Direct answer
Terminology such as registered office, shareholder, director, promoter, PSC, company secretary and registered agent can have different legal meanings by country.
Which authority applies
Each jurisdiction has its own registry, licensing and tax authorities. Identify the authority that controls your exact entity, activity and location, and use its current guidance as the controlling source.
Practical checklist
- Use the local authority definition.
- Do not assume terms are interchangeable.
- Check entity-specific context.
- Link each term to the relevant source.
Frequently asked questions
Which authority controls this topic?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Use the official source directory on this page to find the registry or government authority for your jurisdiction, and use its current guidance before acting.
How we write our guidesWe summarise official guidance and link to it. We do not publish fees, timelines or approval promises unless the authority does. Read our methodology.