Every limited company in the UK needs a registered office address. You provide it when you set up the company, and it is one of the details that anyone can look up afterwards. If you are starting a business, or tidying up your company records, it helps to know what the rules actually say. This guide sets out the main points from GOV.UK in plain English.
What is a registered office?
A registered office is the official address of the company. It is where official post, such as letters from government bodies, can be sent. According to GOV.UK, you must provide one when you set up the company, and it must be an appropriate address.
What does "appropriate" mean?
GOV.UK explains that an appropriate address is one where someone acting for the company is aware of any post delivered there, and where the sender can get confirmation that it has been delivered. In other words, post sent to the address should actually reach somebody who will deal with it. An address nobody checks does not meet that idea, however tidy it looks on paper.
It must be a physical address in the UK
The registered office must be a physical address in the UK. It must also be in the same country where the company is registered. GOV.UK gives a simple example: a company registered in Scotland needs a Scottish address. So if you are registering a company in one part of the UK, you cannot use an address in another part as the registered office.
No PO boxes
GOV.UK states that you can no longer use a Royal Mail PO Box as your registered office address. Similar services offered by other companies are also excluded. If you have been using a box number for your business post, you will need a proper physical address for the registered office, even if you keep the box for other purposes.
Your registered office is public
The address you give will be publicly available on the online register of companies. That matters if you were planning to use your home address. Anyone searching for your company will be able to see it.
If you do not want your home address on the register
GOV.UK says you can use an accountant's or solicitor's address, with their permission, or appoint an agent to supply an address for you. Either way, the address still has to meet the same test: it must be a physical UK address in the right country, and post sent there must reach someone acting for the company. Agree in advance how post will be passed on to you, so nothing important is missed.
A short checklist
- Is it a physical address in the UK, and in the same country as the company is registered?
- Will someone acting for the company know when post arrives there?
- Can a sender get confirmation of delivery?
- Is it something other than a Royal Mail PO Box or a similar box service?
- Are you comfortable with the address being visible on the public register?
- If you are using an accountant, solicitor or agent, do you have their permission and a clear process for passing post on?
Keeping it up to date
Companies move, and post that goes to an old address can mean missed letters and missed deadlines. If your address changes, check the current GOV.UK guidance on how to tell Companies House, and make sure anyone who sends you official post has the new details.
This article is general information based on GOV.UK guidance read on 20 October 2026. It is not legal or professional advice, and rules can change. For your own circumstances, check the latest guidance or speak to a qualified adviser.