{"id":5341,"date":"2017-04-24T16:09:39","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T15:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qualityformations.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5341"},"modified":"2024-03-29T16:09:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T16:09:29","slug":"registered-office-i-need-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/registered-office-i-need-one\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a registered office and why do I need one?"},"content":{"rendered":"
The requirement to provide a registered office during the company formation process can sometimes cause confusion. What is it? Why do I need one? Can I use my home address? Simply, the registered office address is your company’s statutory correspondence and inspection address.<\/p>\n
Below, we explain what this means, tell you the types of addresses you can use, and discuss everything else you need to know about registered office requirements.<\/p>\n
If you wish to register a company or limited liability partnership (LLP), you must supply a registered office address during the company formation process. This is a legal requirement, as per Part 6 of the Companies Act 2006<\/a>, which expressly states that:<\/p>\n \u201cA company must at all times have a registered office to which all communications and notices may be addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n The registered office (RO) is the official address or \u2018head office\u2019 of a limited company or LLP. At this address, you will receive letters, statutory filing reminders, and legal notices from Companies House, HMRC, the courts, and other government departments and agencies.<\/p>\n A Central London registered office address for your company<\/span><\/a>\n \n It must be located in the same part of the UK where you incorporate your company or LLP. You must choose a physical postal address that can be accessed in person. It must also satisfy the new “appropriate address” rules<\/a> effective from 4 March 2024, which require that:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, you should store your company\u2019s statutory registers and records there for public inspection, unless you are using a SAIL address<\/a>.\u00a0Alternatively, you may choose to send the information usually kept in statutory registers<\/a> to Companies House instead.<\/p>\n How do I find the registered office address of a company?<\/span><\/a>\n \n Companies House operates in three separate jurisdictions in the UK. These are England and Wales (one jurisdiction), Scotland, and Northern Ireland. There is no single \u2018UK-wide\u2019 option when it comes to company formation because each country has different courts, so you must specify which jurisdiction you wish to incorporate your company in.<\/p>\n Whichever one you choose, you must also maintain the registered office in the same part of the UK:<\/p>\n Regardless of where you form your company, you can trade in all parts of the UK and overseas. In fact, you can base your operations in a different country. You simply have to maintain your registered office in the appropriate jurisdiction for the life of the company.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of flexibility here. You can use any address you like, as long as it\u2019s a physical postal address that is appropriate and located in the same UK jurisdiction where your company is registered. You need to provide the full address, including the postcode.<\/p>\n You can use any of the following:<\/p>\n You can no longer use a PO Box because this type of address does not satisfy the new appropriate address rules.<\/p>\n It is important to consider privacy and professional image when choosing a registered office. First of all, your registered address will be published on the public register at Companies House<\/a>. Secondly, you want to create a good impression for prospective clients and investors.<\/p>\n Can a virtual office be used as a registered office?<\/span><\/a>\n \n Taking these factors into consideration, it’s best to avoid using a residential address as a registered office. To protect your privacy and create a more impressive professional image, you should use a commercial (non-residential) address as a registered office.<\/p>\n If you do not have commercial business premises, the most suitable alternative is a registered office service from a company formation agent.<\/a><\/p>\n There is no requirement to trade from your company\u2019s RO address. In fact, you don\u2019t even have to visit the registered office if you arrange for your mail to be scanned and emailed to you, or forwarded to you at an alternate address.<\/p>\n It is very common for the RO to be used solely for the delivery of official government correspondence. This is why many companies set up a registered office service with a company formation agent. By using this type of professional address service, you can also enjoy the benefits of an impressive commercial address without the additional expense of renting and maintaining an office.<\/p>\n Understanding limited company shares<\/span><\/a>\n \n The address will also be displayed on public record as your official company address. Your government mail will be delivered there and then forwarded to you via email or post. Furthermore, you should use this address on your website, emails, and company stationery, which will make a great impression on clients.<\/p>\n Companies House<\/a> maintains a public register of companies, which discloses key information about all incorporated businesses (i.e. limited companies and LLPs) operating in the UK. This information is freely available to everyone.<\/p>\n The purpose of the register is to provide full transparency and allow other businesses and members of the public to find out information about any company they have, or plan to have, dealings with.<\/p>\n In addition to RO details, the public register contains the following information about every company and LLP registered in the UK:<\/p>\n Whilst there is a legal requirement to maintain your RO in the country of company formation, you can change the address whenever you like.\u00a0It\u2019s easy to change your registered office, and it\u2019s free of charge.<\/p>\n The board of directors need to agree to change the address and then deliver form AD01<\/a> to Companies House within 14 days of the change taking place. Companies House will also update your address details on the public register and then notify HMRC of the change.<\/p>\n Should I open a business bank account for my company?<\/span><\/a>\n \n Statutory documents can still be validly served to the old registered office for 14 days following the change made at Companies House.<\/p>\n\n
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What type of address should I use as a registered office?<\/h3>\n
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Do I have to trade from my registered office address?<\/h3>\n
Why is my registered office address available to the public?<\/h3>\n
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Changing your registered office<\/h3>\n