What Is a Director Service Address in the UK?

🔐 Becoming a director of a UK company?

Companies House requires you to provide a public service address and a separate usual residential address. Using a professional director service address can prevent your home from appearing as your public correspondence address.

What is a director service address? Quick answer

A director service address is the public correspondence address recorded for a company director at Companies House.

It is the address where formal communications and documents addressed to the director in their official capacity can be delivered.

Every director must provide Companies House with:

1. A service address for public correspondence
2. A usual residential address, which is normally kept private

The service address can be:

• The company’s registered office
• The director’s home address
• An accountant’s or solicitor’s address
• A professional director address service
• Another authorised correspondence address

If a director uses their home as their service address, the home address will normally appear publicly.

Official guidance:

• Companies House guidance on directors’ personal information
• Appointing company directors

Director service address definition

A director service address is the address used for correspondence relating to an individual’s role as a company director.

It is sometimes called a:

• Correspondence address
• Director correspondence address
• Public director address
• Officer service address
• Companies House service address

The formal Companies House term is service address.

In simple terms:

A director service address is the public address at which a director can officially be contacted about the company.

It does not have to be the address where the director lives or carries out their daily work.

Is a director service address required?

Yes.

Every individual appointed as a director of a UK company must provide a service address to Companies House.

This applies whether the director:

• Lives in the UK
• Lives overseas
• Works from home
• Runs the company remotely
• Is the company’s only director
• Directs several companies
• Does not work from a permanent office

A director cannot opt out of providing a public service address.

The choice is therefore not whether to provide one, but which address to use.

Why does Companies House require a service address?

The service address creates a reliable public contact point for the director.

It allows correspondence relating to the director’s company role to be sent without requiring the director’s private residential address to be displayed publicly.

Documents may relate to:

• The director’s appointment
• Changes to company information
• Companies House enquiries
• Compliance matters
• Legal correspondence
• Formal notices
• Documents served on the director
• The director’s statutory responsibilities

The address must therefore be genuine, monitored and capable of receiving correspondence intended for the director.

Is a director service address public?

Yes.

A director’s service address normally appears on the public Companies House register.

Anyone searching for the company or director may be able to view:

• The director’s name
• Nationality
• Month and year of birth
• Occupation, where shown
• Appointment date
• Service address
• Current and previous company appointments

The director’s full residential address is generally held separately and is not displayed to ordinary users of the public register.

This is why directors who value privacy usually avoid using their home as their service address.

Director service address vs residential address

A service address and residential address perform different functions.

The service address is intended for public correspondence.

The residential address is provided to Companies House for identification and regulatory records.

Using a professional service address does not remove the requirement to provide a real residential address privately to Companies House.

Will Companies House publish my home address?

Companies House does not normally publish a director’s usual residential address merely because it has been provided as the private residential address.

However, the address may become public if the director also uses it as their:

• Service address
• Correspondence address
• Company registered office
• Public address on previously filed documents

This distinction is important.

Providing your home privately as your usual residential address is different from choosing it as your public service address.

Can I use my home as my director service address?

Yes.

A director may use their residential address as their service address.

However, doing so normally places that address on the public Companies House register.

The address may then be copied by:

• Business-information websites
• Search engines
• Credit-reference databases
• Company directories
• Data aggregators
• Other public services

Even after the director changes the address, the original address may continue to appear on historical filings or third-party databases.

Using a separate service address from the beginning is usually easier than attempting to remove a home address later.

Why do directors use a professional service address?

The main reason is privacy.

A professional director service address allows the director to use a public correspondence address without displaying their residential address.

It can also help directors:

• Keep personal and company mail separate
• Avoid statutory correspondence arriving at home
• Maintain one consistent public address when moving house
• Manage a UK company from overseas
• Present a stable professional contact address
• Access company correspondence digitally
• Reduce the risk of missing official documents

A professional service does not make the director anonymous. Their required public director information remains visible, but their home address does not need to be used as the public correspondence address.

Director service address vs registered office

These two addresses are often confused, but they belong to different legal records.

A company with one director may therefore use the same professional address for:

• The company’s registered office
• The director’s service address

However, these are still separate legal uses of the address.

The provider must authorise both services.

Read the full comparison:

👉 Director service address vs registered office

Is a director service address the same as a business address?

Not necessarily.

A director service address is specifically used for official correspondence addressed to the director in their capacity as a company officer.

