If you’re starting a company or taking on the role of director, one of the admin tasks you’ll need to take care of is your director’s service address. This is the official address where government bodies, like Companies House and HMRC, will send any legal or statutory letters related to your role as a director.
Every company director in the UK must provide a service address (also known as a correspondence address) when they’re appointed, and this information gets published on the public Companies House register. You can use a home or commercial address, but because it goes on the public record, many people choose to use a professional (non-residential) address for privacy and peace of mind.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly what a director’s service address is, how it differs from your residential address, and the benefits of using a professional address service.
Key takeaways
- Directors can choose any physical address for their service address, including international locations, except PO Box numbers.
- Using a commercial service address enhances privacy and projects a professional image for directors.
- A professional service address prevents unsolicited visits and protects personal information from public disclosure.
Legal requirements for your director’s service address
Under UK company law, every company director, secretary, subscriber, limited liability partnership (LLP) member and person with significant control (PSC) must provide a service address to Companies House. This rule applies whether you’re forming a new company, taking on a directorship, or updating your company’s details.
Here’s what Companies House requires for a valid director’s service address:
- It must be a full, physical postal address (PO Box numbers are not accepted).
- It must be able to receive official mail, such as letters from Companies House, HMRC, and other government departments.
- It can be located anywhere in the world. Unlike a company’s registered office, it doesn’t have to be in the UK.
You don’t need to work at your service address, and it doesn’t have to be connected to your business premises. In fact, it can be your home address, your accountant’s office, a commercial property, or a professional address service.
Difference between a director’s service address and residential address
Companies House uses your residential (home) address for security and ID verification. However, it only remains confidential if you don’t use it as your official service address.
Your director’s service address is the publicly visible location where official government mail is sent. If you use your home address for this purpose, it will be published on the Companies House register and made available to the general public. This could mean unsolicited mail or even uninvited guests showing up at your door.
Many directors choose to use a different address to protect their privacy and separate their personal life from their business role. Doing this also helps you present a more professional image to clients and contacts.
What can I use as a director’s service address?
The good news is you have flexibility when choosing a service address, so long as it meets all the legal criteria. Here are some options you could use:
- Your private home address (though not recommended if you want to stay off the public register)
- Your company’s registered office or trading address
- A professional advisor’s office (e.g. your accountant or solicitor)
- The same address used by another company director
- A commercial address from a professional address service provider, like Quality Company Formations
You are not legally obligated to live or work at your director’s service address. It also doesn’t need to be in the UK.
Why use a professional address service
We recommend using a professional address to protect your privacy, bolster your professional image, and give you that all-important peace of mind that your personal information is out of public view. That’s where a professional service address comes in handy.
At Quality Company Formations, we offer a prestigious London Director’s Service Address in Covent Garden for just £26.00 + VAT per year. The package includes:
- A high-profile, central London address to enhance your professional image
- Full protection of your personal home address from the public register
- Free digital mail forwarding of all official government post within one working day
- Instant setup – compliant and ready to use
- Available as part of our Privacy, Privacy Plus and Fully Inclusive company formation packages at a discounted rate
It’s a simple solution that ticks all the boxes, especially if you run a home-based business or are just starting out and want to keep overheads low. We offer this service to:
- Company directors
- Company secretaries
- Shareholders (also known as subscribers)
- PSCs
- LLP members
If you hold more than one of these roles, you can use a single address for all of them.
How to change your director’s service address
Looking to change your service address? The process is quick and easy.
1. Choose your new service address
First, make sure your new address meets the legal requirements. Remember, it must:
- Be a full, physical postal address
- Be able to receive official government mail
Unlike the registered office address, the director’s service address can be located anywhere in the world.
2. Inform Companies House
Next, update your details with Companies House using one of the following forms:
- CH01 – for natural (human) directors
- CH02 – for corporate directors
- CH03 – for company secretaries
- PSCO4 – for PSCs
- LL CHO1 – for LLP members
The easiest way to report a change to your service address is via our online Client Portal, which is available to customers and non-customers.
3. Remove your old address
When you change your service address, the old one will still be visible on past filings. To remove (“suppress”) it from the public register, you’ll need to apply to Companies House by completing and filing the SR01 form. It costs £30 per document where the address appears.
Protect your company and your privacy with a professional director’s service address
Your director’s service address is a key detail that can impact your privacy, credibility, and how others view your company. Opting for a non-residential, professional service address helps you keep your home address off the public record, avoid unsolicited mail, and present your business in the best possible light.
Whether you’re just starting out or making changes to a thriving company, Quality Company Formations makes it simple. From professional address services to full compliance support, we offer everything you need to get started – and stay one step ahead.
Please note that the information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. While our aim is that the content is accurate and up to date, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for tailored advice from qualified professionals. We strongly recommend that you seek independent legal and tax advice specific to your circumstances before acting on any information contained in this article. We accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage that may result from your reliance on the information provided in this article. Use of the information contained in this article is entirely at your own risk.
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