Register of Persons with Significant Control (PSC) — A Guide 2026
In the interest of global financial transparency, the UK government introduced the PSC Register. For an Arab founder, this is arguably the most critical “anti-money laundering” (AML) requirement. You must identify and report anyone who has significant power or control over your UK Limited Company. In 2026, transparency is the foundation for maintaining Wise, Stripe, and Payoneer accounts without disruptions.
In this guide from Eteform.com, we explain how to identify a PSC and fulfill your legal duties.
Who is a “Person with Significant Control” (PSC)?
A person is usually a PSC if they meet one or more of these 5 conditions:
- Ownership: Holds more than 25% of the company’s shares.
- Voting Rights: Holds more than 25% of the voting rights.
- Board Power: Has the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors.
- Significant Influence: Has the right to exercise “significant influence or control” over the company.
- Trust/Firm Control: Controls a trust or firm that would meet any of the above 4 conditions.
Strict Deadlines for PSC Updates
The rules around PSC are much stricter than other filings:
- 14 Days: To update your internal PSC register after a change.
- 14 Days: To notify Companies House after updating your internal register.
What Information is Public?
To prevent fraud and money laundering, some PSC information is visible to the public:
- Public: Name, month/year of birth, nationality, country of residence, and nature of control.
- Private: Day of birth and full home address (unless it’s the same as the service address).
How to Manage Your PSC Status (How-To)
Step 1: Identify Potential PSCs
If you have partners or investors, calculate their total voting power. Eteform helps you with this analysis during Share Transfers.
Step 2: Send Notice
You must formally “ask” the person to confirm their details before adding them to the register. This protects the company from reporting errors.
Step 3: Digital Filing
We submit the PSC notification (Forms PSC01, PSC02, etc.) to Companies House on your behalf to ensure 100% compliance.
Table: Penalties for Non-Compliance in 2026
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Failure to identify PSC | Criminal offense for Directors (Fines or Prison) |
| Missing PSC Filings | Company strike-off / Bank account closure |
| Providing False Info | Immediate legal action by HMRC/Companies House |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Yes. If a company owns another company, it is called a “Relevant Legal Entity” (RLE), and it must be reported in the same way.
Q: What if no one owns more than 25%?
A: You must state on the public register that “The company has no reportable PSC.”
Q: Does this affect my privacy?
A: While your name is public, your Home Address remains hidden as long as you use Eteform’s Service Address.
Conclusion: Transparency Leads to Trust
A transparent PSC register is a sign of a legitimate, global business. By complying with these rules, you open doors to the best international banking and payment systems.
Need to update your company’s PSC information? Let Eteform Handle Your PSC Filings correctly.