What is a registered Office Address? [Comprehensive Guide]

When you’re setting up a business in the UK, one of the first details you need to provide is a registered office address. It may seem like a formality, but it has a crucial role in how your company is perceived by regulators, banks, and anyone reviewing your details on Companies House.

This is your company’s official legal address. It does not have to be where you work every day. It could be your home, your accountant’s office, or a virtual office, as long as it meets the legal requirements.

In this guide, we’ll look at what a registered office address is, why it matters, the rules you need to follow, and how to choose one that works for your business.

What is a registered Office Address?

A registered office address is the main legal address for your company or limited liability partnership (LLP). It’s where Companies House, HMRC, and other official bodies send important mail, like:

This address goes on the public record, so anyone can look it up on the Companies House website. That’s why many people choose not to use their home address, even though it’s allowed.

Just to be clear: the registered office address does not have to be where your company actually does business. It’s just where official mail gets sent.

What does the law say?

From 4 March 2024, the rules about registered offices got stricter thanks to a new law called the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The goal? To improve accuracy, stop fake companies, and make sure important documents don’t get lost.

Here’s what the law now requires:

✅ The address must be a real place

✅ It must be “appropriate”

These rules ensure that companies can be properly contacted if needed and that someone will actually open and respond to official letters.

What is the registered Office Address used for?

This is the address where the legal and government worlds connect with your business. It’s used for:

1. Official mail: Companies House and HMRC send documents such as reminders about accounts and tax returns, as well as confirmation statements and fines, to this address.

2. Legal notices: If someone sues your company or needs to send legal papers, they’ll go here. This could include court summons or notices from government bodies.

3. Public inspection: Unless you choose a different address (known as a SAIL address), your company’s statutory registers may also be inspected at the registered office.

4. Transparency: Your registered office address is publicly available on the Companies House register. This helps prevent fraud and maintains transparency and accountability.

Can you use your home address as an office address?

Yes, you can. But it’s not always a great idea.

Your home address will be publicly available, and anyone can look it up. That includes customers, suppliers, competitors, and strangers. 

So, if you care about your privacy, you might not want your home showing up every time someone Googles your company.

Also, using your home address may not look professional, especially if you’re trying to build trust with clients or partners.

What about Virtual Offices?

This is where many small businesses and freelancers turn to virtual office services.

A virtual office gives you a proper street address (not a PO Box) that you can use as your registered office. It’s ideal if you don’t want to use your home and don’t have an actual office yet.

But it has to be legally compliant. That means:

Good virtual office providers offer extras like same-day scanning, email alerts, and digital storage for your mail.

What to look for in a virtual office

Not all services are equal. A few things to check:

One example is ANNA Money’s Virtual Office, which offers a London address, same-day scanning, and everything you need to stay compliant, with prices starting from £32/month (billed annually).

How to choose the right Registered Office Address

Here are your main options:

1. Use your home address

2. Use your accountant's or solicitor’s address

3. Use a virtual office

Just make sure the address is in the right jurisdiction (e.g., don’t use a London address if your company is registered in Northern Ireland) and that it meets the “appropriate” test.

What happens if you don’t comply?

This isn’t one of those rules that gets ignored. If you don’t follow the law, Companies House can take action.

Here’s what might happen:

If that happens, your business will cease to exist legally. You could lose contracts, damage your reputation, and end up having to start again from scratch.

Can you change your Registered Office Address?

Yes, and it's quite easy. If you move, change services, or want to update your details, you just need to:

Registered Office vs. Service Address vs. Business Address

Let’s clear up a common confusion. These addresses have different purposes:

Note: You can use the same address for all three, but they don’t have to be the same.

Summary: What do you need to remember about a registered Office address?

A registered office address in the UK isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a critical legal and public-facing part of your business structure.

Here’s a final checklist:

✅ Must be a physical UK address, not a PO Box

✅ Must be in the correct jurisdiction

✅ Must allow delivery acknowledgment

✅ Must be monitored by someone acting for the company

✅ Will be on the public register

✅ Can be changed with proper notice

❌ Non-compliance risks penalties, and dissolution

Do you need a proper Registered Office in London?

If you're serious about protecting your privacy, staying compliant, and making your business look like it means business, ANNA Money’s Virtual Office is one of the strongest options out there, especially if you're running things solo, remotely, or from home.

Here’s what sets it apart:

✨ A real London address, not just a mailbox

You get a prime central London office address you can legally use as your company’s registered office. It’s not a PO Box. It’s not a forwarding-only address. It’s a proper, staffed location that meets all the new Companies House requirements.

Why it matters:

✨ Mail that actually reaches you

ANNA doesn’t just receive your mail; it gets scanned the same day, you receive email alerts, and it is stored securely in your account. You see what comes in without having to chase it.

No delays. No lost letters. No stress.

✨ Fully compliant with 2024 rules

Under the new law, your registered office has to be more than a nameplate. ANNA’s address service is set up to handle it properly:

That’s exactly what Companies House looks for.

✨ Built-in privacy without cutting corners

Using ANNA’s address means your personal home address stays private, while still meeting every legal requirement. You won’t end up on the public register, but you also won’t risk non-compliance.

💡 Optional full support for company admin

If you want more than just an address, ANNA offers full packages that include:

✨ Simple pricing that makes sense

Start with just the Virtual Office for £32/month (billed annually) – no hidden fees, no unnecessary extras. Or upgrade to a bundled plan with full admin support starting from £119/year.