Choosing a Registered Office Address in the UK

Editor’s note: Originally published on 5 January 2023; this article reflects information available at that time, and rules may since have changed.

A UK company must maintain an appropriate registered office address in the part of the UK where it is incorporated. International founders do not necessarily need to rent a physical office, but official mail must be received and handled reliably.

Registered office address

This is the company’s official public address for Companies House, HMRC and legal notices. It must meet current statutory requirements and should be monitored so that deadlines are not missed.

Business or correspondence address

A company may use a separate trading or correspondence address. Make sure customers and suppliers understand which address is for commercial mail and which is the statutory registered office.

Director’s service address

A director can use a service address for public correspondence. In many cases it can be the same as the company’s registered office.

Director’s residential address

Companies House also collects a director’s usual residential address. It does not need to be in the UK and is generally protected from the public register, subject to legal exceptions.

Using a professional address service

Check exactly which mail is accepted, how quickly scans are sent, whether parcels can be forwarded and what happens when the service ends. The company remains responsible for responding to official correspondence.

Leon Advisers offers registered-office and accounting support as part of selected service plans. Contact info@leonadvisers.com.