What Is a PSC? Companies House PSC Explained

A person with significant control (PSC) is an individual who owns or controls a UK company. Companies House maintains a public register of PSCs for every company, and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) now requires each PSC to verify their identity. If you hold a controlling interest in a UK company, understanding your PSC status is the first step towards meeting your verification obligations.

How Companies House defines a PSC

You are a PSC if you meet one or more of the following conditions in relation to a UK company:

• You hold more than 25% of the company’s shares
• You hold more than 25% of the company’s voting rights
• You have the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors
• You have the right to exercise, or actually exercise, significant influence or control over the company
• You have the right to exercise, or actually exercise, significant influence or control over the activities of a trust or firm that itself satisfies one of the above conditions

A company can have more than one PSC, and a person can be a PSC of multiple companies. PSC status is separate from being a director — although many directors are also PSCs, the two roles carry distinct obligations on the Companies House register.

Why PSC information matters

The PSC register was introduced to increase transparency around who really owns and controls UK companies. Before this requirement, it was possible to hide behind nominee arrangements and corporate chains. The register is publicly searchable, and Companies House uses it to help prevent fraud, money laundering and other economic crime.

Under ECCTA, the accuracy requirements for the PSC register have been strengthened. Every PSC must now verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code to confirm they are who they say they are. This is part of a broader programme to make the UK company register more reliable.

PSC identity verification requirements

Every PSC must complete Companies House identity verification and receive an 11-character personal code. This code must then be linked to each company where you are registered as a PSC. There are two routes to verify:

1. GOV.UK One Login — a self-service route using a UK passport or UK driving licence
2. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — a guided route that accepts a wider range of identity documents, including foreign passports

If you do not have a UK passport or driving licence, or if you live outside the UK, the ACSP route is likely to be your best option. Companies House ID Verification offers a guided ACSP verification service for PSCs at a fixed £19 fee.

PSC verification deadlines

The deadline for existing PSCs to complete identity verification is November 2026. Each PSC has an individual 14-day window in which to provide their personal code, based on their circumstances. New PSCs appointed after 18 November 2025 must verify before or shortly after their appointment is registered. Read the official Companies House deadline guidance for specific dates.

What happens if a PSC does not verify

A PSC who fails to complete identity verification on time may face a financial penalty. Companies House can also annotate the public register to show that verification has not been completed. In serious cases, failing to comply is a criminal offence under ECCTA.

Next steps for PSCs

If you are a PSC or think you might be, check your company’s PSC register on the Companies House register. Make sure your recorded details are accurate, then complete your identity verification well before your deadline. Visit our who needs to verify page for a clear breakdown of every role that falls within the requirement.