What is a registered office address?

When forming a limited company in the UK, you are required to provide a registered office address as part of the registration process. Many new founders are uncertain what this means in practice — and in particular whether it has to be the same address where they actually work or run their business.

A registered office is the official address of a limited company, used by Companies House and HMRC to send legal notices and formal correspondence. It must be a physical address in the same country as the company is registered — England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland — and must be capable of receiving official mail. It does not need to be your trading address or the location where you carry out your day-to-day business activities.

Using a home address as your registered office is possible but means it becomes publicly visible on the Companies House register. Many founders use a virtual office service or their accountant's address as an alternative. Our guide to registering a limited company covers the available options and what each choice means for your privacy.