You can provide any address you like as long as it’s located in the same country where you set up your company and not a PO box. It can even be your home address; however, this is generally not a good idea for privacy reasons.
Below, 1st Formations, the UK’s leading company formation agent, shares its advice on why a registered office address service is more suitable.
1. Protect your privacy
Many companies start at home, and it’s common for entrepreneurs to work from home while they grow their businesses. So, when forming your company, you might think you have no other choice but to provide your residential address as the registered office address.
However, this information is publicly available on the Companies Houe register, meaning anyone can see it at any time. Therefore, to protect your personal privacy, we recommend using a registered office address service instead.
That way, your official post will arrive at a professional address rather than your home. Your service provider will normally scan and email it to you.
This is a far more secure option as it hides your home address from public view. This will avoid unwanted mail or visitors and protect your personal information if anything goes wrong with your business.
2. Prestige and professionalism
Another key benefit to using a registered office address service is prestige. Working from home doesn’t necessarily give off the most glamorous image, especially when you’re trying to attract investors, new customers, or clients.
However, with a registered office address service, no one will ever know that you don’t have a commercial office. Displaying a professional address will enhance your corporate image and make your business appear more trustworthy.
For example, with the 1st Formations registered address service, your registered office would be in the bustling Covent Garden area of central London, where commercial offices are expensive.
However, our service makes this impressive location much more attainable, especially for small businesses.
3. Comply with UK company law
There are a few legal requirements for choosing a registered office address. Firstly, section 86 of the Companies Act 2006 mandates that it should be an ‘appropriate address’. This is where:
- a document addressed to the company, and delivered there by hand or post, would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company, and
- the delivery of documents there is capable of being recorded by the obtaining of an acknowledgement of delivery.
Effectively, PO boxes are no longer an accepted form of registered office address. Your registered office address must be a physical address in the UK and in the same country (or jurisdiction) that you incorporate your company.
If you don’t have a professional address that meets this legal criteria, opting for a registered office address service is an easy way to stay compliant.
4. Beneficial for non-residents
While the registered office address of a UK-based company must be in the UK, you (its owner) can be based anywhere in the world. Therefore, a registered office address service is an excellent solution if you’re considering running a company from abroad.
There’s no need to travel to the UK to collect your company’s post or pay for a commercial office that you don’t intend to use regularly. Instead, opt for a good-quality registered office address provider who will receive your mail and forward it to you.
5. Flexible and reliable
Whether you’re on a business trip, stuck in a meeting, or tending to other areas of your business, choosing a registered office address service gives you peace of mind that someone is always available to collect your official post, even if you’re not around.
That way, you can focus on what matters, knowing that all your correspondence is received and processed efficiently, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
Summary
Partnering with a registered office address service makes running a compliant company in the UK much easier. You’ll keep your private information private, showcase a professional corporate image, and comply with UK regulations. It is flexible and reliable and makes it easier to run a business if you’re based overseas.
Do you need a registered office address service? Get in touch with the UK’s best company formation agent, 1st Formations. Their registered office address service package costs just £39 per year, and all your mail will be forwarded electronically free of charge. Give their support team a call at 020 3897 2233 or email info@1stformations.co.uk.
