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PSC03 Form UK: Notify Registrable Persons (Guide)

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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If your company is controlled or significantly influenced by something other than an individual or a standard UK company, for example a local authority, a corporation sole, or a government department, you may need to file form PSC03. This is the Companies House notice used to register an 'other registrable person' (ORP) on the People with Significant Control register. Getting the PSC register right matters because errors or late filings can lead to enforcement action against the company and its officers. On this page I walk through what PSC03 covers, who counts as an ORP, what information you need to gather before you start, and the practical points that tend to trip people up when they sit down to complete the form.

What this document is

Form PSC03 is the Companies House filing used to notify the registrar that an 'other registrable person' with significant control has been entered on the company's own PSC register. The PSC regime was introduced under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and sits within the Companies Act 2006 framework.

Most PSCs are individuals, notified on form PSC01, or relevant legal entities such as UK companies notified on PSC02. PSC03 is the less common filing, used where the controlling entity does not fit into either category but is still treated in law as a registrable person, for example a government minister, a local authority, or a corporation sole.

The form captures the ORP's name, principal office, legal form, the law that governs it, and the nature of its control over the company, such as holding more than 25 percent of shares or voting rights, the power to appoint or remove a majority of the board, or the ability to exercise significant influence or control.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm the entity is actually an 'other registrable person'. Before reaching for PSC03, check whether the person behind the control is an individual (use PSC01) or a UK relevant legal entity (use PSC02). ORPs are a narrower category, typically covering bodies like government departments, local authorities, and corporations sole. Using the wrong form will mean rejection.
  2. Gather the required information about the ORP. You will need the full legal name, the principal office address, the legal form of the entity (for example, 'government department' or 'local authority'), and the law that governs it (for example, the law of England and Wales). Have this written down and verified before you start, because inconsistencies are a common cause of filing issues.
  3. Identify the correct nature of control conditions. The form asks you to tick specific statements describing how control is exercised, such as holding shares, holding voting rights, the power to appoint or remove directors, or significant influence or control. For shares and voting rights there are banded percentages (over 25 percent, over 50 percent, or 75 percent or more). Pick only the conditions that genuinely apply.
  4. Record the date the ORP became registrable and update the internal PSC register. The company must first enter the ORP on its own PSC register, which every company is required to maintain. The date used on PSC03 should match the date the person's details were entered on that internal register, not the date the filing is sent.
  5. File the form with Companies House within 14 days. Once the internal register is updated, the company has 14 days to file PSC03 so Companies House can update the public register. Filing can be done on paper or online through the WebFiling service. Keep a copy of what was submitted alongside your statutory registers.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who counts as an 'other registrable person'?
An ORP is a person who is not an individual and not a relevant legal entity under the PSC rules, but who still meets one or more of the control conditions over the company. In practice this tends to mean bodies like UK government departments, Scottish ministers, local authorities, and corporations sole. If the controlling party is an ordinary UK company, you will normally use PSC02 rather than PSC03.
Q What are the PSC conditions of control?
There are five statutory conditions. They cover holding more than 25 percent of the shares, holding more than 25 percent of the voting rights, the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board, the right to exercise or actually exercising significant influence or control, and the same test applied through a trust or firm without legal personality. You tick every condition that applies on the form.
Q When does PSC03 need to be filed?
The company must first enter the ORP's details on its own PSC register once it has all the required information and has confirmed the particulars. From that point, the company has 14 days to update the internal register and a further 14 days to notify Companies House using PSC03. Missing those deadlines is a criminal offence for the company and its officers.
Q What happens if we get the PSC filings wrong?
Failing to keep the PSC register accurate, failing to file PSC forms on time, or filing false information can lead to prosecution of the company and its directors, and in some cases restrictions on the relevant interest. Companies House can also reject filings that are inconsistent or incomplete. If you have discovered an error in a previous filing, it should be corrected as soon as possible.
Q Do we still need to keep an internal PSC register if we file PSC03?
Yes. The duty to keep an internal PSC register is separate from the duty to notify Companies House. Every company within scope must maintain its own register, even if it has no PSCs (in which case a prescribed statement is entered instead). PSC03 updates the public record at Companies House, it does not replace the internal register.
Q Is there a filing fee for PSC03?
Companies House does not currently charge a fee for filing PSC notifications such as PSC03, whether filed on paper or through WebFiling. Fees and services can change, so it is worth checking the current position on gov.uk before you file. Note that any fee LegalDocuments.co.uk charges is for the telephone guidance service, not for the Companies House filing itself.
Q Can a PSC03 be filed online?
Yes. Most companies file PSC changes through the Companies House WebFiling service or via compatible software, which is generally faster and reduces the risk of rejection. Paper filing is still accepted. Whichever route you use, the underlying information requirements are the same, and the 14 day deadline for notification applies in both cases.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.