If you form a UK limited company, you will be asked for a registered office address almost straight away. It sounds like a formality, but it matters more than it seems. Here is what it is and how to choose one.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
What is a registered office?
A registered office is the official address of your company. It must be in the part of the UK where the company is registered, meaning England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. It has three main jobs:
- Official post: Companies House, HMRC and other authorities send formal letters and notices to it.
- Legal service: legal documents can be delivered there.
- Public record: it appears on the public register at Companies House and on your company's official documents.
It must be a real, physical address where documents can be delivered, so a PO box is not accepted.
Can I use my home address?
You can, but many founders prefer not to. Your registered office is public, so using your home address means anyone can look it up. It also means official post arrives at your home, which is awkward if you travel, move or work from overseas.
What about a director's service address?
Directors must also give a service address where they can receive official documents. This is different from a director's residential address:
- The service address appears on the public register.
- The residential address is held by Companies House but is not shown on the public register.
Many founders use the same professional address for both the registered office and the director's service address, which keeps home addresses off public records.
Living outside the UK
You can own and run a UK company from anywhere, but the registered office must be in the UK. That is where a UK address provider helps: they receive your official post and let you know when something important arrives.
What to look for in a provider
- Mail handling: how is post scanned, forwarded or held, and how quickly do you hear about it?
- Reliability: official letters have deadlines, so they must never be missed.
- Clarity on use: check whether the address can be used for official correspondence only, or also as a trading address.
- Number of companies: some addresses can be used for only one company.
- Renewal: know what happens when the term ends.
Changing it later
You can change your registered office at any time by notifying Companies House. Do it promptly, and let your bank, HMRC and key contacts know too.
Looking for a UK address? Get a quote and we will help you choose the right option.