Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team
When starting a business in the UK, there are legal requirements when it comes to addresses, they should use. While incorporating a UK limited company or a limited liability partnership (LLP), Companies House requires a registered office address. The UK registered office address can be either a residential address, virtual office address, or any other appropriate address that a company can use.
Business owners will also come across correspondence addresses which are also important for them to understand. In this digital era, businesses need to have a correspondence address for security and privacy reasons.
Understanding a correspondence address is vital for businesses. This guide will highlight the purpose of a correspondence address, how it benefits businesses, and its difference from a registered office address.
What is a correspondence address?
A correspondence address is a physical address that is used to receive business correspondence such as letters from government agencies, banks, other businesses, etc. It can be used for official communication, legal notices, and even applying for permits and licenses.
This address can be different from the registered office address or even a personal residential address. Correspondence address can also be used during UK company incorporation since it is similar to a registered office.
The only difference between the correspondence address and the registered office address is that the correspondence address can be used anywhere, whereas, the registered office address must be based in the UK.
Correspondence address vs. a Registered address
A correspondence address can be a registered office address; however, the two addresses have slight differences. A correspondence address does not need to be a physical location like a registered office address.
During company incorporation, a company has to provide its registered office address while directors, secretaries, and shareholders need to provide their correspondence addresses to Companies House.
A registered office address must be a physical location within the UK where the company has been registered even if the company is not physically located within the UK. Just like a correspondence address, a registered office address is also where official documents, such as statutory mail, notices, and legal correspondence, are sent.
The other difference between the two addresses is that a correspondence address can use a P.O. Box as long as you provide the full address of the physical building and postcode, whereas, a registered office address has to be an “appropriate address” excluding P.O. Boxes.
Both addresses are made available on the public register. If you want to operate at home, you can rent a UK virtual office address to use as a correspondence address.
What is the purpose of a correspondence address?
A correspondence address can be used by an individual or business to receive mail and other communication separate from a residential address. The purpose of a correspondence address is;
Privacy:
A correspondence address offers privacy to residential homes since the address is made available at the public register. Entrepreneurs that wish to keep their residential address private while receiving mail and official and legal notices, can have a correspondence address that is different from their residential address. This will help in the reduction of unsolicited visitors and junk mail. It will also help you separate your personal and business mails.
Legal compliance:
A correspondence address ensures your business receives legal and official correspondence. This helps businesses comply with legal compliance. Under the Companies Acts 2006, businesses ought to have an address where they can receive correspondence and acknowledge them. The correspondence address is used to receive tax-related correspondence from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and statutory notices from Companies House.
Professionalism:
A designated correspondence address enhances the professional image of your company. A dedicated business address gives a perception that your business is stable and handles everything professionally. This also enhances the credibility of your business giving customers, suppliers, and partners confidence to deal with your business. This creates a positive brand image.
Flexibility:
A correspondence address is not tied to a physical location giving businesses the flexibility to operate remotely while receiving their mail and official correspondence. It is also not tied to long-term commitment meaning businesses can end the contract, unlike physical offices.
How to change the correspondence address?
You can either change the address using paper forms or using Companies House webfilling service. There are 2 separate forms for directors and shareholders. Form CH01 can be used to change director’s correspondence address while form PSC04 needs to be sent to Companies House for changing PSC’s correspondence address. Paper forms take more time to be processed and hence it is better to use Companies House webfilling service for making changes quickly.
To change the correspondence address online, you can go to Companies House website and;
- Log in to the Companies House register.
- Go to the ‘WebFiling’ section.
- Click on the Change your company’s address option.
- Fill in the new address details.
You will receive a confirmation email after submitting the changes.
Factors to consider when choosing a correspondence address?
Location: Choose an address that aligns with your business needs and is accessible to you or a company representative. Also, look for a correspondence address that is located in a prestigious location to enhance the professional image and credibility of your business.
Accessibility: Proximity is an important aspect when it comes to receiving official correspondence. This will ensure that your business will receive its mail accurately and on time to comply with legal requirements.
Privacy: Look for an address that will maintain the privacy of your home address. For businesses operating remotely or in the comfort of their home, a correspondence address will secure their home address from unsolicited visitors and junk mail.
Professional image: An address located in a prestigious location enhances the professional image of a company. This enhances the credibility of a company since it builds the trust and confidence of customers and investors.
Additional services: Consider renting a correspondence address that has additional services like mail handling. The mail-handling services will ensure businesses receive important communications and parcels effectively.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a correspondence address offers you privacy by keeping your residential address private and inaccessible to strangers. It also offers businesses the flexibility to operate from anywhere in the world while receiving their mail and parcels. London Virtual office addresses can be used as correspondence addresses where businesses can benefit from additional services offered.
BusinAssist offers UK virtual office services that come with additional services that will benefit your business. Our virtual office services come with a professional business address and additional services such as mail handling, UK virtual mobile service, and UK company formation. The services help with administrative tasks of the company as the business owner focuses on the company’s growth.
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
FAQs
Q: Can the correspondence address and residential address be the same?
Ans: Yes, the correspondence address and residential address can be the same. However, for privacy reasons, it is not recommended.
Q: How to change the correspondence address on Companies House?
Ans: You can either change the address using paper forms or using Companies House webfilling service. There are 2 separate forms for directors and shareholders. Form CH01 can be used to change director’s correspondence address while form PSC04 needs to be sent to Companies House for changing PSC’s correspondence address. Paper forms take more time to be processed and hence it is better to use Companies House web filling service for making changes quickly.
Q: Is the correspondence address permanent or temporary?
Ans: A correspondence address can either be permanent or temporary depending on your business needs.
Q: How to write a correspondence address?
Ans: Property number, country and postcode are the important key details of an address, after entering these remaining details ( i.e. street, city & county ) need to be entered in the form (paper or digital ).
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The BusinAssist Editorial Team has 15+ years of experience writing about small business and company formation in the UK, Canada, and the USA. We simplify complex processes and provide practical insights to help entrepreneurs succeed.