Directory · 12 entries

Company registers: what each one shows and how to get access

This directory lists official registers that record companies and, in some places, the people who control them. Each row says what the register shows and how the public reaches it, from the owner's own pages. Blank cells mean the page read did not state the fact. The UK service shows previous company names for free ², and the US beneficial ownership database now covers only foreign reporting companies ¹².

Last checked 6 November 2026

12 / 12

Companies House register
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
What it shows
Registered address, incorporation date, current and resigned officers, document images, charges, previous company names and insolvency information ²
Access and cost
These details are free ². Certificates and certified documents can be ordered online ¹
Source
GOV.UK ², Companies House ¹
Central register of people with significant control
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
What it shows
People with more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who can appoint or remove a majority of directors, or who control the company ³
Access and cost
Some people can apply to keep their PSC details off the public register ³. Company-kept PSC registers were removed from 18 November 2025 ⁴
Source
GOV.UK ³, legislation.gov.uk ⁴
Registerportal der Länder
Jurisdiction
Germany
What it shows
Commercial, cooperative, partnership, company and association registers of all federal states, plus register announcements ⁵
Source
Registerportal ⁵
KVK Business Register
Jurisdiction
Netherlands
What it shows
Companies and organisations ⁶
Access and cost
Public. Anyone can view the information or request it ⁶
Source
KVK ⁶
Business Registers Interconnection System
Jurisdiction
European Union
What it shows
A single search across the business registers of all EU countries ⁷
Access and cost
Search through the European e-Justice Portal, available as of June 2017 ⁷
Source
European e-Justice Portal ⁷
ASIC registers
Jurisdiction
Australia
What it shows
Company and organisation registers, business names, banned and disqualified registers and lodged documents ⁸
Access and cost
Online search, with separate journalist access to the business registers ⁸
Source
ASIC ⁸
Australian Business Register
Jurisdiction
Australia
What it shows
Every entity registered for an ABN ⁹
Access and cost
ABN Lookup, by ABN, ACN or name ⁹
Source
ABN Lookup ⁹
Delaware Division of Corporations
Jurisdiction
United States
What it shows
Entity name, file number, incorporation or formation date and registered agent ¹⁰
Access and cost
Basic details free. Additional information for a fee ¹⁰
Source
Delaware Division of Corporations ¹⁰
FinCEN beneficial ownership information database
Jurisdiction
United States
What it shows
Beneficial ownership reports from foreign entities registered to do business in a US state or tribal jurisdiction. US companies are exempt under a final rule effective 14 August 2026 ¹¹
Access and cost
Not a public register. FinCEN said on 11 August 2026 it will delete information previously reported by US persons now exempt ¹²
Source
FinCEN ¹¹, US Treasury ¹²
Companies Registry, Business Registration Service
Jurisdiction
Kenya
What it shows
Companies, limited liability partnerships, business names, debentures and charges ¹³
Access and cost
Official Search service ¹³
Source
Business Registration Service ¹³
Corporate Affairs Commission
Jurisdiction
Nigeria
What it shows
Nigeria's corporate registry under the Companies and Allied Matters Act ¹⁴
Access and cost
Search Businesses public search tool ¹⁴
Source
Corporate Affairs Commission ¹⁴
Global LEI index
Jurisdiction
Global
What it shows
Level 1 data on who is who and Level 2 data on who owns whom ¹⁵
Access and cost
GLEIF LEI Search, free ¹⁶
Source
GLEIF ^15,16

Notes

Public access to beneficial ownership registers in the EU changed after the Court of Justice ruled on 22 November 2022 that access by any member of the public in all cases was invalid ¹⁷.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@entitydossier.com.

Companies House register

Central register of people with significant control

Registerportal der Länder

KVK Business Register

Business Registers Interconnection System

ASIC registers

Australian Business Register

Delaware Division of Corporations

FinCEN beneficial ownership information database

Companies Registry, Business Registration Service

Corporate Affairs Commission

Global LEI index

Notes

Sources