What is Registered Office?
Your registered office is the official address of your company, filed with Companies House. All official correspondence goes here.
Example
Your registered office might be your accountant's address, a virtual office, or your home (visible on public record).
Key Dates
Must notify Companies House within 14 days of any change
How Registered Office Works in Practice
Every UK limited company must have a registered office address. This is the official address of your company that appears on the public Companies House register, and it is where HMRC, Companies House, courts, and other official bodies will send correspondence. It is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006, and your company cannot exist without one.
The registered office must be a physical address in the same jurisdiction where the company is registered -- England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. You cannot use a PO Box as your registered office. The address is publicly visible on the Companies House register, which means anyone can look it up. This is an important consideration if you use your home address, as it will be visible to the public.
Many directors use their accountant's address, a virtual office service, or a registered agent as their registered office to maintain privacy. This is perfectly legitimate. Virtual office services typically cost between £50 and £200 per year and will forward any mail received. Some formation agents include a registered office address in their package.
Your registered office does not need to be where you actually run the business. It is purely an administrative address for official correspondence. However, you must be able to receive and act on any documents delivered there, including legal notices, tax demands, and court papers. Failing to collect mail from your registered office is not a defence if HMRC sends important notices there.
Step by Step
When you incorporate a company, you must provide a registered office address as part of the formation process. This address is recorded at Companies House and becomes part of the public record immediately. If you need to change it later, you file form AD01 with Companies House, which must be done within 14 days of the change. The change takes effect when Companies House processes the filing.
All statutory correspondence is sent to this address. This includes reminders from Companies House about filing deadlines, tax notices from HMRC, and any legal documents served on the company. Companies House also publishes it in the official gazette if needed for legal proceedings.
Your registered office address must appear on all official company documents including business letters, order forms, invoices, the company website, and emails. This is a legal requirement that many small companies overlook.
Practical Tips
- If using your home address, check whether your mortgage lender or landlord permits commercial use -- some have restrictions
- Use a virtual office service if you want privacy -- they cost as little as £50 per year and keep your home address off public records
- Set up mail forwarding from your registered office to ensure you receive all official correspondence promptly
- Remember to display your registered office address on your website, invoices, and business emails as required by the Companies Act
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using your home address without realising it becomes publicly visible on the Companies House register
- Failing to collect or forward mail from the registered office, which can result in missed HMRC deadlines and penalties
- Not updating Companies House within 14 days when the registered office changes, which is a criminal offence
- Confusing the registered office with the trading address -- they can be different, and often are
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my home address as a registered office?
Yes, but it will be visible on the public Companies House register. Anyone can search for your company and see the address. If privacy is a concern, consider using a virtual office service or your accountant's address instead.
What is the difference between a registered office and a trading address?
The registered office is the legal address filed with Companies House for official correspondence. The trading address is where you actually conduct business. They can be the same or different. Only the registered office appears on the public register.
Can I use a PO Box as my registered office?
No. Companies House requires a physical address, not a PO Box number. The address must be capable of receiving postal deliveries. Virtual office services provide a physical address with mail forwarding, which is different from a PO Box.
What happens if I do not update my registered office address?
Failing to notify Companies House of a change within 14 days is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. In practice, the bigger risk is missing official correspondence sent to the old address, including HMRC demands and court papers.
Does my registered office need to be in the UK?
Yes. A company registered in England and Wales must have its registered office in England or Wales. Scottish companies must have a Scottish address, and Northern Irish companies must have a Northern Irish address. You cannot use an overseas address.
Source: Companies House guidance on registered office: https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company
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