Last Updated on January 1, 2026 by Joy Kyalo
A registered office address is a legal requirement when incorporating a company in the UK. Under section 86 of the Companies Act 2006, a registered office address is the official address of a company (limited company or limited liability partnership).
Following the recent changes to the registered office address under the 2023 Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, a registered address must not be a P.O. Box and must be ‘appropriate’.
The address must be made publicly available at the Companies House register to enhance transparency and accountability. This article will highlight everything entrepreneurs must know about a registered office address.
Key Takeaways
- A registered office address is legally required for all UK companies under the Companies Act.
- The address must be “appropriate,” publicly visible, and able to receive official mail.
- Using a home address is allowed but risks privacy, credibility, and missed communications.
- A professional registered office address boosts trust, protects privacy, and ensures secure mail handling.
Everything you need to know about a registered office address
A registered office address is used by limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) when registering with Companies House. It is a legal requirement, and it will be required by Companies House and HMRC.
This address will be used by the government and government agencies to send official correspondence and legal notices to the company. The company must also be able to acknowledge all communications and notices sent to the address.
The address is made available to the public register to ensure that there is accountability and increased transparency within the corporate sector. The rules and requirements of using a registered office address include;
- Must be in the same jurisdiction as the company registration (if the company is registered in England, the address should be in England)
- Must be able to receive mail and official notices
- Should be accessible during normal business hours
- Cannot be a P.O. Box
Who needs a registered office address?
All incorporated companies in the UK must have a registered address. They include;
- Private limited companies (Ltd)
- Public limited company (PLC)
- Limited liability partnership (LLPs)
Why do you need a registered office address?
Every limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP) in the UK must, by law, have a registered address. This requirement serves several important purposes:
Legal communication:
Government authorities require a fixed and reliable location to send important notices, tax reminders, and correspondence related to compliance.
Transparency and accountability:
By publishing your address, Companies House provides transparency – ensuring that businesses are traceable and accountable to the public and regulatory bodies.
Proof of existence:
Your registered office establishes your business as a real and verifiable entity within the UK. This can enhance trust with clients, investors, and partners.
Compliance requirement:
Without a valid registered address, Companies House will not approve your company incorporation in the UK. Moreover, if your existing registered address becomes invalid or inaccessible, your business could face penalties or even dissolution.
Can I use my home address as a registered office address?
There are no rules against using your residential address as a registered office address as long as it meets the legal regulations. Though there are no restrictions on using a home address, it is ideally not recommended to use your home address as a registered office address since;
- It is publicly available on the public register, which could result in unsolicited visitors and junk mail, leading to missing important notifications.
- Not many customers trust companies that use their residential address as a registered address
- It does not draw a clear line between work and home life.
- May not appeal to a larger customer base since the location is more residential than a professional location.
Instead of a residential address, a business owner can use a UK virtual office address to register their company. The addresses are located in prestigious locations, enhancing the professional image of the company and maintaining your home privacy.
Why is a registered office address public?
To enhance transparency and accountability, Companies House makes the address public. This makes it easier for suppliers, customers, partners, and other businesses to access your address and know where the company is located.
Additionally, it also serves as the official address for all statutory letters and legal notices from government bodies like Companies House and the HMRC.
The address also facilitates public interaction, allowing other entities to correspond with the company officially, since a company is a legal person and needs a physical address for correspondence, unlike a P.O. box or a website.
What are the benefits of using a professional registered office address?
Using a professional address comes with more benefits than using your home address as a registered office address. The benefits include;
Protects your home’s privacy:
Using a professional registered address protects your residence since they are made available on the public register. So, instead of your residential address being placed on the public register, the professional one will be publicly available.
Enhance credibility:
A professional registered address is located in prestigious locations, which will enhance your business’s credibility and professionalism, even when the company is being operated from the comfort of your home.
Ensure secure and reliable handling of official mail:
With a professional registered office address, business owners do not have to worry about junk mail since it comes with professional mail handling services. The service providers will receive your company mail at the address and sort it on your behalf. They can scan and send it to your email or forward it to your designated address.
To summarise, a registered office address is a legal requirement for every registered company in the UK. It ensures the company’s communications are handled professionally and that the company is legally registered. It will be made publicly available to ensure suppliers, customers, and business partners can easily find your company.
To get a registered address, BusinAssist has a professional registered address that can legally be used to incorporate a company. The company will receive additional services, such as mail handling and communication services.
Contact us at info@businassist.com to get a registered office address.
FAQs
Q: Do all companies need a registered office address?
Ans: All companies registered in the UK must have a registered office address. The address must meet all the Companies Act 2006 regulations.
Q: Can I use my home address as a registered office address?
Ans: Yes, you can use your home address as a registered office address. There is no rule stopping you from using your home address as a registered office address. However, it is important to know that the address will be made available in the public register.
Q: Can a virtual office be used as a registered office address?
Ans: Yes, a virtual office address can be used as a registered office address as long as it meets the Companies Act 2006 regulations.
Q: Where is my registered office address displayed publicly?
Ans: To maintain transparency and accountability, Companies House ensures the registered office address is displayed publicly. This ensures the public can access the company’s address anytime they want.
Q: Can I change my registered office address after company formation?
Ans: Yes, you can change your registered office address after company formation, but you must inform Companies House within 14 days of the change. However, the address you change to must be in the same jurisdiction as where the company is registered.
Q: Can foreign entrepreneurs use a UK-registered office address for company registration?
Ans: Every company registered in the UK, whether by UK or non-UK residents, must have a registered office address. The registered office address must be a physical location in the UK and not a P.O. Box. The address must also be in the same jurisdiction as where the company is registered.
Read Also:
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- Registered Office Address in London, UK: A Guide for Your Business Needs
- Can a Virtual Office Address Be Used as a Registered Office Address?
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Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.