The different types of company address in the UK can be confusing when you’re setting up a limited company. Some are public on Companies House, others are private, and each one serves a different purpose.
You’ll need a registered office, service address, and residential address at the point of incorporation. Later, you may also choose to add a SAIL address or a separate business address.
In this guide, we explain what each company address means, when you’ll need it, and how to protect your privacy by using professional address services when incorporating your business.
What are the different types of company address?
There are five main addresses you’ll encounter as a UK company director. Here’s how they compare:
| Address type | Purpose | On public register? | Who it applies to | Location rules | Change process |
| Registered office | Official company address for legal mail | Yes | The company | Must be in the same UK jurisdiction | File with Companies House (AD01) |
| Service address | Public correspondence address for officers | Yes | Directors, PSCs, secretaries | Can be UK or overseas | File with Companies House (CH01, CH03, PSC04) |
| Residential address | Private home address for ID checks | No | Directors, PSCs | Anywhere | File with Companies House (CH01, PSC04) |
| SAIL address | Optional location for company records | Yes, if adopted | The company | Same jurisdiction as registered office | File with Companies House (AD02, AD03) |
| Business address | Where the business trades or presents itself | No | Any company | Anywhere | Update with banks, suppliers, HMRC |
1. What is a Registered Office Address?
The registered office is your company’s official legal address. Companies House, HMRC and the courts will send statutory mail here. You don’t need to trade from the registered office, but you must be able to access and act on mail that arrives.
Is the registered office on the Companies House public register?
Yes. It is searchable online by anyone. It is necessary for all limited companies to register with Companies House before they can legally trade.
Can I use my home address?
Yes, but it is not recommended. Using your home address means:
- Your personal details are permanently on the public record.
- You may receive unwanted visitors and junk mail.
- It can make your company look less professional.
How to change a registered office
- File online through Companies House WebFiling.
- Submit form AD01 by post.
- Or use a formation agent like Sleek to handle the update for you.
Need a more in-depth guide? Read our article on how to change your registered office address.
Jurisdiction rules
Your registered office fixes your company’s jurisdiction:
- England and Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
Once chosen, jurisdiction cannot be changed, even if you move addresses later.
2. What is a Director’s Service Address?
The service address (sometimes called a correspondence address) is required for every director, company secretary and person of significant control (PSC). It’s where official notices for individuals are sent.
Is the service address public?
Yes. It appears on Companies House records alongside officer details.
Can it be overseas?
Yes. Unlike the registered office, there is no requirement for it to be in the UK.
Can I use my home address?
You can, but it is not advisable. Using your home address exposes you to unsolicited contact and potential security risks.
How to change a service address
- Update through WebFiling.
- Or file form CH01 (director), CH03 (secretary), or PSC04 (PSC).
3. What is a Residential Address?
The residential address is the home address of every director and PSC.
Is it public?
No. It is private and only available to certain authorities such as HMRC, the police and credit reference agencies. It will only appear publicly if you also use it as your service address or registered office.
How to change it
- Update online through Companies House WebFiling.
- Or use form CH01 (director) or PSC04 (PSC).
Want to keep your home address off Companies House? We make it simple.
4. What is a SAIL (Single Alternative Inspection Location) Address?
A SAIL address is optional. It allows you to keep company records somewhere other than the registered office.
If you adopt one, it must be in the same UK jurisdiction as your registered office.
What records can be kept there?
- Register of members
- Register of directors
- Register of charges
- Copies of resolutions and agreements
How to register a SAIL address
- File form AD02 to notify Companies House.
- File form AD03 if you move records to or from the SAIL.
5. What is a Business/Trading Address?
This is not a Companies House requirement. Your business address is where customers, suppliers and banks contact you. It may also be shown on invoices and your website.
This does also mean you can run your limited company from home, but it’s worth considering the pros and cons of this approach.
Many online businesses use a virtual office as their business address to project a professional image while working remotely. Worth considering!
How to choose the perfect setup for your company address
Most companies keep things simple with this combination:
- Professional registered office to keep home details private.
- Professional service address for all directors and PSCs.
- Residential address provided to Companies House but kept off the public record.
Add a SAIL if you want to store records elsewhere, and use a trading address that makes sense for your business operations.
How Sleek helps with company addresses and protecting your privacy
Managing multiple company addresses can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re concerned about what appears on the Companies House public register. Using your home address may seem simple, but it exposes your personal details and risks unwanted contact.
Sleek removes that worry by providing:
- A London registered office service with secure digital mail forwarding.
- Director service addresses for all officers and PSCs.
- Business address options to present a professional image.
- Formation packages with all address requirements set up from day one.
Keep your home off the public record with Sleek’s professional company address services.
Protect your privacy and effortlessly set up your company addresses with Sleek.
FAQs about the different types of company address in the UK
What is a registered office address in the UK?
The registered office address is the official company address used by Companies House and HMRC. It must be in the same UK jurisdiction where the company is incorporated and is always shown on the public register.
What counts as official government mail?
Official government mail includes letters from Companies House, HMRC, and the courts. These must be sent to the registered office and read promptly by the company’s officers.
Can I use the registered office service as my director’s service address?
Yes. Sleek’s address services can be used as both your registered office and your director’s service address, keeping your home details off the Companies House public register.
Can the registered office address receive business-related mail?
The registered office is designed for official government mail only. If you want to receive customer, supplier, or bank correspondence, you should use a separate business address.
Why does forwarding business mail incur an additional charge?
Forwarding government mail is included in the registered office service. Business mail is separate and may incur extra handling and postage costs.
Is it more expensive to renew company address services each year?
No. Sleek’s address services are charged annually at a flat rate, so you can plan with confidence.
What are the three main types of company address I need?
Every UK limited company must provide a registered office, a service address for officers, and a residential address for identity checks.
Can I use my home as my registered office or service address?
Yes, but it is not recommended. Both addresses are shown on the public register, so using a professional service is the safer way to protect your privacy.
Can a director’s service address be overseas?
Yes. Unlike the registered office, a service address can be anywhere in the world.
