To check if an Irish company is legitimate, search the Companies Registration Office (CRO) register for its registration number, verify its status is "Normal," confirm the directors are real people, and check that it has filed recent annual returns. Here is exactly how to do each step.
Step 1: Search the CRO Register
Every legitimate Irish company must be registered with the CRO and assigned a unique registration number. Search for the company by name or CRO number on Businesses.ie or on the CRO's own CORE system at core.cro.ie.
If the company does not appear on either system, it is not registered in Ireland. This does not necessarily mean it is fraudulent — it may be a sole trader, partnership, or foreign company — but it is not an Irish registered company.
Step 2: Check the Company Status
Every registered company has a status on the CRO register. The main statuses are:
- Normal — the company is active and in compliance with CRO filing requirements
- Struck Off — the company has been removed from the register, usually for failing to file annual returns
- Dissolved — the company has been permanently wound up
- In Receivership — a receiver has been appointed over the company's assets
- In Liquidation — the company is being formally wound down
A legitimate, trading company should have a status of "Normal." Any other status is a red flag that requires further investigation. Learn more about what each CRO status means.
Step 3: Verify the Directors
Check who the company's directors are using the director search tool. Legitimate companies have identifiable directors with real names. Warning signs include:
- Only one director who is also the secretary (legal, but higher risk)
- Directors with no other company associations
- Directors who have been associated with multiple struck-off companies
- Recently appointed directors replacing all previous directors
Step 4: Check Filing History
A company that files its annual returns on time is more likely to be well-managed and legitimate. Search for the company on Businesses.ie to see:
- Total number of CRO filings
- Date of the most recent B1 annual return
- Whether financial statements have been filed
A company with no filings in 2+ years, or with a long gap between filings, may be dormant or non-compliant. This is a significant red flag for due diligence purposes.
Step 5: Verify the Registered Address
Every Irish company must have a registered office address in Ireland. Check whether the address is a real business premises or a virtual office/registered agent address. While using a registered agent is legal and common, a company claiming to operate from a specific location should have a matching registered address.
Step 6: Check for Revenue Registration
A legitimate trading company should be registered for tax with Revenue. You can verify VAT registration using Revenue's VIES VAT validation tool (for Irish VAT numbers starting with "IE"). However, not all companies are VAT-registered — those below the threshold (€80,000 for goods, €40,000 for services) are not required to register.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Company was incorporated very recently (within the last few months)
- No annual returns have been filed since incorporation
- The company status is anything other than "Normal"
- Directors have been associated with struck-off or dissolved companies
- The registered address is in a different location than claimed
- The company name is very similar to a well-known brand (possible impersonation)
Check the regulator when the service is regulated
CRO registration does not authorise regulated services. If you are dealing with an investment, payment, insurance or other financial provider, complete the separate Central Bank register check. For an estate, letting or property management agent, verify the relevant PSRA licence. The company and regulator records answer different questions and both must match the person contacting you.
Summary
Check legitimacy by searching the CRO register, verifying "Normal" status, confirming directors are identifiable, checking filing history is up to date, and verifying the registered address. Use Businesses.ie to perform all these checks in one search. If a website or invoice uses a different brand, first connect the trading name to the legal company.