A business address is a broader commercial term that may be used for:

• Customers
• Suppliers
• Invoices
• Marketing
• Business directories
• General correspondence

A provider may permit an address to be used for all these purposes, or may restrict it to statutory correspondence only.

Always check the service terms before publishing the address as a general trading or customer-facing location.

Is a service address the same as a correspondence address?

In the Companies House context, the terms are commonly used to describe the same public address.

Companies House guidance may refer to it as:

• Service address
• Correspondence address

Both describe the public address used to contact the director about the company.

This should not be confused with the director’s private residential address.

Is the director service address the company’s address?

Not automatically.

The service address belongs to the director’s officer record.

The registered office belongs to the company.

They may use the same physical address, but Companies House records them for different purposes.

For example:

• Mail addressed to ABC Ltd relates to the registered office.
• Mail addressed to Jane Smith, Director of ABC Ltd may relate to the director service address.

A service provider must be able to identify and route both types of correspondence correctly.

Can the registered office also be the director service address?

Yes.

Companies House allows a director’s service address to be the same as the company’s registered office.

This is common where a professional address provider includes both services in one package.

Using the same address can simplify:

• Company formation
• Companies House records
• Mail handling
• Address updates
• Public company information

However, purchasing a registered office service does not always automatically include director service address use.

Confirm that the provider expressly permits both.

BetaOffice includes the director service address with its registered office and virtual office plans.

Can several directors use the same service address?

Yes.

Several directors may use the same professional address, provided each director is authorised to use it and the provider can correctly identify their correspondence.

For example, the same address may be used by:

• Two directors of one company
• Directors of related companies
• A director who holds appointments at several companies
• Directors using the company’s registered office as their service address

The service provider may apply separate fees, limits or compliance checks for each person or company.

Can one director use the same address for several companies?

Potentially, yes.

A director may use the same correspondence address across several company appointments.

However, the director should ensure:

• The address is authorised for every relevant appointment
• The service remains active
• The provider knows which companies are covered
• Mail can be matched to the correct company role
• Companies House records are kept current

A single subscription may not automatically cover unlimited companies or appointments.

The commercial terms depend on the provider.

Can a non-UK resident use a director service address?

Yes.

A director of a UK company does not have to live at the service address.

This makes professional service addresses useful for overseas directors who:

• Manage a UK company remotely
• Do not have a UK residential address
• Travel frequently
• Need reliable access to UK correspondence
• Want a consistent public address

The director must still provide Companies House with their true usual residential address through the required private record.

A UK service address does not imply that the director lives in the UK.

See also:

👉 Best registered office address for non-UK residents

👉 How to open a UK company as a non-resident

Does a director service address have to be in the UK?

The service address is not governed by the same jurisdiction rule that applies to the company’s registered office.

The company’s registered office must remain in its incorporation jurisdiction, such as England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The director service address is the director’s public correspondence address and may be different from the registered office.

In practice, many directors choose a UK address because it can make receiving UK company correspondence simpler and faster.

A director should use an address where documents can be received reliably and brought to their attention.

Can the service address be in London?

Yes.

A London director service address is commonly used by:

• Home-based directors
• Overseas founders
• Remote-first businesses
• Consultants
• Contractors
• Ecommerce founders
• Technology companies
• Directors who move frequently
• Directors who want to keep their residence private

Using a London address does not mean that the director lives or works at the premises.

The address should be described accurately as a correspondence or service address unless the director genuinely occupies the location.

Explore the service:

👉 Director service address in London

Does a director service address prove that the director works there?

No.

A service address is a correspondence address.

It does not necessarily mean that:

• The director lives there
• The director works there
• The company occupies the building
• Employees are based there
• Customers can visit
• The director rents office space
• The address is a trading location

A professional service address normally provides permission to use the address for specified correspondence purposes.

It does not normally create a tenancy, lease or right of occupation.

Can customers visit a director service address?

Not automatically.

A director service address is primarily intended for correspondence.

Whether visitors are accepted depends on the provider’s terms.

Many address services do not permit:

• Walk-in visitors
• Customer meetings
• Product collections
• Returns
• Deliveries requiring storage
• The address to be presented as an occupied branch

Do not invite customers or suppliers to visit unless the provider has explicitly authorised visitor access.

What mail is sent to a director service address?

The address is intended for formal correspondence addressed to the director in connection with their company role.

This may include:

• Companies House correspondence
• Official notices
• Legal documents
• Regulatory correspondence
• Documents served on the director
• Communications concerning the director’s appointment
• Other formal company-officer correspondence

Mail addressed to the company itself is usually associated with the registered office rather than the director’s personal service address.

