Small Business Guides / UK small business compliance

Companies House Registered Office Rules: UK Guide

A registered office is the official address of a limited company. Choose it before incorporation, because the address will normally appear on the public register.

What makes an address suitable?

The address must be physical, in the correct UK jurisdiction and appropriate for receiving company post. Someone acting for the company must become aware of delivered mail, and the sender must be able to obtain delivery confirmation. A PO Box alone does not meet the rules.

Home address or address service?

Using your home can be practical, but consider the public record before submitting it. An accountant’s or address-service provider’s premises can be used only where the service meets the rules. A prestigious postcode is less useful than reliable handling of an important letter.

Get written answers about permitted use, mail forwarding, scanning, collection, renewal costs and what happens when the service ends. A general correspondence address is not automatically suitable as a registered office.

Keep three addresses separate in your thinking

• Registered office: the company’s official correspondence address.
• Director’s service address: where a director can receive official correspondence.
• Residential address: information supplied about where a director lives; different disclosure rules apply.

Before you file

1. Confirm the company’s jurisdiction and whether the proposed address is accepted.
2. Confirm permission to use it and a reliable mail process.
3. Check how quickly urgent correspondence reaches you.
4. Record the renewal date and an alternative contact.
5. Follow Companies House instructions when changing the address.

Read the wider business address guide and company registration guide before committing to an address.

Explore Polar’s business tools or the connected business software for the next practical step.