---
title: "How do I check a charity is registered? | CharityCompare"
description: "Search the charity"
source: https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/how-do-i-check-a-charity-is-registered
retrieved: 2026-08-18T00:47:34.885Z
license: "Charity data © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0"
---

Checking a charity

# How do I check a charity is registered?

**In short:** Search the charity's name or number on the official register for its nation — the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR for Scotland, or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Every CharityCompare profile links directly to the register entry. Charities under £5,000 income in England and Wales, and some excepted bodies such as many churches, can operate legitimately without a number.

Data from [CharityCompare editorial](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/), last updated 12 August 2026.

Search the name or registration number on the register for the relevant nation:

- **England and Wales** — the Charity Commission. Registration is compulsory above £5,000 income.

- **Scotland** — the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). All Scottish charities register regardless of income.

- **Northern Ireland** — the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Every rated CharityCompare profile links straight to the official register entry, so you can verify the source in one click.

**Legitimate exceptions.** Charities under £5,000 income in England and Wales need not register; some “excepted” bodies including many churches and scout groups, and “exempt” bodies such as most universities, also operate without a Commission number. A missing number is a reason to look closer, not proof of a scam — see [how to check a charity is legitimate](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/how-to-check-a-charity-is-legitimate).

## Related questions

- [→ How do I check a CCNI Northern Ireland charity number?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/ccni-charity-check)
- [→ Are charity collection bags through my door genuine?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/charity-collection-bags)
- [→ Are doorstep charity collectors legit?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/doorstep-charity-collectors)
- [→ How do I know if a UK charity is financially transparent?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/financially-transparent-charity)

Look up any UK charity's free Clarity Score from regulator filings.

[Search charities](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity-directory) [Read the guides](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides)

**Information only** — see [guides](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides) for more detail.