Home

What is a Registered Office Address?

20 Aug 2025 2 min read
What is a Registered Office Address?

Definition

A registered office is your company’s official, public address at Companies House.
Government notices and legal documents are sent here.

If you're comparing options, see our
👉 Cheap Registered Office London guide
for compliant low-cost setups.


Why it matters

  • Required by law from incorporation
  • Displayed on the public register
  • Determines your jurisdiction (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)
  • Used for service of documents (must be deliverable)

If you're considering London as your base:
👉 Virtual Office London
👉 Central London business address (EC2A)


What it looks like on records

You’ll see it on:

  • Your Companies House profile
  • Incorporation documents
  • Invoices and website (best practice)

For area-specific guidance:
👉 Islington Virtual Office
👉 Hackney Virtual Office
👉 Virtual Office North London


Choosing the right address

  • Prefer a credible location (e.g., Central London) for trust.
  • Ensure the address is serviceable (staffed to receive mail).
  • Keep privacy by using a director service address distinct from home.
  • Avoid PO Boxes — they are not accepted by Companies House.

More details here:
👉 PO Box Alternative London


Set-up pattern we recommend

  1. Registered office (public, legal)
  2. Director service address (public for director, keeps home private)
  3. AI-sorted mail with summaries and categories
  4. Forward only when needed

If you need a flexible option:
👉 Virtual Office Rental London

BetaOffice provides all of the above in one place.
Get started


Quick checklist

  • Real UK street address (no PO Box)
  • Correct jurisdiction
  • Mail scanning enabled
  • Director address separate from home
  • Details shown on website/invoices

Looking for lower-cost alternatives?
👉 Cheap Virtual Office London
👉 Virtual Office Greater London


Mini-FAQ

Can I change my registered office later?
Yes — file a change with Companies House; then update website & email footer.

Can I use the same address for director service?
You can — but many prefer a separate director address for privacy and filtering.

Is scanning mandatory?
Not legally, but it prevents missed deadlines, especially HMRC reminders.

For non-UK based founders:
👉 Virtual Office Address UK


Central London registered office + director address + AI mail = less admin.
See pricing.

More from the Blog