Do I need a registered office address for my small business?

If you’re setting up a limited company, you’ll probably have a long to-do list. But one thing you can’t forget is securing a registered office address, as you’ll need this to register with Companies House.

There are a few different types of business addresses you can register with, as well as considerations to be aware of. So read this guide for an overview of everything you need to know about getting a registered office address for your small business.

Skip to:

• What is a registered office address?
• Registered office address service
• Virtual office address
• How to change your registered office address
• What address should I use to register my company?

What is a registered office address?

A registered office address is the official business address of your limited company. This address is where all your official correspondence will go – including legal documents and tax reminders.

Your business address will need to be:

• a physical address (and not a PO Box)
• in the same country your business is registered in (for example, your registered address can’t be in Scotland if your business is registered in England)

Additionally, you need to be able to receive and have access to post at this address. The sender will also need to be able to get confirmation of any mail delivery.

One thing to note is that your registered business address will be publically available on the Companies House register. If your business address is also your home address, you may not want to use this as your registered office address.

One option is to use the address of your accountant or solicitor (as long as you have their permission). But there are other options you can look into, which we’ll cover in more detail in this guide.

Read our guide to learn more about everything that goes into registering with Companies House.

As well as using the address to register with Companies House, this address can also be used on letters and invoices.

Registered office address service

If you don’t have a separate business premise and don’t want to use your home address (or that of an accountant or solicitor), you can use a registered office address service. These providers allow businesses to pay for a physical address to receive any official correspondence.

These services generally offer mail forwarding services, which can be great if you don’t live near your chosen registered office address provider. But if you do live nearby, many providers let you stop by to collect or scan mail.

Benefits of using a registered office address service

• keeps your personal address private
• can seem more professional than a home address
• takes care of mail forwarding and other administrative tasks

Prices for registered office address providers start at around £20 a year. It’s a good idea to shop around and find a provider that meets your needs. For example, if you prioritise having a London office address or if you need a service that offers addresses for company directors too.

Virtual office address

Another option is to sign up for a virtual registered office that includes a business address. Virtual offices come with virtual receptionist services or your own business phone line – and many of them come with the use of a registered business address too.

Not all virtual offices come with the option to use their address as your registered company address, and most charge an additional fee to do so, so make sure you check this when you sign up.

Benefits of using a virtual office address

• a virtual receptionist to screen your calls, letting you concentrate on work
• a professional address to use on marketing materials and invoices
• virtual landline services so you can receive business calls without giving out your personal number
• handles basic administrative tasks
• keeps your personal address private

Virtually There is a popular virtual office provider with addresses across many UK cities. Their website is a good place to start learning about the difference between virtual offices and registered office address services.

How to change your registered office address

No matter if you’re using your own address or one of the providers listed above, sometimes you may still need to change your registered office address with Companies House.

To change your address, visit the government website, find your company, and enter your new address. You’ll need your email address and the authentication code you use to file information with Companies House.

It’s free to change your registered office address and you can do so at any time.

What address should I use to register my company?

When it comes to deciding which business address to register with Companies House, consider the following:

• do you have your own business premise?
• if you don’t, do you want your home address publicly available on the Companies House register?

If the answer to both questions is no, you should consider using one of the services mentioned in this guide. To decide which service you want to use, ask yourself:

• do you need additional administrative services, such as a receptionist or call forwarding?

If the answer is yes, you may prefer to use a virtual office service. If the answer is no, you may find a registered office address service works best for your business.

Have you used a registered office address service before? Let us know how it’s helped you in the comments below.

More guides on starting a limited company

• How to register a business name – and how to protect it
• Memorandum of association and articles of association template
• Which bank has the best business bank account?
• How much does business insurance cost?

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