The different limited company addresses explained

Before, during and after setting up a UK limited company, you will come across a range of different company addresses.

The registered office, director’s service address, correspondence address, residential address, SAIL address and business address – it can be a lot to get your head around. 

In this blog post we take a look at what each address is as well as provide any other information that you need to know. 

Before we do get started, it’s worth pointing out that the registered office, service address(es) and residential address(es) need to be provided during the company formation process.

This is why, as part of this blog, we explain how you can change these addresses. The SAIL address is provided (if you want one) after a company has been formed, this is why we tell you how to select one.

What is the registered office address?

This is the official address for a UK limited company and as that would suggest, it must be based in the UK. 

A company does not have to conduct any trading activity from the registered office. In fact, there’s no requirement for the company to have any officers or staff based there, provided any official company documents that arrive at the address (for example, mail from Companies House and HMRC) are seen by the company officers.

Any address can be used as the registered office, provided that permission has been granted by the landlords.

Is the registered office address on the Companies House public register?

Yes. This means someone can view the address within a matter of seconds using the Companies House search tool.

Can I use my home address as a registered office?

Yes, provided that you live in the UK and that you have permission from the landlord (if you are renting).

However, we do not recommend using a residential address as the registered office because – as mentioned above – it is located on the Companies House public register.

Using a residential address as the registered office could leave you susceptible to unwanted visitors, junk mail and even ID fraud.

Also, it may belittle the corporate image of your company as all potential customers, clients, suppliers and other business partners will see that you’re a home-based operation.

How to change a registered office address

There are a number of ways to change the registered office address:

• Directly with Companies House using WebFiling
• Directly with Companies House using the AD01 Change of registered office address form
• Using our free Online Company Manager – accessible to anyone, provided you have your company number and company authentication code

The registered office address jurisdiction

The registered office address can be based in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.

The location of the registered office dictates a company’s jurisdiction.

• If a company is formed in England, its jurisdiction is England and Wales
• If a company is formed in Scotland, its jurisdiction is Scotland
• If a company is formed in Northern Ireland, its jurisdiction is Northern Ireland
• And, somewhat confusingly, if a company is formed in Wales its jurisdiction is either England and Wales or just Wales

Once the jurisdiction is set (via the location of a company’s first registered office) it can not be changed. This means that whilst the registered office can be updated, it can’t move between jurisdictions.

For example, a company formed in Scotland can’t change its registered office to an address in England.

What is a service address?

Also known as the correspondence address, the service address is the official address for the company directors, shareholders, secretaries and people with significant control (PSCs).

Unlike the registered office address, the service address can be based anywhere in the world.

Like the registered office address, the company does not need to trade at the address, nor do any company officers need to be based there – just as long as they see their official government mail that arrives at the address.

Is the service address on the Companies House public register?

Yes, anyone can quickly and simply find the address using the Companies House search tool.

Can I use my home address as the service address?

You can, however, we do not recommend this because – as outlined above – the service address is placed on the Companies House public register.

By using a residential address as the service address you are opening yourself up to unwanted visitors, junk mail and potential ID fraud.

How to change a service address

You can change the service address in the following ways:

• Directly with Companies House using WebFiling
• Directly with Companies House using the CH01 Change of director’s details form (for a director)
• Directly with Companies House using the CH03 Change the details of a secretary form (for a secretary)
• Directly with Companies House using the PSC04 Change of details of individual person with significant control form (for a PSC)
• Using our free Online Company Manager – accessible to anyone, provided you have your company number and company authentication code

What is the residential address?

When adding your directors and people with significant control, as well as having to provide a service address, you will also need to give a residential address.

This must be the legitimate residential address of the person in question – and as that would suggest, can be based anywhere in the world.

Is the residential address on the Companies House public register?

The residential address does not go on the public register unless the address is also being used as the registered office or as a service address.

Companies House requests this address for their own information and will only give it to credit reference agencies and official bodies in specific circumstances, for example – the police if they suspect criminal activity.

How to change a residential address

You can change the residential address in the following ways:

• Directly with Companies House using WebFiling
• Directly with Companies House using the CH01 Change of director’s details form (for a director)
• Directly with Companies House using the PSC04 Change of details of individual person with significant control form (for a PSC)
• Using our free Online Company Manager – accessible to anyone, provided you have your company number and company authentication code

The SAIL address (single alternative inspection location address)

This is the location where a company’s statutory records are kept (and available to be inspected) as an alternative to the registered office.

The SAIL address is an optional address but if you do choose to have one it must be in the same jurisdiction as the company’s registered office.

Is the SAIL address on the Companies House public register?

If you do choose to have a SAIL address it will be placed on the public register and so accessible with the Companies House search tool.

How to register a SAIL address

You can select a SAIL address in the following ways:

• Directly with Companies House using WebFiling
• Directly with Companies House using the AD02 Notification of single alternative inspection location (SAIL) form

You will also need to let Companies House know what documents have been moved. You can do this the following ways:

• Directly with Companies House using WebFiling
• Directly with Companies House using the AD03 Change of location of the company records to the single alternative inspection location form

What is the business address?

Unlike the other addresses that we’ve mentioned, this is not an official Companies House address.

Instead, the business address is the location that is given to banks, customers, suppliers, partners, and other business contacts – normally via the company’s website and other marketing materials.

A company does not have to conduct any trading from the business address, nor do any officers/staff need to be based there.

Our address services

We offer company address services that allow you to use our London address as your company’s registered office, service address, and business address.

These services are perfect if you want to shield your residential address from the public gaze as well as make a brilliant corporate impression.

• Use our address as your company's registered office address
• Use our address as a company officer's service address
• Use our address as your company's business address

We hope this has cleared up any confusion you may have had about the different addresses involved with running a limited company. If you do still have any questions, please leave a comment and we’ll be happy to help.