The exact mail accepted depends on the provider’s service terms.

Does HMRC use a director service address?

HMRC correspondence addressed to the company is generally associated with the company’s registered office or another correspondence address held by HMRC.

A director service address is primarily intended for correspondence addressed to the director personally in their company role.

This means it should not be assumed that changing the director service address will update every HMRC record.

Companies may have separate HMRC contact details for:

• Corporation Tax
• PAYE
• VAT
• Self Assessment
• Customs matters
• Other tax services

Directors should keep both Companies House and relevant HMRC records accurate.

Can legal documents be sent to the service address?

A service address exists so that documents relating to the director’s company role can be delivered to a publicly recorded address.

Directors should therefore treat correspondence received there as potentially important and time-sensitive.

A director cannot safely ignore a document merely because it was delivered to a professional address rather than their home.

The address provider should notify the director promptly and provide secure access to the correspondence.

What makes a good director service address?

A reliable service address should:

• Be genuine and deliverable
• Be authorised for use by the director
• Accept correspondence addressed to the director
• Be monitored consistently
• Identify the correct recipient
• Notify the director promptly
• Provide secure scans or forwarding
• Keep accurate customer records
• Remain active while listed publicly
• Explain which mail categories are included

The address should not simply exist on paper.

It should provide a dependable route for correspondence to reach the director.

Can I use my accountant’s address?

Yes, if the accountant agrees.

A director may use an accountant’s, solicitor’s or professional adviser’s address where:

• The adviser gives permission
• Correspondence can be received there
• Mail will be passed to the director
• The address remains available
• The arrangement is properly recorded

Do not use a professional adviser’s address without express authorisation.

The adviser may charge separately for correspondence handling.

Can I use a friend or relative’s address?

Potentially, but it may create privacy and reliability problems.

The person should:

• Give clear permission
• Understand that the address will appear publicly
• Be willing to accept formal correspondence
• Pass documents to the director promptly
• Notify the director if the arrangement ends

Using another person’s home may simply transfer the privacy exposure from the director to the friend or relative.

A professional address is often more stable.

Can I use a PO Box as a director service address?

A mailbox arrangement should not be treated as suitable merely because it can receive ordinary post.

The director needs an address where correspondence can reliably reach them and where the provider is authorised to handle their official mail.

Before using any PO Box or mailbox-style service, confirm that:

• Companies House accepts the full address format
• The provider permits director service address use
• Official correspondence can be delivered
• The director will be notified promptly
• The address represents a genuine correspondence arrangement

A company’s registered office cannot be a PO Box on its own.

For the registered-office rules, see:

👉 Can a PO Box be used as a business address?

What happens if the service address is wrong?

An inaccurate, unauthorised or unmonitored address can cause serious problems.

The director may:

• Miss Companies House correspondence
• Miss legal notices
• Fail to respond to official requests
• Leave incorrect information on the public register
• Breach reporting obligations
• Lose access to important company documents
• Expose another person’s address without permission

Companies House information should be kept accurate and up to date.

A director should not continue using an address after permission or service access has ended.

What happens when an address subscription ends?

Ending a professional address subscription does not automatically update Companies House.

The director or company must arrange a replacement address and update the director’s details.

Until the record is changed, the old address may remain:

• Publicly displayed
• Used for formal correspondence
• Associated with the director’s appointment
• Visible through third-party company databases

Do not cancel an address service without first planning how Companies House records will be updated.

How to change a director service address

A director’s service address can be changed by updating the director’s details at Companies House.

Changes can normally be filed:

• Through the Companies House online service
• Using authorised filing software
• With the relevant paper form where applicable

For an individual director, the Companies House form is commonly referred to as CH01.

Official resources:

• Change the details of a director
• Make changes to your company’s directors

Companies House should be told about changes to directors’ personal details, including address changes, within the applicable reporting period.

How quickly must the address be updated?

Companies House requires changes to directors or their personal details, such as their address, to be reported within 14 days.

The director should therefore avoid waiting until the next annual confirmation statement if the service address has changed.

After filing, check the public register to confirm that the new address has been recorded correctly.

Does changing the service address remove the old address?

Not necessarily.

Changing the current service address updates the address associated with the director’s current public record.

However, an old address may remain visible in:

• Historical filings
• Previously submitted documents
• Archived company information
• Third-party company databases
• Search-engine indexes

Changing the address today does not guarantee that every historical reference disappears.

