Last updated: 14 October 2026
What is a registered office address?
A registered office is the official address of a UK limited company or LLP, recorded at Companies House and shown on the public register. It’s where official letters from Companies House, HMRC and the courts are sent, and where the company’s statutory registers can be kept for inspection. Since 4 March 2024, it must be an “appropriate address”: somewhere that documents delivered there will come to the company’s attention and that can record delivery by hand with an acknowledgement. A PO Box on its own is no longer allowed.
What addresses can be used
| Address type | Allowed as registered office? |
| Your business premises | Yes |
| Your home address | Yes, but it becomes public |
| Your accountant’s or solicitor’s office | Yes, with their agreement |
| A registered office service provider | Yes, if it accepts documents and acknowledges delivery |
| A PO Box alone | No, since March 2024 |
| An address in another UK jurisdiction | No, must be in the country of registration (e.g. England and Wales) |
Using your home address
You can use your home, but it will appear on the public register and is hard to remove later. Many directors use their accountant’s address instead. If your home address has already been published, you may apply to suppress it in limited circumstances.
Service address versus registered office
Directors and people with significant control must give a service address, which is also public, and their residential address, which is kept private. The registered office is the company’s address; the service address is the individual’s.
Example
Lucy forms a limited company to run her online shop from home. She doesn’t want her address public, so she uses her accountant’s office as the registered office and her accountant’s address as her service address. Her home address is held privately by Companies House. Official post is forwarded to her by her accountant.
Changing your registered office
You can change it online through Companies House. The change takes effect when registered, but documents can still be served at the old address for 14 days.
Registered email address
Since March 2024, companies must also provide a registered email address to Companies House. It isn’t made public.
Penalties
If Companies House finds the registered office isn’t appropriate, it can change it to a default Companies House address, and the company may be struck off if it doesn’t fix it.
Common mistakes
- Using a PO Box
- Using a virtual office that doesn’t acknowledge deliveries
- Publishing your home address without realising
- Forgetting to update after moving
Choosing a provider
If you use a registered office service, check that it will sign for post, scan or forward letters promptly, and keep proof of delivery. Missing a letter from Companies House or HMRC can lead to penalties or the company being struck off, so the service needs to be reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Does the registered office need to be where I trade?
No.
Can two companies share an address?
Yes.
Can I use a Scottish address for an English company?
No.
Does HMRC use it?
Yes, for official correspondence.
Related: whether a PO Box can be used, what a service address is and what a confirmation statement is.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with company formation and registered office. See our limited company accountants service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 14 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
