Can You Use Your Home Address for a Limited Company in 2026?

A director or shareholder can use a home address for a limited company, but Companies House will publish that address on the public register unless you use a separate Registered Office Address service.

Can you use your home address for a limited company?

Yes, UK law permits directors and shareholders to give a residential address when registering a limited company, but Companies House will make this address publicly available unless an alternative registered office address is provided.

You may give a residential address as your service address for correspondence. Companies House requires a registered office address for the company itself. That registered office can be your home, a commercial premises, or a third-party service. The registered office is the official contact for statutory notices, and Companies House lists it on the public register.

Is a home address published on Companies House?

Yes, Companies House publishes the registered office address and the service address for directors on the public register unless a separate registered office address is used.

Companies House displays both the company’s registered office and, in many filings, the service addresses for officers. If a director uses a home address as their service address, Companies House will publish the service address unless the director gives a different service address. Publishing exposes personal location details to the public, media, and search engines.

Read our articles, The Privacy Risks of Using a Home Address on Companies House and Why Thousands of UK Businesses Use a Registered Office Address Service.

What privacy risks arise from using a home address?

Using a home address exposes occupants to unsolicited visits, targeted marketing, identity risk, and potential safety concerns because the address is accessible to anyone.

Public listing enables physical approach by creditors, bailiffs, or stalkers. It increases the chance of junk mail, doorstep sales, and data scraping by commercial brokers. Public addresses also assist social engineering and identity fraud when combined with other personal data.

How does a Registered Office Address service protect privacy?

A Registered Office Address service replaces the public company address with a different address, shielding the director’s home from the Companies House register and handling statutory mail on the company’s behalf.

These services accept official correspondence, scan or forward documents, and notify you of filings. They validate address use for Companies House and provide a commercial address that appears on the public register instead of a private residence.

What are the legal requirements for a registered office?

A registered office must be a physical address in the UK where statutory documents can be served and where company records are kept or made available for inspection.

The address must include a full postal address (no PO Box alone). The company must make its statutory records available at that address or state an alternative inspection location. Companies House uses the registered office for formal service of documents and as the official company contact.

Can directors use a different service address while keeping their home private?

Yes, directors can give a separate service address (often a business or agent address) for public filings while supplying a private residential address to Companies House privately for director identification.

Directors provide a service address for public use and a residential address for the register of directors’ usual addresses, which Companies House keeps but does not publish. When registering, confirm which address appears publicly and opt for a commercial service address to keep your home private.

When is a home address unavoidable?

A home address becomes unavoidable if you do not appoint a separate registered office address and you act as the company’s registered office or use your residence as the service address.

Sole traders and partnerships face similar exposure when using a home address for business. If you operate from home and accept public listing, ensure you understand the privacy trade-offs and consider additional security measures.

What are practical steps to protect your home address?

Use a registered office address service, register a separate service address for directors, and set up a business mail forwarding arrangement to control incoming correspondence.

Also register with the Mail Preference Service to reduce marketing mail. Use company stationery with the registered office address, and keep sensitive documents in secure storage. Consider a PO Box only for commercial mail where Companies House rules permit a full address elsewhere.

How much do Registered Office Address services typically cost?

Registered office services commonly cost between £30 and £150 per year, depending on mail handling, forwarding frequency, and additional compliance services.

Some providers include Companies House filing reminders, scanned mail, and director service addresses. Premium packages add same-day scanning or physical mail retention. Compare services for guaranteed UK physical presence and compliance features.

Which types of businesses benefit most from a Registered Office Address?

Micro-entities, sole directors, remote workers, and companies operating from residential properties benefit most from a registered office service because they face the highest privacy exposure.

Startups with founders living at the same address often prefer separation between public company records and private residences. Property-based businesses or firms dealing with sensitive clients also use commercial addresses to enhance credibility.

Explore our Registered Office Address guides,

Protect personal address UK 6 strategies directors use today 

Virtual office demand UK 7 trends among new business owners 

What compliance steps should you follow when switching addresses?

Notify Companies House of the registered office change using form AD01 for address change and update HMRC and any bank or regulatory registrations within 14 days.

File the change promptly to avoid missed statutory notices. Update your company stationery, website, and contracts to reflect the registered office. Keep proof of change communications for audit trails.

How does using a Registered Office Address help with business reputation?

A commercial registered office projects a professional image, separates personal and business life, and provides a stable public contact address for clients and regulators.

Using a City or town-centre address improves perceived credibility for B2B customers. It reduces the chance of mail inconsistencies and improves document handling, which supports timely compliance and statutory deadlines.

Using a home address is legally permitted, but it publicly exposes private details. Appointing a registered office address service replaces the public company address and secures your home from public records and uninvited contact. My Company Registration offers dedicated Registered Office Address services that accept statutory mail, forward documents promptly, and list a commercial address on Companies House to protect directors’ residences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a registered office address for a limited company?

A Registered Office Address is the official UK address where Companies House and HMRC send statutory notices and legal documents to your limited company. My Company Registration provides a compliant Registered Office Address service that accepts official mail and keeps your home address off the public register.

Can I use my home address as my registered office?

Yes, you can use your home address as a Registered Office Address if it’s in the same UK jurisdiction as your company, but Companies House will publish it publicly. My Company Registration offers a separate Registered Office Address to protect your privacy and maintain a professional public presence.

Is a registered office address public on Companies House?

Yes, the Registered Office Address is publicly visible on the Companies House online register for anyone to view. Using My Company Registration’s Registered Office Address service replaces your home or business address with a commercial one on the public record.

Can I use a PO Box as my registered office address?

No, a PO Box alone cannot be used as a Registered Office Address because it must be a physical UK address where legal documents can be served. My Company Registration provides a physical Registered Office Address that meets Companies House requirements and handles official correspondence securely.

How do I change my registered office address?

You change your Registered Office Address by filing form AD01 with Companies House, and the change typically takes effect within 24–48 hours. My Company Registration’s Registered Office Address service lets you switch quickly to a compliant commercial address while ensuring all statutory mail is processed promptly.