Can I use my home address as my registered office?

The short answer

A home address is allowed. Companies House does not ban residential addresses. What matters is whether the address meets every rule for a registered office.

The address must be a physical address in the UK. It must be in the same country the company is registered in. For example, a company registered in Scotland must have a registered office in Scotland. A company registered in England and Wales needs an address in England or Wales.

If you are happy for your home address to be public, and you can reliably receive company post there, it can work. If either of those is a problem, use another address.

Source: Rules for registered office addresses

What makes an 'appropriate address' since 4 March 2024

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act brought in a new test from 4 March 2024. A company must make sure its registered office is at an appropriate address at all times, not only when it is first registered. It was one of several Companies House changes since 2024.

In plain terms, GOV.UK says two things must be true. First, you or someone acting for the company will be made aware of any post addressed and delivered to the company. Second, when post arrives, the sender can get confirmation of delivery, for example by someone signing for it.

You can no longer use a Royal Mail PO Box as a registered office. This also covers similar services from other companies. You can still use a third party's address, such as an accountant, solicitor or registered office provider, if it meets the same test.

Source: Rules for registered office addresses

The privacy trade-off of a public home address

Your company's registered office address is publicly available on the online register. Anyone can search for the company and see it. Older addresses also stay visible in the company's filing history.

This is the main reason people choose not to use their home. Customers, suppliers and strangers can see where you live. Official post, such as letters from Companies House, is sent there, so someone must be able to open it and act on it.

GOV.UK is clear that you do not have to use a sensitive address, such as your home address, for the registered office. If you do not want your home address on the public register, choose a different registered office address from the start. It is much simpler than removing it later.

Source: Your personal information on the Companies House register

Options for keeping a home address off the register

There are a few routes. Pick one before you incorporate, or before you file a change, if you can.

Use another address you are entitled to use. This could be business premises, a shared office or a family member's address, as long as they agree and the post will reach you. Use an accountant or solicitor's address with their agreement. Use a registered office provider or other agent whose address meets the appropriate address test.

If your home address is already on the register, you can apply to Companies House to remove your home address from documents using form SR01. It costs £34 for each document (see our guide to Companies House fees). If the company is active, you must change the registered office to a new address before you can apply. If the company is dissolved, you must wait 6 months before applying to remove an address used as a registered office.

Some addresses cannot be removed. These include a current registered office address and an address that is the subject of a mortgage charge.

Source: Removing your home address from the Companies House register

What Companies House does if an address is not appropriate

Companies House can act if a registered office is not an appropriate address. The registrar may change the company's registered office to a default address held at Companies House. This can happen without notice, or after giving the company 14 days to object and show the address is appropriate.

Once that happens, the company has 28 days to give Companies House a new registered office. The notice must include evidence that the company has proprietary rights in, or permission to use, the new address. Examples include a lease or freehold documents, a written agreement to use the address, or a recent utility bill.

If no acceptable new address arrives within 28 days, the registrar can publish a notice in the Gazette saying the company will be struck off. Unless the company gives a new address or a valid objection within 2 months of that notice, it can be struck off the register and dissolved.

A company on the default address cannot change its registered office online in the usual way. It must use the paper route set out on the AD01 page.

Other people can also challenge an address. Someone who wants to complain about a company's registered office address can apply to Companies House on form RP07 to have it changed.

Source: Registrar of Companies: rules and powers

Common mistakes with a home registered office

Using a home address without thinking about privacy, then needing to pay to remove it from each document later.

Using a PO Box, or a mail forwarding service that cannot confirm delivery to the company.

Moving house and leaving the old address on the register. If post no longer reaches the company, the address is no longer appropriate. GOV.UK says you must tell Companies House within 14 days of a change.

Using a landlord's or relative's address without clear permission. You may be asked to show evidence that you are entitled to use it.

Choosing an address in the wrong UK country, such as an English address for a company registered in Scotland.

Source: Change a company's registered office address (AD01)

Changing your registered office

This guide covers the rules and your choices. For the steps, read our guide on how to change your registered office address.

SimpleFilings can prepare and submit the change to Companies House once you approve it. Our £4.99 SimpleFilings service fee is separate from anything Companies House charges. You need the company authentication code, and the new address must be one the company is entitled to use. The change only takes effect once Companies House registers it.