Beneficial Ownership Guidance
Please note: These guidance notes are not intended to be definitive legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The interpretation of legislation is a matter on which the Guernsey Registry cannot advise and entities/individuals need to form their own independent view on compliance with the legislation. Independent legal advice is advised where there is any uncertainty.
The guidance notes on this page give information on the definition of beneficial ownership and how to file beneficial ownership submissions.
Filing beneficial ownership information
The Beneficial Ownership of Legal Persons (Guernsey) Law, 2017 came into force on 15 August 2017.
Since that date, all Guernsey companies have been required to file beneficial ownership information. New companies must file beneficial ownership information on incorporation. All companies must ensure that any changes to the beneficial ownership information is submitted to the Registry within 14 days.
Beneficial owners must be registered with the Guernsey Registry before they can be appointed on the system. To register a person, a person registration form (available below) should be submitted to the Registry. CSPs should use the Register Entity Officials submission on the Online Services Portal.
Resident agent exempt entities are not required to file a beneficial ownership declaration.
| Guidance Note | Description |
|---|---|
 Beneficial Ownership - Guidance for Guernsey Companies [3Mb] | Guidance primarily aimed at companies with simple ownership structures, for example local trading companies or property holding companies, including how to file online. |
| Beneficial ownership submissions - Using the 'Add/Remove BO Entity Details' form [2Mb] | Guidance on how to file a submission to add/remove beneficial owners on an entity using the Online Services Portal at www.greg.gg. |
| Person Registration Form [146kb] | Individual person registration PDF form. This form should be returned to the Registry by email or by post with a copy of a current utility bill, dated within the last 3 months, and a certified copy of your passport. Please note that CSPs should register persons using the online Register Entity Officials form at www.greg.gg. |
| Filing beneficial ownership information for paper applications [401kb] | Guidance on filing beneficial ownership information for paper applications (e.g. migration in, restoration, LLP incorporation, foundation registration). |
 Beneficial ownership manual data capture form [104kb] | Form to be used to submit beneficial ownership information for paper applications (BO Manual Data Capture Form v4.xlsx). |
Beneficial ownership definition and further information
The definition of beneficial ownership for the purposes of registration are set out in The Beneficial Ownership (Definition) Regulations, 2017.
The below guidance notes give detailed information on the definition of beneficial ownership, including complex ownership structures and examples.
| Guidance Note | Description |
|---|---|
| Guidance on the meaning of beneficial owner [361kb] | Detailed guidance on the meaning of beneficial owner, including example structures. |
| Guidance on nominee relationships [168kb] | Detailed guidance on nominee relationships, including filing requirements. |
| 'Add Beneficial Owner' submissions - guidance on completing the form [319kb] | Guidance on how to complete the 'Add Beneficial Owners' section of the online form - including information on how to complete the following fields: 1. Beneficial ownership category (for individual beneficial owners) 2. Capacity in which shares or rights held (for individual beneficial owners) 3. Percentage of shares or voting rights held (for individual beneficial owners) 4. Type of corporate beneficial owner (for corporate beneficial owners) 5. Percentage of shares or voting rights held (for corporate beneficial owners) |
| Template Record of Beneficial Owners [110kb] | Template record of beneficial owners, to be kept at the registered office. |
Relevant links & information
The Beneficial Ownership of Legal Persons (Guernsey) Law, 2017
The Beneficial Ownership (Definition) Regulations, 2017
