PSC Register Service

A PSC Register (People with Significant Control Register) is a statutory record required by UK law. Every UK limited company must identify its PSCs, report their details to Companies House, and keep all information updated within 14 days of any change. Form My Company handles the entire process  accurately, quickly, and in full compliance with the Companies Act 2006.

What Is a PSC Register?

A PSC Register is the official record of individuals or legal entities that own or control a UK company. Since 18 November 2025, Companies House has held the central PSC register for all UK companies. Local registers at registered offices are abolished.

A Person with Significant Control (PSC) is defined under the Companies Act 2006 as any individual who meets one or more of the following 5 conditions in relation to a UK limited company:

1. Holds more than 25% of shares in the company
2. Holds more than 25% of voting rights in the company
3. Holds the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors
4. Otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company
5. Controls a trust or firm that itself meets one or more of the above conditions

A company can have 1 or more PSCs. If no individual meets any condition, the company must still file a statement confirming there are no registrable PSCs. The register at Companies House can never be blank.

Where a body corporate (rather than an individual) meets PSC conditions, it is classified as a Relevant Legal Entity (RLE) and must be reported accordingly. If a foreign company controls a UK company and is not listed on a specified regulated market, companies must “look through” it to identify the ultimate individual PSCs.

Why the PSC Register Is a Legal Requirement

Failing to maintain an accurate PSC Register is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Officers of a non-compliant company face uncapped fines and up to 2 years’ imprisonment. Non-compliance also blocks banking relationships, investment rounds, and regulatory approvals.

All UK companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), UK Societas (UKS), and eligible Scottish partnerships (ESPs) must comply with PSC reporting requirements. There are no exceptions for size. Small limited companies, single-director businesses, and overseas-owned UK subsidiaries are all subject to the same obligations.

The PSC register supports three public-interest functions:

• Corporate transparency — identifying beneficial owners behind UK companies
• Anti-money laundering — supporting law enforcement in financial crime investigations
• Investor protection — giving investors accurate ownership data before committing capital

From 18 November 2025, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 also introduced mandatory identity verification for all PSCs. Every PSC must complete identity verification through GOV.UK One Login or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and obtain a Companies House personal code.

What Counts as Significant Control? (Full Breakdown)

Significant control exists when an individual holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of shares or voting rights, has director appointment rights, or exercises de facto influence over company decisions. Control can be held directly or through a chain of other companies.

Key distinctions to understand:

• Direct control — an individual holds shares or rights in their own name
• Indirect control — an individual holds rights through another company or legal entity
• De facto control — an individual exercises actual influence regardless of formal rights (for example, a person whose recommendations the board routinely follows)
• RLE (Relevant Legal Entity) — a corporate body that controls a UK company and must be listed on the register in place of its own individual owners, where it is the first registrable entity in the chain

If your company structure involves trusts, partnerships, or overseas holding companies, the PSC rules require careful analysis. Form My Company’s Company Secretarial Service covers complex ownership structures for companies that need ongoing compliance support.

What Information Must Be Filed with Companies House?

For each PSC, you must file: full legal name, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, service address, residential address (protected from public view), nature of control, and the date they became a PSC. All details must be confirmed directly with the PSC before filing.

Companies House requires the nature of control to be recorded using specific percentage bands for shares or voting rights:

• Over 25% and not more than 50%
• More than 50% and less than 75%
• 75% or more

For each PSC, the following forms apply:

All PSC notifications carry a 14-day filing deadline from the date the change is confirmed. Missing that deadline is itself a criminal offence and triggers daily default fines for every officer of the company.

New Rules from 18 November 2025: What Has Changed?

From 18 November 2025, Companies House maintains the central PSC register for all UK companies. Local company PSC registers are abolished. All PSCs, new and existing, must complete identity verification and provide a Companies House personal code.

Three major changes are now in force:

1. Central Register Companies no longer maintain a separate PSC register at their registered office. All PSC information is held and displayed on the Companies House public register directly.

2. Mandatory Identity Verification: Every PSC must verify their identity. Verification is completed via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Upon verification, the PSC receives a unique Companies House personal code that must be quoted on all PSC filings.

Timelines for identity verification:

• New PSCs (registered after 18 November 2025): 14-day window from registration date
• Existing PSCs who are also directors: Verification period begins at the company’s next confirmation statement date
• Existing PSCs who are not directors: 14-day period begins from the first day of their month of birth on the register
• All existing PSCs: Must complete verification by 18 November 2026

3. Confirmation Statement Decoupling PSC information is no longer updated through the confirmation statement. Changes must be filed separately using the appropriate PSC forms (PSC01 to PSC07) within 14 days of confirmation.

If you need help filing your annual Confirmation Statement alongside your PSC update, Form My Company offers a combined service that saves time and reduces the risk of missed filings.

What Our PSC Register Service Includes

Form My Company’s PSC Register service covers the full process: ownership analysis, PSC identification, accurate document preparation, Companies House filing, and confirmation of compliance. You receive a completed, verified register with no gaps.

