Trust Scores Explained
Every company profile includes a trust score out of 100, calculated from 7 checks on publicly available Companies House data.
What Is a Trust Score?
A trust score is a quick way to assess how much verifiable public information exists for a UK company. It is calculated automatically from data held by Companies House, the UK government's official register of companies.
The score runs from 0 to 100. A higher score means the company has more checks in order — it's active, filing on time, has directors, and has declared its ownership. A lower score means some of that information is missing, overdue, or indicates the company may no longer be trading.
The trust score is based on publicly available Companies House data. It is not a credit check, financial audit, or guarantee of a company's reliability.
The 7 Checks
Each check evaluates a specific piece of public data and awards points if the requirement is met.
Company is active
20 ptsConfirms the company has not been dissolved, struck off, or entered liquidation. An active status is the strongest single indicator.
Trading for 2+ years
15–20 ptsAwards 15 points if the company has been incorporated for at least 2 years. A bonus 5 points is added for companies trading for 10 years or more.
Registered address on file
10 ptsChecks that the company has a publicly listed registered office address with Companies House, as required by law.
Has active directors
15 ptsVerifies that the company has at least one officer (director or secretary) who has not resigned. Companies without active directors may be dormant or abandoned.
Filed with Companies House recently
15 ptsChecks whether the most recent filing (accounts, confirmation statement, etc.) was submitted within the last 400 days. Regular filing is a legal requirement.
Accounts not overdue
10 ptsConfirms that the company's accounts are not flagged as overdue by Companies House. Overdue accounts can indicate financial difficulty or neglect.
Persons with significant control declared
10 ptsVerifies that at least one Person with Significant Control (PSC) has been registered. Since 2016, all UK companies must declare who owns or controls them.
Score Levels
Scores are grouped into four levels to give a quick sense of how well a company's public records check out.
All or nearly all checks passed. The company is active, filing regularly, and has transparent ownership. This is the majority of healthy, trading companies.
Most checks passed but one or two areas need attention — perhaps a newer company, or a filing that's slightly late. Worth a closer look but not necessarily a concern.
Several checks failed. The company may be very new, have overdue accounts, or be missing key filings. Exercise caution and investigate further before doing business.
Multiple checks failed. The company may be dissolved, have no active directors, or show signs of abandonment. Significant due diligence is recommended.
How to Use Trust Scores
Search for any company on UK Company Hub and the trust score appears at the top of their profile. Below the score, you'll see each of the 7 checks individually — which passed and which didn't — so you can understand exactly why a company scored the way it did.
Trust scores are most useful as a starting point. If you're considering doing business with a company, check their score to get a quick snapshot of their public filings. If something looks off — overdue accounts, no active directors, or a very low score — dig deeper before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the trust score a credit check?
No. The trust score is based entirely on publicly available Companies House data. It does not assess financial health, creditworthiness, or payment history. For credit checks, use a dedicated credit reference agency.
Can a legitimate company have a low score?
Yes. A brand-new company will naturally score lower because it hasn't built up filing history or years of trading. A low score doesn't mean a company is fraudulent — it means less public data is available to verify it.
How often is the data updated?
Trust scores are calculated in real-time using the latest data from the Companies House API. If a company files new documents or updates their records, the score will reflect that immediately.
Why does the score go up to 100?
The maximum score is 100 points, but a company trading for 10+ years can earn a bonus 5 points on the age check, making 100 achievable. Most well-established companies score between 85 and 100.
Can I use the trust score for business decisions?
The trust score is a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for it. It tells you whether a company's public filings are in order, but cannot tell you about their financial performance, reputation, or reliability.
Check a Company's Trust Score
Search for any UK company to see their trust score and detailed breakdown.
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