Guidance Note: Register of Members

Companies are required to maintain a register of members under the Companies Act 2006.

The register of members is the definitive record of share ownership in a private limited company. This guidance note explains the key legal and practical requirements for maintaining that statutory register.

How the ECCTA changes the register of members

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2006 (ECCTA) introduces important changes affecting the register of members, and this guidance note reflects those changes.

The most significant change is that from 18 November 2025, private companies will no longer be able to keep their register of members at Companies House. They must maintain their own register of members at their registered office or a SAIL. At the same time, all other statutory registers are being abolished.

What this guidance note explains

• who is responsible for maintaining the register of members;
• how to keep the register and what it should contain;
• where the register must be kept, including at the registered office or a SAIL;
• the ECCTA changes affecting the register of members;
• indexing the register;
• points to consider for single member companies;
• who should be entered as a member;
• data protection and protecting member information;
• updating the register, removing entries and access to the register; and
• rectifying the register where changes or corrections are required.

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