In the United Kingdom, companies often use different addresses for official records, correspondence and day-to-day operations. This guide explains the purpose of each address type – registered office, service address, and business postal address. It shows how they appear in company records and filings, and helps you choose the right option for your company’s needs.
Types of Company Addresses
Every UK company uses several types of addresses for legal, official, and business purposes.
Registered Office Address – The official address of every limited company or LLP. All companies must have one, and it must be located in the United Kingdom. It is used by Companies House and HMRC for official correspondence and appears on the public record.
Service Address – The official correspondence address for company officers, including directors, secretaries, and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). Each officer must have one. It replaces their home address on the public record and does not have to be located in the United Kingdom.
Business Postal Address – A mailing address used for everyday correspondence with clients, banks, suppliers, and other contacts. It is intended for all non-official post, is optional, and does not appear on the public record.
The table below shows how these three address types differ in purpose and legal requirements:
| Registered Office Address | Service Address | Business Postal Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required for UK Companies / LLPs | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Shown on Public Record | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Must Be in the UK | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (if used for UK mail) |
| Shown on Website / Stationery | ✅ | ❌ | Optional |
When discussing company addresses, it is also useful to mention the trading address, which refers to the place where a company actually carries out its business activities. This might be a shop, office, warehouse, or even a private home if the person works from there. A trading address is often needed for VAT registration, and banks may request it when opening a business account.
Unlike the registered office or service address, a trading address does not have to appear on the public record and is not required to be made publicly available.
Please note that none of our address services may be used as a trading address, nor to suggest that your company has any actual office, business activity, or physical presence at our premises.
Learn More: Check the rules for company addresses on the government website.
Our Company Address Services Explained
Our address services cover all legal and practical needs for UK companies and their officers. The table below outlines what each service includes – Registered Office Address, Service Address, and Business Postal Address.
| Registered Office Service | Service Address | Business Postal Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides an official UK address for Companies House and HMRC correspondence. | Protects officers’ privacy by replacing their home address on the public record. | Handles everyday business post and correspondence with clients, banks, and suppliers. |
| Shown on Public Record | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Mail Handling | Official government post only | Officer-related government post only | All general and business post |
| Available to Non-UK Residents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Forwarding Options | By scan or mail | By scan or mail | By scan or mail |
| Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my home address as a Registered Office Address?
The law allows the use of a director’s or member’s home address as the Registered Office Address of the company or partnership as long as it is within the UK. A private residential address can therefore be used both as the legally registered office address of the company and as an address through which paper correspondence is received.
This means, however, that your home address will be shown on the public register at Companies House and will be freely and openly accessible to any third party. For this reason, using one’s residential address is not appropriate for business owners or managers who need greater privacy or confidentiality.
Therefore, it is common practice to use a separate address as the company’s registered address. This may be provided to a business by a third party, e.g. a company formation agency, to ensure that the business owners’ and/or managers’ home addresses are not publicly accessible.
Can I change my registered office address?
Yes, you can change the address of your registered office at any time after setting up a company. Still, it must always remain in the same region or jurisdiction where the company is registered, i.e. England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
To change a registered office, the company directors need to approve the change. Companies House Form AD01 (for companies) or Form LLAD01 (for LLPs) must then be completed and delivered to Companies House. You can submit your changes free of charge via our Online Customer Portal.
I am currently renting my home; can I use this address as my company’s registered office?
Yes, you can use this address for your company’s registered office. But, if you rent your home, you might need permission from your landlord, housing provider, or local authority first.
You should check your tenancy agreement to ensure that having a registered office at the property does not violate its terms and conditions.
How can I update my Registered Office without the WebFiling Authentication Code?
If you need to update your Registered Office address but do not have the WebFiling Authentication Code, you can request a new code from Companies House. This code is essential for updating company details online. Alternatively, you can submit the change of address using paper form AD01 for a limited company or form LLAD01 for an LLP, which can be sent by post to Companies House.
What is a virtual company address?
A virtual company address is an address that can be used for business purposes but is not a physical location. Virtual addresses can be used to register a company or manage correspondence. It can help give your business a more professional image and make it more convenient for customers and clients to reach you.
Uniwide Formations provides three types of virtual address services in London, described on this website in detail: Registered Office Address, Service Address for company officers, and Company Business Postal Address.
