What is a registered office address?
A registered office is the official address of a UK company, held on the public register, where legal and government mail is sent. Every company must have one, it must be in the same UK jurisdiction the company is registered in (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), and — since 2024 — it must be an “appropriate address” where someone can acknowledge delivery of documents.
Registered office vs trading address
The registered office is not necessarily where the business operates. Many companies use their accountant’s office or a formation agent’s address as the registered office, while trading from somewhere else entirely. That is why the registered office on the register may differ from a company’s shopfront or warehouse.
The “appropriate address” rule introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 stops companies using a PO Box alone — documents delivered there must be capable of coming to the attention of a person acting for the company.
Frequently asked
Can a registered office be a home address?
Yes, a company can use a residential address as its registered office, but it then becomes public. Many owners use an accountant or service address instead for privacy.
Can two companies share a registered office?
Yes. It is common — accountants and formation agents often act as the registered office for hundreds of companies.
Does the registered office show where a company trades?
Not reliably. It is the official correspondence address; the actual trading location can be different. Combine it with other signals when prospecting.
Can a company change its registered office?
Yes, at any time, by filing the change with Companies House. It must stay within the company’s registered UK jurisdiction.
Related guides
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