How to change a UK company’s registered office address

Changing a company’s registered office is one of the simplest updates you can make with Companies House, and it’s also one of the most important. The registered office is your company’s official home in the eyes of the law, and every limited company must have one at all times.

If you’ve moved premises, want to stop using your home address, or are switching to a professional registered office service, the process is straightforward once you know what’s required.

When should you change your company’s registered office address?

Every limited company must keep its registered office accurate and up to date. There’s no restriction on how often you can change it, but Companies House must be notified within 14 days each time you move. Most updates happen for one of the following reasons.

Moving to a new office or home

If your business relocates – whether to larger premises, a co-working space, or even your home – your registered office often needs to move with it. This ensures that official mail from Companies House, HMRC, and other authorities continues to reach you on time, avoiding missed deadlines or compliance issues.

Using a professional address instead of your own

Many directors decide to separate their personal and company details. Since your registered office is publicly listed on the Companies House register, switching to a professional business address service helps protect your privacy while maintaining credibility.

It also ensures all statutory post is received and forwarded promptly, even if you’re away or working remotely.

Appointing a formation agent or mail-forwarding service

Some companies choose to have their registered office managed by a trusted formation agent or compliance provider. This setup provides a stable, monitored address where all official correspondence is handled securely, offering a simple and compliant solution for non-UK residents or remote-first teams that don’t maintain a permanent UK office.

Together, these reasons reflect a simple rule: whenever your business setup changes, whether physically, operationally, or administratively, review your registered office. Ensuring it’s accurate keeps you compliant and means that you’ll never miss an important communication.

Step-by-step: how to change your registered office address

Updating your registered office with Companies House is quick and free of charge. You can file online using WebFiling, or send a paper AD01 form by post. (Online is strongly recommended: it’s processed much more quickly.)

1. Log in to Companies House WebFiling

Go to Companies House WebFiling and sign in using your email address and password. If you haven’t used the portal before, you’ll need to create an account.

2. Locate your company and prepare details

Once signed in, choose ‘Change a registered office address’ and enter your company number. You’ll also need your authentication code, which is your company’s online filing password.

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If you’ve lost or never received your code, you can request a new one from Companies House. It will be sent by post to the current registered office, so make sure someone there can access the mail.

3. Submit form AD01

Enter the new registered office address exactly as it should appear, including postcode. Double-check that it’s a valid physical address in the same jurisdiction your company was incorporated in:

• England & Wales
• Scotland
• or Northern Ireland

Click submit. There’s no fee, and you’ll receive an on-screen confirmation once filed.

4. Wait for confirmation (and know your deadline)

Companies House usually updates online filings within 24 hours. You’ll receive a confirmation email once it has been accepted.

Legally, you must notify Companies House within 14 days of moving. The new address only becomes official when the filing is registered, not when you start using it, so keep checking until the change appears on your public record.

5. Notify HMRC and update your own records

Companies House automatically shares the new address with HMRC, but it’s still worth logging in to your tax accounts to confirm it’s updated correctly. After that, review anywhere else your address appears:

• Company website and email signatures
• Invoices, quotes, and contracts
• Stationery, order forms, and receipts
• Banking details, insurers, pension providers, and suppliers

A quick audit prevents confusion and keeps your compliance airtight.

Restrictions and things to keep in mind

Changing your registered office is straightforward, but there are a few key legal requirements to consider before filing.

PO Boxes are not permitted

Since March 2024, new Companies House rules require every registered office to be an ‘appropriate address’, meaning mail sent there must reach someone authorised to both receive it and acknowledge delivery. A simple PO Box no longer qualifies.

Your new address must stay within your company’s UK jurisdiction

Your company’s jurisdiction is fixed at incorporation. That means an English or Welsh company must always have an address in England or Wales, a Scottish company must stay in Scotland, and a Northern Irish company must remain in Northern Ireland.

If you’re moving between these parts of the UK, you’ll need to re-incorporate a new company rather than simply update the address.

It must be a physical, monitored address

Your registered office must be a real, accessible location where official post can always be received and acknowledged. This ensures Companies House, HMRC, and other authorities can contact your company when needed.

The easiest way to stay compliant is to use a registered office address service, which provides a monitored, fully approved address for your company’s legal mail. It ensures your home details remain private, prevents missed correspondence, and meets Companies House’s new ‘appropriate address’ standard without adding extra admin.

What else should you update after changing your address?

Once Companies House confirms your new registered office, your work isn’t quite finished. The update only covers the public record, so you’ll still need to review your own systems and ensure that every organisation that relies on your contact details has the correct information. Doing this early prevents missed correspondence, delays, or compliance slips later.

Bank accounts, supplier records, and tax agents

Start with your key financial and professional contacts. Let your bank, insurers, accountant, and tax agent know about the change immediately so that statements, renewals, and authorisations reach the right place.

While Companies House automatically notifies HMRC, it’s still worth signing in to your online tax accounts for VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax to check that all your records show the new address correctly.

Invoice headers, websites, and business directories

Next, update the places your address appears publicly. The Companies Act requires your registered office to be clearly shown on your:

• Website (typically in the footer)
• Order forms and receipts
• Business letters and invoices
• Emails, stationery, and promotional materials

It’s also worth checking online listings such as Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, and any industry directories or marketplaces you use, so customers and suppliers can find you without confusion.

HMRC, pension providers, and regulators

Although HMRC is informed automatically, related services (like pension schemes, payroll providers, and industry regulators) won’t update without your intervention, so you’ll need to change each one manually. A quick cross-check with these organisations ensures you don’t miss important correspondence such as payment notices, reminders, or compliance updates.

Keeping your company details up to date

Changing a registered office address is a small task with a big impact. It keeps your company visible to regulators, reachable by post, and aligned with legal requirements, all of which contribute to smoother, steadier operations.

While you can manage this from your own premises, many companies find that using a registered office address service offers a more straightforward, reliable setup.

1st Formations‘ registered office address service keeps your home address off the public record, ensures you receive and forward official mail without delay, and automatically meets Companies House’s new requirement for an ‘appropriate address’. It provides a professional, fully compliant base for your company. Better still, it saves you time, protects your privacy, and helps you stay organised as your business grows.