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How to verify VAT Number in UK?

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Verify VAT number in UK online using HMRC service​

You can check the validity of a VAT number from the HMRC website for free. You can access the HMRC VAT lookup service here. Submit your own VAT number alongside the number you wish to verify to receive an Acknowledgement Number — official proof of the verification for audit purposes.

To verify a UK VAT number:

  1. Go to the HMRC Check VAT Number service.
  2. Enter your own VAT number (to receive an Acknowledgement Number).
  3. Enter the VAT number to verify (9 digits, without the GB prefix).
  4. Submit — results appear immediately.
UK VAT lookup
VAT verification on HMRC website

A successful VAT number verification on the UK HMRC site returns the following details:

  • Status of the VAT number
  • Acknowledgement Number (proof of verification)
  • Details of the business:
    • Name of the business
    • Registered address including postcode
  • Time of validation
UK VAT verification status
VAT verification status

Validate syntax of a UK VAT number​

UK VAT numbers are either 9 or 12 digits. Government departments use a 5-character format (GD or HA prefix).

Regex: (GB)?([0-9]{9}([0-9]{3})?|[A-Z]{2}[0-9]{3})

  • (GB)? — optional GB prefix
  • [0-9]{9}([0-9]{3})? — 9 digits, optionally followed by 3 more (12 total for VAT groups)
  • [A-Z]{2}[0-9]{3} — two-letter prefix (GD or HA) + 3 digits for government/health authorities

For more details on UK tax identifiers, see our UK Tax ID Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the format of a UK VAT number, and how can I validate it before querying HMRC?​

A standard UK VAT number is 9 digits (e.g. 123456789), displayed internationally as GB 123456789. Extended formats: 12 digits for VAT group members (9 + 3); GD + 3 digits for government departments; HA + 3 digits for health authorities. The 9-digit number uses a Modulo 97 check digit: multiply the first 7 digits by weights 8,7,6,5,4,3,2; subtract the sum from the last two digits × 1; result must be divisible by 97. Northern Ireland (XI prefix) numbers follow the same 9-digit format. [1]

The HMRC service requires my own VAT number — what if I don't have a UK VAT number?​

You can still verify without your own VAT number — HMRC returns the result (valid/invalid + company name + address) in both cases. Without your own VAT number: verification works but no Acknowledgement Number is issued. With your own VAT number: HMRC issues an Acknowledgement Number — the equivalent of VIES's Consultation Number for UK VAT audit documentation. Non-UK businesses can leave the "your VAT number" field empty. [1]

What is the UK VAT registration threshold and current VAT rates?​

UK VAT registration threshold: £90,000 annual taxable turnover (effective 1 April 2024). UK VAT rates: (1) Standard 20% — most goods and services; (2) Reduced 5% — domestic fuel, children's car seats, energy-saving materials, smoking cessation products; (3) Zero 0% — food, children's clothing, books and newspapers (print and digital), passenger transport, new residential construction, prescription medicines; (4) Exempt (no input VAT reclaim) — financial services, insurance, education, health services. [1]

After Brexit, how do non-UK businesses register for UK VAT?​

Non-UK businesses may need UK VAT registration if: (1) selling goods in the UK (e.g. via Amazon UK marketplace); (2) selling online goods to UK consumers shipped from outside the UK where the consignment exceeds £135; (3) supplying digital services to UK consumers above the £90,000 UK threshold. Register via HMRC's VAT1 form at hmrc.gov.uk. The UK no longer accepts EU OSS registrations for UK VAT purposes — a separate UK registration is required. [1]

What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT?​

MTD for VAT mandates that all UK VAT-registered businesses keep digital records and submit returns via MTD-compatible software (not HMRC's portal). Phased in from April 2019 (above £85,000 threshold), extended to all VAT-registered businesses from April 2022. MTD does not affect how you verify a UK VAT number — the check-VAT-number service is unchanged. MTD compliance is an internal HMRC matter and is not verifiable from the VAT number check. [1]

Is there an HMRC API for programmatic UK VAT number verification?​

Yes. HMRC provides a VAT Number Validation API on the HMRC Developer Hub (developer.service.hmrc.gov.uk) — RESTful, returns company name, address, and validity. Developer registration required; test sandbox available; rate limits apply. A separate VAT MTD API handles VAT return submission (auth-required). For very high volumes, third-party services like Lookuptax's UK VAT validation offer better scalability. [1]

My UK supplier's VAT number shows as invalid — what could have happened?​

Common causes: (1) Deregistration — turnover fell below the deregistration threshold (£88,000) and the supplier applied to deregister; (2) Compulsory deregistration — HMRC cancelled for non-compliance; (3) Business cessation — the company wound up; (4) VAT group change — the entity moved in/out of a VAT group and the group number changed. Ask the supplier for their HMRC VAT certificate (VAT4). If HMRC confirms the number is invalid, you cannot reclaim input VAT on invoices after the deregistration date. [1]

How Lookuptax can help you in VAT validation?

Lookuptax VAT validation revolutionizes VAT number validation with its robust platform, empowering businesses to seamlessly verify VAT numbers across over 100 countries. Our cutting-edge technology ensures accurate and efficient validation, reducing errors and enhancing compliance.