Guide
Register with Ofcom for Online Safety Act compliance
How to register with Ofcom as a regulated online service and understand fee requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023. Covers scope, the registration portal, qualifying worldwide revenue thresholds, and annual fee obligations.
Regulated services must register with Ofcom and may be liable for annual fees based on qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR).
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1. Determine if your service is in scope
Your service is regulated if it is a user-to-user service or search service with a significant number of UK users, and is not exempt (e.g. internal business services, email). Check Ofcom's published threshold criteria.
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2. Identify your service category
Determine whether your service meets Category 1, 2A, or 2B thresholds based on user numbers, functionality, and reach. Your category determines your duties and fee band.
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3. Register via Ofcom's online portal
Complete registration through Ofcom's Online Safety registration portal during your notification window. You need your company details, service description, user numbers, and revenue figures.
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4. Calculate your fee liability
Services with qualifying worldwide revenue above the threshold are liable for annual fees. Services with UK revenue under the exemption threshold may be exempt. Check current thresholds in the fee structure above.
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5. Submit annual fee returns
If liable, submit your annual revenue return to Ofcom by the specified deadline. Fees are calculated as a proportion of Ofcom's online safety costs, allocated by QWR band.
Failure to register does not exempt you from Online Safety Act duties. Ofcom can take enforcement action against unregistered services.