Public certification information

Certificated Bailiff Register

Check whether an enforcement agent holds a current county court certificate or search for a person who has applied for a new or renewed certificate.

Search the Official Register View Current Applications
UK Bailiffs enforcement agent certification information
An official Ministry of Justice register Search results are supplied by the government register and are not maintained by UK Bailiffs.
01

Check a certificate

Search by the enforcement agent’s name to see the certificate details currently shown on the official register.

02

Check an application

View people applying for a new certificate or renewing an existing certificate.

03

Verify a UK Bailiffs agent

Use our separate verification service or call 0330 133 1818 if someone says they are attending for UK Bailiffs.

Understanding the register

What is the Certificated Enforcement Agent Register?

The register holds details of enforcement agents in England and Wales who hold a certificate permitting them to exercise enforcement powers under the statutory taking-control-of-goods procedure.

An enforcement agent may use those powers to take control of goods and, where the law permits, arrange for controlled goods to be sold to recover an enforceable debt.

The public service also provides details of people applying for a new certificate or renewing an existing certificate, including the court and hearing information shown on the register.

Certification and public scrutiny

Why certification matters

Certification provides a court-based process for assessing whether an individual is suitable to exercise statutory enforcement powers.

01

Fitness to Hold a Certificate

A judge must be satisfied that an applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a certificate and has sufficient knowledge of enforcement law and procedure.

Serious concerns about an applicant or an existing certificate holder may be brought to the attention of the appropriate court, supported by relevant evidence.

02

Check Current Applications

The applications search identifies people applying for certification or renewal and may provide details of the court dealing with the application and the proposed hearing.

Relevant evidence submitted before the hearing may be considered by the judge when deciding whether the certificate should be granted or renewed.

Important distinction

Not every person called a bailiff appears on this register

The register concerns certificated enforcement agents. County Court bailiffs are court employees and are not listed as certificated enforcement agents merely because of their role.

High Court Enforcement Officers are authorised under a separate system, although certificated enforcement agents acting on their behalf may appear on this register.

Official search

Check an enforcement agent

Search by name using the official government service or view current applications for new and renewed certificates.

Search Certificate Holders Search Applications

Is someone claiming to represent UK Bailiffs?

Check the person through our enforcement agent verification page or telephone our verification line before making payment or providing information.

Verify an Agent Working with UK Bailiffs Call 0330 133 1818