Limited companies are a form of legal business where the company is a separate legal entity to the individuals who run it. All companies must keep records about the people who make decisions or are invested in the company. These are called ‘statutory registers’.

Where are statutory registers kept?

Before June 2016, companies had to keep their statutory registers either at their registered office, or a specific address available for inspection. Companies may now also choose to record their information on the public register at Companies House instead.

Information kept on the public register is available to anyone to read or make copies of. There are also special processes for getting onto the public register, which you can read about here.

What information must be recorded?

There are three statutory registers which must be kept: a register of members, a register of directors and their residential addresses, and a register of people with significant control. Before 2013, companies also had to keep a register of charges and debentures, related to their loans and securities.

Failing to create these registers and keep them up to date is a criminal offence.

Register of members

The register of members refers to a company’s shareholders. Companies ‘limited by guarantee’ are not required to submit this list of members. This register must include the following details:

  • Names and addresses
  • Number and type of shares owned
  • Amount paid for shares
  • Dates when people became / stopped being members

Register of directors

The register of directors needs to contain the following details about each director of the company:

  • Name and date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Country they usually live in
  • A service address
  • Business occupation

Register of directors’ usual residential addresses

On top of the register of directors, you are legally required to keep a register specifically for directors’ ‘usual residential addresses’.

PSC Register

The PSC register lists ‘people with significant control’ (PSC) over the company. A PSC is someone who:

  • Holds more than 25% of shares
  • Has more than 25% of voting rights
  • Can appoint or remove the majority of directors

 

The register must contain details about their:

  • Name
  • Service address
  • Nationality
  • Country they usually live in
  • Date of birth
  • Residential address
  • Date the person became a company member
  • The nature of the person’s control of the company (e.g. the percentage of shares they own)

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