Registered office address: definition and why do businesses need one

The registered office address is the official address of a company that is registered with the government. It is where all the records of a company are filed. In this article, we will cover what a registered address is, where and when you can use it and all the benefits of this kind of address.

To begin with, what is a company's registered office?

If you register a business with Companies House, you are legally required to have a registered office address. You may be wondering why this address is required. This is why.

A company's registered office is its official address. A registered office is necessary by the Companies Act 2006 if you want to start a company in London. Companies can be served documents by having them sent to the registered office addresses.

It is the incorporated company's official address, which is open to the public to view. The address does not have to be the same as your typical trading address. For companies to receive official mail and formal notices, a registered office address is essential. It is advisable to use your business address which you use to carry out your day to day activities for your VAT application, not your registered office address.

Where to use the registered address?

You must prominently display your company’s name and address of its registered office outside every office or place of business.

The registered name of a company must, in general, be accessible to the public at its registered office.

All your communications, including letters, websites, business cards, emails, and letterheads, must mention the company's registered office address. Your Registered Office is required by law to have a physical address where you can receive official communication from Companies House and HMRC.

What are the advantages of having a registered office address?

Here are some of the reasons why having a registered office location is beneficial to you:

• The registered office address does not have to be the location where the organization does its actual business or trade.
   
• If you run a home-based business, you can register your office address somewhere else and keep your private personal address off the public record. While you will still be required to provide your home address to Companies House when registering your business and business account, this information will be kept private and off the public record.
   
• Any messages received on your behalf by a registered office provider will be scanned and delivered to your nominated contact email address. If you require original copies of the documents, they will be sent to your designated postal address, with postage and handling fees determined by the size and volume of the documents or packages.
   
• The use of registered office addresses might also help you project a more professional image to your consumers or clients. Companies can obtain a prestigious London business address in the London business district by employing London-based business address services. Because of the combination of your incorporated status and prestigious London business address, your Limited Company will immediately make a very professional first impression and appear to be a more credible outfit to deal with.
   
• Virtual registered office addresses are inexpensive to obtain and have frequently included additional features such as meeting room access and mail forwarding. To keep their residential address hidden, many people opt for a virtual registered office membership.

How to change a registered office address?

It's simple and quick to change your registered office address, and you may do it online. Changes to your registered office address are free, but you'll need your email address and authentication code.

You must notify Companies House within 14 days after altering your registered office address, and to do so, you must complete and return Companies House form AD01.

Your company number and name, as well as your new registered office address and signature, will be required. Once your new address is considered eligible, the change will be accepted.

You won't be able to modify your address until it's registered with Companies House. Remember to update your address on your website, order forms, receipts, and business cards.