Words, explained · 7 of 25

Beneficial owner

Also writtenbeneficial ownerscontrollercontrollerssignificant person

The real person who ultimately owns or controls a company, whoever holds its shares on paper.

What it is

Registries record them so a company’s real owners can be known. In Jersey, certified ID and proof of address are needed for each when a local company is incorporated, and a change is notified within 21 days, free.

What it is not

Not simply whoever’s name is on the share register: someone holding shares for another person is not the beneficial owner.

Place by place

  • Jersey

    Certified ID for each at incorporation; changes notified within 21 days.

  • Guernsey

    The resident agent keeps the details of the company’s beneficial owners.

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