Does my Limited Business need a registered office address?

What is a registered address?

A limited company or limited liability partnership must have a registered office with an official address.

You must choose an address for your business that can be accessed in person and located in the same part of the UK where your business was originally registered. This also ensures that HMRC are aware of where you’re based, and you will receive any important letters and notices. Your registered office address is permitted to be both a residential and non-residential address. However, it’s encouraged to keep your home details private, hence many prefer the latter option.

It’s also a great idea to store your company’s statutory registers and records there for public inspection, unless you are using a SAIL address. Alternatively, you may choose to send the information usually kept in statutory registers to Companies House instead.

Why does a Limited Company and Limited Liability Partnership need a registered office address? What are the benefits?

You can’t run a private limited company or limited liability partnership in the UK without having a registered office address, since your details will be placed on to public records.

There are some other benefits too:

• More privacy (if using an office address, rather than a home address, more on this later) – it means that no clients turning up to your home address

• Portrays your company as successful and organised

• Your post can be sent there

Can I use my home as a registered office?

The short answer is yes, however, it’s not recommended. There are much more benefits to having a separate registered office address, as it looks more professional and helps to keep your home address private.

What is the difference between a registered office address and a director’s service address?

A registered office address is your limited company’s official address, meaning that all your legal documents are delivered there. It must be registered in same location as company incorporation (England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland).

A director’s service address is the authorised contact address of a company director, LLP member, company secretary, subscriber or person of significant control (PSC), where they will receive personal statutory mail directly from both HMRC and Companies House. A service address can be located anywhere in the world.

UK law dictates that both the registered office address and a director’s service address are required. Both will be displayed on the central public register. If desired, you’re allowed to use the same postal address as your registered office and service address.

What is the difference between a registered office address and a business address?

A business address acts as a contact point for your clients, whereas a registered office address allows government agencies to find you easily. You can use the same registered office address as your business address should you wish, but it must meet the same required criteria.

What about PO boxes and Council Houses?

You cannot use a PO Box Number as your registered office address, but you can use a PO Box address if you provide Companies House with the complete, physical postal address.

In terms of council houses, yes, if the full postal address is provided, a residential or non-residential address is accepted as a registered office by Companies House. However, it must be in the same UK jurisdiction of the company’s is incorporation.

If you rent from the council or a private landlord, you will need their permission prior to assigning it the status of a registered office.

Can I change my registered office address?

Yes, but you must keep the address within the same UK jurisdiction and must update Companies House of the change immediately.

You can change your registered office address either through Companies House online service or a credible company formation agent can alleviate the stress by handling the entire process.

If Companies House agree that the new address is suitable, they will provide authorisation and will subsequently appear updated on the public register within 24 hours.

Can I change my company’s registered office address to a different region?

There are three Companies House jurisdictions in the UK, these are: England and Wales (offices in London and Cardiff), Scotland (office in Edinburgh), and Northern Ireland (office in Belfast).

So, if you do decide to relocate your company, its registered address needs to be within the same jurisdiction in which it was originally incorporated. You cannot swap between jurisdictions. If you do wish to move your company address from one region to another, you must re-incorporate your company with the Companies House in the new location.

What if I don’t have an office and don’t want to use my home address?

If you need to set up your business’s registered address but do not want to use your home address, we can help.

We offer a comprehensive company secretarial service that will equip you with the knowledge and skillset to ensure you’re meeting your obligations as a limited company.

Our service offering can be tailored to suit the requirements of every business need. We give you the confidence and peace of mind that comes from knowing that your full compliance requirements are efficiently and continuously managed. Find out more and contact us here.