UK Company Registers — What Records Must You Keep? 2026 Guide
Every UK Limited Company is legally required to maintain a set of “Statutory Registers.” While many Arab entrepreneurs think that filing with Companies House is enough, the law actually states that the “Official Record” of who owns and runs the company is what you keep internally at your Registered Office. In 2026, digital registers are the standard, but they must be accurate and accessible for inspection.
In this guide from Eteform.com, we explain which registers you need and how to maintain them.
The 5 Essential Statutory Registers
- Register of Members (Shareholders): The most important. Legally, a person is only a shareholder when their name is in this register, NOT when it appears on the government website.
- Register of Directors: Names, service addresses, and basic details of all current and past directors.
- Register of Directors’ Residential Addresses: Kept private and not for public inspection, but must be maintained.
- Register of PSC (Persons with Significant Control): Tracks who has more than 25% ownership or significant influence.
- Register of Charges (Mortgages): Records any company assets used as collateral for loans (rare for digital startups).
Where Must Registers Be Kept?
By default, they are kept at your Registered Office Address. However, you can choose a SAIL Address (Single Alternative Inspection Location) if you prefer to keep them with your lawyer or accountant. At Eteform, our Comprehensive Packages include maintaining these digital registers for you.
Digital vs. Physical Registers in 2026
While old-fashioned leather-bound books still exist, 99% of digital entrepreneurs use Cloud-based Registers.
– Benefits: Instant updates, easy sharing with banks during KYC checks, and no risk of losing paper documents.
Inspection Rights
Any shareholder can inspect the registers for free. Members of the public can also request an inspection for a small fee, provided they have a “proper purpose” (like a legal dispute or verifying ownership).
Table: Retention Periods for UK Business Records
| Record Type | Required Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Statutory Registers | Life of the Company + 10 Years after dissolution |
| Minutes of Board Meetings | 10 Years from the date of the meeting |
| VAT & Tax Records | 6 Years from the end of the tax year |
| Employee Records | 3 Years after employment ends |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Yes. When you use our “Registered Office” service, we ensure your internal registers match the filings we make at Companies House.
Q: Do I need a “Register of Secretaries”?
A: Only if you have actually appointed a Company Secretary. If not, this register is not required.
Q: What if I lose my registers?
A: You must perform a “Reconstruction of Registers” based on your incorporation documents and annual filings. We can help you with this process.
Conclusion: Organization is the Key to Safety
Proper record-keeping is not just a legal chore; it’s a shield that protects your ownership and your company’s reputation. Let Eteform.com handle the technicalities while you build your business.
Want to ensure your records are 100% compliant? Talk to Eteform about Compliance Management.