Can a virtual office be used as a registered office?

A virtual office offers a number of benefits to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, especially those which are home-based or operate without commercial business premises. One such benefit is that a virtual office can be used as a registered office, provided the address meets the legal requirements stipulated in the Companies Act 2006.

What is a virtual office?

A virtual office provides a range of flexible business functions that can be accessed remotely, without the need to lease physical office space or hire staff. The types of services available from a virtual office provider include:

• Registered office address
• Service address
• Business address
• Mail handling and forwarding
• Reception desk services
• Business telephone numbers and call answering
• After-hours voicemail and/or divert facilities
• Meeting room hire
• Conference facilities

Due to the remote nature of a virtual office, there are no geographical restrictions, nor is there any need to work from, or visit, the physical premises in person. No matter where you are at any given time, your business will have a permanent presence in a fixed location, telephone calls will be answered, and you can focus on running day-to-day operations and growing your business.

Using a virtual office as a registered office

Using a virtual office as a registered office is a practical and cost-effective solution for limited companies and LLPs, providing the opportunity to establish a reputable corporate image, keep home address details off the public record, and meet the ever-changing needs of a small business.

Registered office, service address, and business address – what’s the difference?

To use a virtual office as a registered office, the address must be:

• Situated in the same country, or jurisdiction, as company incorporation, i.e. England & Wales, Wales only, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
• A physical address that is accessible and able to receive mail
• An ‘appropriate address’, as defined in Section 86 of the Companies Act 2006 – PO Boxes are no longer permitted
• Can be verified on the UK’s Postcode Address File (PAF) via Royal Mail’s Postcode and Address Finder

If you decide to use a virtual office as your company’s registered office, you must register the address with Companies House. All statutory company mail from government agencies will be delivered to the registered office, and the address will be made available to the general public on the central register at Companies House.

Furthermore, you will be required to display your registered office address on all company stationery, which includes letters, emails, websites, and promotional material.

Set up a virtual registered office address in London

A virtual registered office address in London is the perfect solution for limited companies and LLPs incorporated in England & Wales, providing professional status and credibility, in addition to offering personal privacy to company owners.

How do I find the registered office address of a company?

Quality Company Formation’s prestigious Covent Garden address, situated in the heart of London’s West End, is available to use as a virtual Registered Office Service for only £39.00 (plus VAT) per year. The forwarding of official company mail from government agencies is included in the price.

We also provide business telephone services through our sister company, Bizik.

If you would like to speak to one of our company formation experts about our London Registered Office or other services, please call 020 3908 0044.