Last updated: 20 September 2026
Every company must have a registered office address. It is the company’s official address for Companies House, HMRC and other formal correspondence, and it appears on the public register.
For a company registered in Northern Ireland, the registered office must remain in Northern Ireland. The address must also be an appropriate address: documents delivered there should be expected to come to the attention of someone acting for the company, and delivery should be capable of being acknowledged.
What is a registered office?
A registered office is the statutory address of a company. It is the address shown on the Companies House register and the place where official company correspondence can be served. It does not have to be the same place as the company’s trading address.
What makes a registered office address appropriate?
The address must be a physical address in the company’s UK jurisdiction and must be suitable for receiving official documents. A PO Box on its own is not enough. Someone acting for the company should reasonably be expected to receive documents sent there and delivery should be capable of being acknowledged.
Can I use my home address?
You can use a home address if it meets the requirements, but the registered office is public information. If you would prefer not to publish your home address, our Belfast registered office service provides an address for Northern Ireland companies, with Companies House and HMRC mail forwarded to you.
What is the difference between a registered office and a service address?
The registered office belongs to the company. A director’s service address is the public correspondence address for that individual director. They can be the same address, but they serve different purposes.
Can a Northern Ireland company move its registered office to England?
No. A company registered in Northern Ireland must keep its registered office in Northern Ireland. The address itself can be changed within Northern Ireland by notifying Companies House.
How do I change a registered office address?
A company can change its registered office by notifying Companies House. For a limited company this is normally done using form AD01 or the equivalent online service. The change takes effect when Companies House registers it.
Belfast registered office service
If your company is registered in Northern Ireland and you need a suitable business address, our Belfast registered office service provides a statutory company address with Companies House and HMRC correspondence forwarded to you.
If you are forming a new company, you can also choose a company formation package with a Belfast registered office.
This article is for general information only and reflects the position at the date it was last updated. It does not constitute legal, tax, accounting or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Fees, rules and deadlines may change. You should seek advice from a suitably qualified professional before acting on anything covered here.