This is why it is usually better not to place a home address on the public record in the first place.

Can a home address be removed from Companies House?

Companies House provides a process for applying to remove a home address that was used as a service, correspondence or registered office address.

Where the person still holds an active company position and the home address is the current correspondence address, a replacement address will generally be required.

Official guidance:

Removing a home address from the Companies House register

Removal is not always automatic, and third-party websites may retain previously collected information.

See also:

👉 Can people see my home address on Companies House?

Director service addresses and identity verification

Companies House identity verification and director address requirements serve different purposes.

Identity verification confirms the identity of a director.

The service address provides the director’s public correspondence address.

Completing identity verification does not remove the requirement to maintain accurate address information.

Directors should ensure that:

• Their identity-verification requirements are completed
• Their service address is correct
• Their private residential address is current
• Each company appointment is properly linked to their verified identity where required

Official guidance:

Companies House identity verification

Common director service address mistakes

Using a home address without understanding that it is public

A home address used as the service address will normally appear on the Companies House register.

Assuming the residential address and service address are the same record

They are separate. One is public; the other is normally held privately.

Purchasing only a registered office service

Not every registered office package includes director service address use.

Using an address without permission

The address owner or provider should authorise its use.

Cancelling a service without updating Companies House

The old address remains on the register until the director details are changed.

Ignoring correspondence

Official documents should be reviewed promptly.

Presenting the address as an occupied office

A service address does not prove that the director or company works there.

Forgetting about multiple appointments

A director should make sure the address arrangement covers each relevant company appointment.

Waiting for the confirmation statement

Address changes should be reported within the required period rather than left until the next annual filing.

Director service address checklist

Before choosing an address, confirm that:

• You are authorised to use it
• It can receive correspondence addressed to you
• The provider permits director service address use
• The address will appear publicly
• Your home address will not be used as the public address
• Mail will be identified correctly
• You will receive prompt notifications
• Secure scanning or forwarding is available
• The service covers all required company appointments
• The address will remain active while listed
• You understand any visitor or parcel restrictions
• You know how to update Companies House if the service ends

Frequently asked questions

What is a director service address?

It is the public correspondence address recorded for a company director at Companies House.

Is a service address mandatory?

Yes. Every director must provide a service address when appointed.

Is the director service address public?

Yes. It is normally displayed on the public Companies House register.

Is my residential address public?

Not normally. Companies House generally holds the usual residential address on a private register unless it has also been used publicly for another purpose.

Can I use my home address?

Yes, but it will normally become publicly visible if used as the service address.

Can I use the registered office as my service address?

Yes. The two records may use the same physical address, provided the address is authorised for both purposes.

Is a director service address the same as a registered office?

No. The service address belongs to the director. The registered office belongs to the company.

Can a non-UK resident use a UK service address?

Yes. A director does not need to live at the service address.

Does the director have to work at the address?

No. It is a correspondence address and does not have to be an operational workplace.

Can customers visit the address?

Only where the provider permits visitors. Many service addresses are not customer-facing locations.

Can several directors use the same address?

Yes, where each director is authorised and correspondence can be handled correctly.

Can I use the same address for several companies?

Potentially, subject to the provider’s terms and coverage for each company appointment.

Does the address receive HMRC mail?

It may receive correspondence addressed personally to the director, but company tax correspondence is normally associated with the registered office or another address held by HMRC.

Can I change the address later?

Yes. The director’s details must be updated at Companies House.

How quickly must a change be reported?

Changes to directors’ personal details, including addresses, should be reported to Companies House within 14 days.

Will changing it remove the old address completely?

Not always. Previous information may remain on historical filings or third-party databases.

Can I remove my home address from historical records?

Companies House provides an application process for eligible cases, but removal is not necessarily automatic or universal.

What happens if the service ends?

You should arrange a replacement and update Companies House promptly. Cancelling the service alone does not change the public register.

Key takeaways

A director service address is more than a convenient mailing address.

It is the director’s official public correspondence address and forms part of the Companies House record.

A strong address arrangement should:

• Keep the director’s residential address off the public record
• Receive official correspondence reliably
• Notify the director promptly
• Remain active while listed at Companies House
• Be authorised for each required appointment
• Clearly distinguish correspondence use from physical occupation
• Be updated promptly when circumstances change

Choosing a professional service address before incorporation can prevent avoidable privacy exposure and make company administration easier.

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This article provides general information about UK company addresses and does not constitute legal, tax or professional advice. Requirements may vary depending on the company, individual and jurisdiction.