What the law asks for
A PSC is usually someone who holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove a majority of the directors, or can otherwise influence or control the company.
GOV.UK says you must tell Companies House about any change to your PSC information within 14 days of confirming the change. That clock runs whichever option you choose, so leave time for review.
The filing is made for the company. Online, that normally means someone authorised by the company using the company authentication code.
Identity verification is a separate step
Since 18 November 2025, individual PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House and provide a personal code. GOV.UK says every PSC has a 14-day period to provide it. When that period falls depends on whether they were registered before 18 November 2025 and whether they are also a director.
Verifying through GOV.UK One Login is free. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) can verify someone instead and may charge for it.
Adding a PSC on PSC01 does not complete their identity verification. SimpleFilings offers a separate filing to link a verified personal code to an existing PSC role. We do not carry out identity checks ourselves.
Individual PSCs and relevant legal entities
PSC01, PSC04 and PSC07 cover individual people. If your company is controlled by another company, that owner may be a registrable relevant legal entity, which uses different forms (PSC02, PSC05 and PSC06).
Not every corporate shareholder is registrable. SimpleFilings sends these cases to document review first. We check the entity type and the right route before you pay.
Worked example: one shareholder sells to another
Anna sells her 40% stake to Ben, who already held 20%. Anna stops being a PSC (PSC07). Ben now holds 60%, so his nature of control changes (PSC04). That is two filings.
Filing yourself: £0 Companies House fee + £0 service fee = £0.
SimpleFilings: £0 Companies House fee + 2 × £4.99 = £9.98 in total.
Accountant: £0 Companies House fee + their fee. Ask for the total for both filings in writing.
The share transfer itself is separate. Stamp Duty may apply, and the company must update its register of members.
Who each option suits
- File yourself if you are confident about who is a PSC, the nature of their control and the dates, and you are happy using the Companies House online service.
- Use SimpleFilings if you want a guided form and a check before filing, for £4.99 per filing with no subscription.
- Use an accountant if control is complex, involves trusts or overseas entities, or you want advice on whether someone counts as a PSC at all.
When another option may suit you better
- Filing yourself on GOV.UK costs nothing and can be quicker for a simple change you already understand.
- An accountant may be able to advise on whether someone is a PSC, which SimpleFilings does not provide.
- Some accountants and formation agents bundle PSC changes with share transfers, minutes and register updates, which can suit a bigger restructure.
- Some accountants are ACSPs and can verify a PSC's identity for them. SimpleFilings does not carry out identity checks.
- An accountant may offer phone or face-to-face support if you prefer that to an online form.