LEI issuance in 2 to 4 UK working hours is available subject to data completeness, applicant authority, and successful compliance validation. Transfers from another GLEIF-accredited LOU are free.
No — it identifies you locally; the LEI is the global financial identifier.
Yes, for entities active in financial transactions or reporting.
Yes — it is recorded in the LEI's Level 1 data.
Yes. A UK company can provide its Companies House registration number during the LEI application process so its legal name, address and registration details can be checked against the official register.