Our service includes:

• Review of your company’s current ownership and control structure
• Identification of all registrable PSCs and RLEs against all 5 statutory conditions
• Preparation or correction of PSC records to Companies House standards
• Filing of the correct PSC form (PSC01, PSC02, PSC04, or PSC07) within the required 14-day window
• Guidance on mandatory identity verification requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
• Ongoing update reminders when ownership structures change
• Digital storage of your PSC register and full change history through our online admin system

All filings are checked for accuracy before submission. No incomplete records are sent to Companies House.

Who Needs This Service

Any UK company that has experienced a change in ownership, shareholding, or control structure needs this service. Companies preparing for investment, banking KYC checks, or a confirmation statement filing also require an accurate PSC register.

This service is for:

• UK private limited companies (Ltd) — standard company structures with individual shareholders
• Public limited companies (PLC) — subject to the same PSC obligations
• Companies with complex ownership structures — indirect control chains, trusts, or multiple holding companies
• Overseas-owned UK companies — where foreign parent companies must be assessed as RLEs or looked through
• Companies undergoing director changes — a director appointment or resignation often triggers a PSC review; see our Director Appointment service and Director Resignation service
• Non-UK residents incorporating in the UK — see our Non-Residents UK Company package
• LLPs — Limited Liability Partnerships have PSC obligations under separate LLP-specific guidance

When Do You Need to Update Your PS Register?

You must update your PSC register at Companies House within 14 days of confirming any change. There is no grace period. Failure to file within 14 days is a criminal offence.

Trigger events that require a PSC update:

• A shareholder acquires more than 25% of shares or voting rights
• An existing PSC sells shares and drops below the 25% threshold
• A director gains the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board
• A company restructure changes who holds indirect control
• A PSC’s personal details change (name, address, nationality, or date of birth)
• A PSC passes away or becomes legally incapacitated
• The company incorporates for the first time  PSC details are required at incorporation

If someone refuses to provide PSC information, the company must serve a formal notice. Failure to respond within 1 month is a criminal offence. The company can apply to restrict the individual’s shares or voting rights. Continued non-compliance increases liability for every officer daily.

PSC Identity Verification: What Directors and PSCs Must Do

All PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House. Verification is a one-time process completed through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP. PSCs receive a Companies House personal code, which must be provided on all PSC registration forms.

From My Company’s Identity Verification Service: Director or PSC provides guided support for completing identity verification. This is particularly important for:

• Non-UK residents who cannot use GOV.UK One Login
• Existing PSCs who need to verify before the 18 November 2026 deadline
• New company incorporations where PSC verification is required at formation

Failure to complete identity verification blocks your ability to file changes with Companies House and results in the company’s register being flagged as non-compliant.

What Information Is Public on the PSC Register?

Most PSC information is publicly available on the Companies House register. Residential addresses and full dates of birth are protected. PSCs at genuine risk of violence or intimidation can apply for full register protection.

Information visible on the public register:

• Full legal name
• Month and year of birth (not full date)
• Nationality
• Country of usual residence
• Service address
• Nature of control and percentage bands
• Date of becoming a PSC

Information protected from public view:

• Full residential address (only month and year of birth are shown, not the full date)

PSCs who face a serious risk of violence or intimidation as a result of appearing on the register can apply to Companies House for complete information protection. Form My Company can advise on this application process.

How the Process Works (Step by Step)

Form My Company completes your PSC Register update in 3 clear steps. Standard processing takes 1–3 working days. Express processing is available for same-day or next working day completion.

Step 1 — Order and Provide Company Details (Day 1) Purchase the PSC Online Register service. Provide your company registration number, current shareholder and director information, and any relevant ownership documents. Our team reviews the structure and identifies all registrable PSCs and RLEs.

Step 2 — Preparation and Verification (Day 1–2) We prepare the accurate PSC records, confirm the nature of control for each individual or entity, and check all details against Companies House requirements. We flag any identity verification obligations and advise on next steps.

Step 3 — Filing and Confirmation (Day 2–3) We file the correct PSC forms with Companies House within the statutory 14-day window. Your PSC register is stored digitally in our online admin system. You receive confirmation of the completed filing and a record of all changes made.

PSC Online Register & Confirmation Statement (DIY) 

Combine PSC registration with your annual Confirmation Statement filing. Our system pre-fills existing company details. You confirm any changes. The Companies House filing fee is included. Suitable for companies handling both obligations at the same time.

Why Choose Form My Company for PSC Register Compliance?

Form My Company is a UK company compliance specialist. We process PSC filings accurately, store your complete register history digitally, and keep you informed of identity verification deadlines all at transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees.

• Companies House authorised filings — all submissions made through official Companies House channels
• 14-day compliance window — we file within the statutory deadline on every order
• Digital register storage — full PSC history stored securely in your online account
• Fixed transparent pricing — no hourly rates, no surprise charges
• Support before and after filing — available by email at info@formmycompany.uk
• Complete company compliance — pair your PSC update with our Company Secretarial Service, Apostilled Documents, or Certificate of Good Standing for full statutory compliance in a single order

Your PSC Register is a live legal obligation. Every change in ownership, control, or personal details must be filed with Companies House within 14 days. Non-compliance carries criminal penalties.