Guide to Checking Company Details Using UEN in Singapore

How to Look Up a Singapore Company Using Its Registration Number - A Comprehensive Guide for International Business

In international business activities, accurately understanding the background information of potential partners is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring transaction security. As one of the world's leading financial and commercial hubs, Singapore has attracted numerous foreign enterprises due to its efficient and transparent business environment. Learning how to look up a company’s basic information using its Singapore company registration number has become an essential skill for many investors, business professionals, and entrepreneurs.

1. What Is a Singapore Company Registration Number?

The Singapore company registration number, also known as the Unique Entity Number UEN, is a 9or 10-digit alphanumeric code issued by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority ACRA. It uniquely identifies every legally registered business or organization in Singapore. Whether it is a local company, a foreign branch office, or a non-profit organization, each receives its own UEN.

This number typically appears on contracts, invoices, business licenses, banking documents, and tax filings. It serves as a core identifier for verifying a company's legal status and legitimacy.

2. Why Conduct a Company Registration Number Search?

With increasing cross-border collaborations, more people need to verify whether their counterparts are legitimate businesses. Here are several key reasons

Due diligence before investment Confirm that the target company exists and is actively operating.

Qualification review during contract signing Ensure the party has the legal right to conduct business.

Background checks when hiring outsourcing services Avoid being scammed by shell companies.

Participation in tenders or procurement processes Meeting compliance requirements is often mandatory.

For those seeking to enter the Singapore market, performing a UEN lookup helps gain insights into industry conditions and competitive landscapes.

3. How to Look Up a Singapore Company Using the UEN

The official and most reliable way to search for company information is through ACRA’s Business Entities Search system at https//www.acra.gov.sg/https//www.acra.gov.sg/

Here are the steps

Step 1 Access the ACRA Website

Open your browser and go to the official website of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority https//www.acra.gov.sg/https//www.acra.gov.sg/

Step 2 Locate the Business Search Section

Click on Business Services from the top menu bar, then select Business Name and UEN Search to access the search interface.

Step 3 Enter the UEN or Company Name

You can input either the full UEN or use keywords related to the company name for a fuzzy search. If you have the complete UEN, it is recommended to use that for greater accuracy.

Step 4 Review the Search Results

The system will return basic information about the company, including

Company name

Date of registration

Current status e.g., active, deregistered, in liquidation

Business activities

Registered address

List of directors

Note that not all data is publicly accessible-financial statements or detailed shareholder information, for example, may only be available to authorized users or institutions.

4. Recommended Third-Party Tools

While ACRA remains the most authoritative source, some third-party platforms offer additional convenience and deeper insights

Crunchbase Useful for viewing funding history, executive teams, and growth trends.

Dun Bradstreet DB Provides credit ratings and supply chain relationship analysis.

Singapore Yellow Pages Ideal for finding contact details and service descriptions of small and medium-sized enterprises.

These platforms often aggregate multi-source data, offering a more comprehensive view of the target company.

5. Practical Tips and Key Considerations

1. Verify UEN Format Correctness

Common formats include 9-digit numbers e.g., 123456789 or 10-character combinations with letters e.g., T08LL1234K. Incorrect entries will result in failed searches.

2. Check the Company’s Current Status

Some companies may have ceased operations or had their licenses revoked. Always confirm the current status before proceeding with any business dealings.

3. Review Business Activities for Authenticity

The listed business scope can help assess whether a company is genuinely engaged in the claimed business-for instance, a medical equipment importer should have relevant classifications in its business activities.

4. Cross-Reference Information from Multiple Sources

Compare data from ACRA with other platforms to enhance reliability.

5. Protect Personal Information and Watch for Phishing Scams

Never disclose sensitive personal or login information during the search process. Be cautious of fake websites mimicking official portals.

6. Case Study A Successful Background Check

Recently, an e-commerce client was searching for a logistics partner in Singapore. He used the UEN to check the background of a potential provider. While the company had been registered for several years, he noticed no updates in the past three years, and the director list was empty.

Further investigation on third-party platforms revealed little public activity or customer feedback. Ultimately, the client decided against the partnership and chose another firm with transparent and active records, successfully avoiding a potential risk.

Conclusion

In today’s globalized economy, knowing how to look up a Singapore company using its UEN is not just about enhancing the safety and efficiency of business decisions-it is also a fundamental skill for expanding into overseas markets. By leveraging the ACRA platform and applying effective search strategies, anyone can perform preliminary background checks with ease, safeguarding their business interests effectively.