Last updated: 14 October 2026
Can you use a PO Box as your company’s registered office address?
No. Since 4 March 2024, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, every company must have an “appropriate address” as its registered office. That means post sent there should come to the attention of someone acting for the company, and that delivery can be acknowledged. A PO Box doesn’t meet that test, and Companies House can reject or remove it.
What counts as an appropriate address
| Allowed | Not allowed |
| Your business premises | A PO Box |
| Your home address | An address with no way to acknowledge delivery |
| Your accountant’s or solicitor’s office | An address that only forwards post without anyone acting on it |
| A registered office service with staff to acknowledge post | A “virtual” address with no one there |
The registered office must be in the same part of the UK as the company was registered, such as England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Using a service address
Directors can use a different service address, which appears on the public register. This doesn’t need to be in the UK.
Penalties
- Companies House can change the registered office to its own default address if it’s not appropriate
- Filing a false statement is an offence
- Not having an appropriate address is an offence for the company and its officers
Example
Lina runs a consultancy from home and doesn’t want her home address on the public register. She pays her accountant to act as her registered office. The accountant’s office acknowledges post and forwards it to her. Her home address doesn’t appear on the public record. Her service address can also be the accountant’s office.
Other new rules
- Every company needs a registered email address
- Directors and people with significant control must verify their identity
- Companies must confirm they’re forming for a lawful purpose
Keeping home addresses private
If your home address was on the register in the past, you can apply to Companies House to have it removed from older documents, for a fee. This is useful if your home was used as your registered office in earlier years.
Changing your registered office
You change it through Companies House WebFiling. The change takes effect when it’s registered, but documents can still be delivered to the old address for 14 days.
Common mistakes
- Keeping an old PO Box as the registered office after March 2024
- Using a mail-forwarding service that does not accept or acknowledge post
- Moving the registered office to an address in a different part of the UK, which is not allowed
- Forgetting to update the address after leaving a serviced office
Companies House and HMRC send important letters, including penalty notices and strike-off warnings, to the registered office. If you miss them, the company could be struck off without you knowing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a virtual office?
Only if someone there acknowledges post.
Can I use my home address?
Yes, but it will appear on the public register.
Can my accountant be my registered office?
Yes, many accountants offer this.
Does my trading address have to match?
No, it can be different.
Related: whether you’re employed or self-employed with a company, directors’ liability for a dissolved company and merging directors’ accounts.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with company formation. See our small business 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.
