Updated for 2026 — reflects current Companies House rules, HMRC expectations, director privacy updates, and UK bank onboarding realities.
Quick Answer (2-min read)
A PO Box cannot be used as your company’s Registered Office Address at Companies House.
In practice, you need a real, physical, deliverable street address — not a mailbox-style address and not a PO Box.
This requirement helps ensure:
- Companies House and HMRC can deliver statutory notices
- Legal documents can be served properly
- The company is tied to a clear UK jurisdiction (E&W / Scotland / NI)
A PO Box can still be used for general correspondence, but not as your official registered office.
If you need a compliant address with privacy, start here:
→ Virtual Office London (EC2A)
Why a PO Box is not acceptable as a Registered Office
Under the Companies Act 2006, the registered office must be:
- A physical address that can receive documents
- A location that shows a geographical place
- An address that indicates the correct jurisdiction
- Suitable for the service of legal documents
A PO Box typically fails these criteria.
More specifically:
❌ It doesn’t clearly show a physical deliverable location
❌ It’s not suitable for statutory/legal service in the way Companies House expects
❌ It creates bank onboarding friction during verification
→ Instead, use a street-address registered office, e.g. Registered Office in London.
Companies House guidance also indicates PO Box addresses are not acceptable for registered offices.
When a PO Box can be used (limited scenarios)
A PO Box may be acceptable for:
- Marketing mail
- Customer support mail
- General correspondence
- Non-statutory communication
But your registered office must still be a street address.
If you want a modern setup (street address + scanning + privacy), use a:
→ London virtual office address
The modern solution: Virtual Office with a real London address
If you work remotely or want privacy, a virtual office is usually the cleanest compliant setup.
Best-practice configuration (2025):
Registered Office Address
→ Use a credible street address such as Virtual Office London (EC2A).Director Service Address (privacy)
Keeps your home address separate from public records where applicable.Mail scanning + organisation
Digital scans, searchable archive, and optional automation (e.g. categories / reminders).On-demand forwarding
Forward only what matters → no unnecessary postage.
This configuration is commonly used by founders and is designed to align with Companies House + HMRC correspondence needs.
BetaOffice example (compliant + privacy-first)
BetaOffice provides:
- ✔ Central London address (EC2A)
- ✔ Registered office + director service address options
- ✔ AI-assisted mail: summaries, urgency flags, tags
- ✔ Searchable digital records
- ✔ Forward only when needed (UK addresses)
- ✔ Privacy-first dashboard approach
Explore:
Compliance checklist (simple and practical)
Your setup is usually “clean” if:
- Your registered office is a real street address (not a PO Box)
- Address matches your jurisdiction (E&W / Scotland / NI)
- You use a separate director service address if privacy matters
- You can reliably receive + access statutory mail
- You have forwarding options for important items
- Your website/invoices show the correct details consistently
If you want a straightforward all-in-one option:
→ Virtual Office London (EC2A)
Bank onboarding: why PO Boxes cause problems
Many UK banks and fintechs typically require:
✔ A real UK street address
✔ Proof that your company can reliably receive official correspondence
✔ Consistency with Companies House records
A PO Box often triggers additional checks or rejection, especially during verification.
A compliant street-address registered office setup (with documented handling) is usually far smoother.
Mini-FAQ (high-intent SEO terms)
Can I use a PO Box if I also provide a street address?
Yes — as long as the Registered Office is the street address.
A PO Box can be used for non-statutory mail.
Can I register in London while living abroad?
Yes — non-UK residents can use a London Registered Office as long as it is a real deliverable address.
Start here: London virtual office.
Can legal documents be served to a PO Box?
Usually, no — legal/statutory service should be possible at the registered office street address.
Is a “mailbox address” the same as a registered office?
Not necessarily. It needs to be a real deliverable street location suitable for statutory mail handling.
Founder takeaway
A PO Box is fine for general mail —
but for Companies House, HMRC, and verification workflows,
you’ll usually need a real UK street address as your Registered Office.
If privacy + compliance + automation matter: → Get a Virtual Office London (EC2A) (7-day trial)
