Company registers

You should use this document either:

• when you first set up your company, to meet your legal record-keeping obligations;
• if your company does not currently have registers and needs to comply with its legal record-keeping obligations; or
• if you want to consolidate your existing registers into an easy-to-use electronic format.

You can also use this document if you need to update your company registers, but are unsure how to go about it.

Note, if you keep your company registers on the public Companies House central register, there is no need for you to use these separate template registers. Most small companies do not use the central register, however, and unless you made a positive election to keep your company registers on the public central register at incorporation or after, this will not apply to your company. If you are unsure, for further guidance on the Companies House central register, see Where to keep company records.

These template registers include a:

• register of members (or register of shareholders);
• register of directors;
• register of secretaries;
• register of directors’ residential addresses; and
• register of persons with significant control (or PSC register).

For each register, there are guidance notes on how to complete the register; an example completed register to demonstrate how it should look; and a blank version for you to complete and duplicate as required.

You need to keep up to date registers in order to comply with your company’s legal record-keeping obligations. Failing to have registers, and/or failing to keep them up to date, is an offence committed by both your company and any officers at fault. Both your company and the officers at fault can face a fine if prosecuted.

Beyond legal penalties, deficiencies in your record-keeping will also make a poor impression on anybody carrying out due diligence on your business. Potential lenders, investors or buyers may be put off if you don’t have your house in order.

For specific guidance on your legal obligation to keep each company register, see:

• Keeping a register of members;
• Keeping a register of directors;
• Keeping a register of secretaries;
• Keeping a register of directors’ residential addresses;
• Keeping a PSC register.

For a handy checklist of all the documents your company should keep at its registered office (or alternative inspection location), including your company registers, see Documents to store at your registered office. For detailed guidance on your company’s record-keeping obligations, see Maintaining a company’s books and records.