Service address vs registered office address: the difference

When you form a UK limited company, Companies House asks for several addresses. Two of them are often confused: the registered office address and the service address. Both appear on the public register, but they do different jobs and follow different rules.

The registered office address

The registered office is the company's official address. Companies House, HMRC, courts and other bodies send formal letters here. It appears on the public register and must also be shown on your website, invoices and letters.

Since 4 March 2024, the registered office must be an "appropriate address". This means:

• documents sent there should come to the attention of someone acting for the company
• the delivery of documents can be recorded by someone signing for them
• it cannot be a PO box

It must also be in the same UK nation where the company is registered. A company registered in Scotland needs a registered office in Scotland. A company registered in England and Wales needs one in England or Wales. A Northern Ireland company needs one in Northern Ireland.

If Companies House finds that a registered office is not appropriate, it can change it to a default address. The company then has 28 days to give a proper address, or it may be struck off.

The service address

A service address belongs to a person, not the company. Every director and every person with significant control (PSC) gives one. It is where letters to that person in their role at the company are sent, and it is shown on the public register.

The rules are lighter:

• it can be anywhere in the world
• it must be a place where documents can be delivered and acknowledged
• it does not have to be in the same UK nation as the company

Each person also gives a usual residential address. This is kept private if it is different from the service address.

Side-by-side comparison

• Who it belongs to: registered office – the company; service address – each director or PSC.
• Where it can be: registered office – same UK nation as the company; service address – anywhere.
• Public? Both are on the public register.
• PO box allowed? Neither should be a PO box.
• Who changes it: the company files the change for both, using the company authentication code.

Can I use one address for both?

Yes. Many small companies use the same address for the registered office and for each director's service address. This is often the simplest option, especially if you use a professional address service.

What you should avoid is using your home for both without thinking about it. Both would then be public, and your home address would stay in the company's filing history.

Choosing your addresses

Ask yourself:

1. Do I want my home address on a public register? If not, use a different address for both.
2. Will someone always be able to receive and sign for post at the registered office?
3. Do my co-directors live abroad? They can use an overseas service address, but the registered office must still be in the UK nation of the company.
4. Do I need a trading address for customers? This is a separate decision. You may want a London Virtual Office or Edinburgh Virtual Office.

How Form My Company can help

We provide a Registered Office Address in London or Edinburgh for £250 a year, and a Director Service Address for £250 a year. Both are included for the first year in our Privacy Package, keeping your home address off the public register. Not sure which address is right for each person in your company? We will explain before you file anything.

Frequently asked questions