Register Of Overseas Entities - get compliant now

What Is The Register Of Overseas Entities?

The Register of Overseas Entities is a public database established by the UK government to increase transparency in the ownership of overseas entities that own UK property.

This register mandates that overseas entities disclose their beneficial owners and managing officers, providing a clear picture of who ultimately owns or controls the entity.

By requiring this disclosure, the initiative aims to prevent the use of UK property by corrupt individuals and promote economic transparency.

This measure is crucial in ensuring that the ownership of UK property is transparent and accountable, thereby deterring illicit activities and fostering a fairer economic environment.

Does your non UK entity own property in the UK?

Register your entity effortlessly with our comprehensive Register of Overseas Entity service.

A Tailored service for you with streamlined experience. Using the latest in technology so that the process is as simple as possible for you.
As Notaries regulated in England and Wales. We have the necessary skills set and expertise in verifying information on overseas entities.
We are a UK regulated Agent for the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022.
We can get you compliant in as soon as 24 hours.

We also provide further guidance to help you navigate the verification process and ensure compliance with all regulatory compliance. 

Start the process now 

If you have any questions feel free to contact our team.

Start the process and complete our data capture form

If you already registered your Overseas Entity and need to file an annual update statement please go to our dedicated page and complete our contact form there.    Click on the button below to access. 

Who needs to register at Companies House Register of Overseas Entities?

Overseas entities that own land in the UK must register on the register at Companies House (ROE). 

What is an 'overseas entity'

An 'overseas entity' is 

1. An entity governed by law of a country or territory outside the UK.
2. And that entity owns 'qualifying estate' in the United Kingdom. (Which is UK property purchased after 1 January 1999).

Or wishes to purchase qualifying estate.
Or wishes to make dispositions (including granting a lease) of qualifying estate.
'Qualifying estate' means freehold land or leasehold land with a term in excess of 7 years in the United Kingdom.

What must you report to the UK Register of Overseas Entities

• Firstly, the name and contact details of a person from the entity. And confirm that Companies House may contact them about the application.
• One of these three statements:

1. The overseas entity has identified one or more registrable beneficial owners. It has no reasonable cause to believe there are others. And the overseas entity is able to provide the required information about each registrable beneficial owner it has identified. Along with supplying these details.
2. The overseas has no reasonable cause to believe that it has any beneficial owners. (This would be the case for example if there were no shareholdings of 25% or more). It stills needs to supply details of the entity and it's managing officers.
3. The overseas entity has reasonable cause to believe that there is at least one beneficial owner. And that it hasn't identified or is unable to provide the required information about one or more beneficial owner that it has identified.

Details of the entity's managing officers along with as much information as possible about the any beneficial owner will need to be submitted.

Details of the overseas entity

• Name
• Country of incorporation
• Details of the Registered/Principal Office
• Details of a Service Address
• Email address
• Confirmation of the legal form of the entity
• The law that governs the entity
• Details of any public register where the entity is entered. And company/entity number

Details of the beneficial owners

Individuals

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Usual residential address
• Service address
• Date on which they became a beneficial owner

Legal entities (except governments or public authorities)

• Name of entity
• Details of the Registered/Principal Office
• Details of a Service Address
• Confirmation of the legal form of the entity
• The law The law that governs the entity
• Details of any public register that lists the entity. And company/entity number
• Date on which it became a beneficial owner

Trustees

• Name of trust
• Date the trust was established
• Details of the current and historic trustees
• Details of any person with the power to appoint and remove a trustee or exercise rights over trustees powers
• Details of a Service Address
• Date on which it became a beneficial owner

No beneficial owner

• You must provide details of the entity's managing officers.

Verification And Compliance

Verification is a critical component of the Register of Overseas Entities.

A UK AML Regulated Agent must conduct verification checks on all beneficial owners and managing officers of an overseas entity before it can register.

This process involves obtaining independent evidence to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.

Relevant persons must be confident that they have seen documents and/or information from reliable, independent sources to verify each piece of relevant information.

Failure to comply with the verification requirements can result in criminal prosecution and sanctions from regulators.

Ensuring thorough verification not only complies with legal requirements but also upholds the integrity of the register.

Are there register of overseas entities deadlines?

The Transitional Period ended on 31 January 2023. An overseas entity that owned a qualifying estate but sold it by 28 February 2023 still had to register by the end of January 2023.

Overseas entities wishing to purchase property, land or a lease of 7 years or more in the UK must register.

What happens when the overseas entity is registered?

The ROE will register the entity and assign an overseas entity ID.
Anyone will be able to search register of overseas entities.

Failure to comply - What are the consequences?

Criminal sanctions

The overseas entity, it's managing officer and beneficial owners face criminal and civil penalties. These include fines of up to £500 per day and even imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.

Non-compliance will lead to restrictions being imposed on the title of the property or land in the UK.

So effectively a bar will be placed on the title preventing anyone from buy/sell transfer or lease the property.