Have you ever thought about changing the address for your company’s official correspondence? This is a relatively simple process. But UK limited companies must comply with legal requirements.
If you are looking for how to change registered office address, the first step is to inform Companies House. You can submit the change online through the Companies House service or by mail using form AD01. The new address does not become your company’s official registered office until Companies House registers the change. Additionally, documents can still be validly served at the previous registered office for 14 days after registration.
Keep in mind that there is a significant distinction between your registered office address, which Companies House maintains, and other addresses. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) may hold other addresses for Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE, and other tax services.
This guide covers how to change registered office address, including how the process works, how much it costs, and when you need to update HMRC separately.
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What is a Registered Office Address in the UK?
Before diving into how to change registered office address, you first need to know what it is. The registered office address is mandatory for all UK limited companies, and it is the official address for receiving statutory correspondence and legal documents. That is why it is important to understand your registered office address:
- It is publicly accessible on the Companies House register
- Companies House records it if you change it
Is Registered Office Address Different From Other Addresses?
Yes. To answer your question, ” How to change registered office address?, remember that a registered office address is distinct from other addresses. It is distinct from a director’s residential address, a director’s service address, the trading address, and any correspondence address held by HMRC.
It is also distinct from a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL), an optional location where specific company records may be stored for inspection. Even though some of these addresses may be identical, they serve distinct legal and administrative objectives.
What is SAIL?
A Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) is a separate, optional address where a company may maintain specific statutory records for inspection, rather than keeping them at its registered office.
What Are the Rules for a Registered Office Address in 2026?
When understanding how to change registered office address, it is helpful to know what the rules are. In 2026, UK company regulations require a registered office to be an “appropriate address” at all times. It must be a physical address in the same part of the UK where the company is registered: England and Wales, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, as applicable. This allows you to receive official documents and communications at this address, and you should also verify that you have the legal right to use it.
Most importantly, Companies House does not require evidence of ownership for a standard registered office change. However, you must have the legal right to use the address, and your lease, tenancy agreement, or service contract may limit the property’s use as a registered office. A company’s registered office must be a physical, appropriate address that meets Companies House requirements. You cannot use a Royal Mail PO Box or equivalent PO Box service as the registered office exclusively.
Can You Use Your Home Address?
Yes. If your home meets Companies House requirements, you may use it as your registered office. However, that address is publicly accessible through the Companies House register. If you want to maintain the privacy of your home address, you may use a third-party address, such as that of your accountants, solicitor, or registered office service provider, with their consent.
How to Change Registered Office Address with Companies House?
Companies can change their registered office address, provided the new address is in the same region of the UK as the company’s incorporation and meets Companies House’s criteria for an appropriate address.
Typically, changing a registered office address is straightforward and can be completed online through Companies House without a filing fee. You will need your company authentication code, and the change will not take effect until Companies House registers the new address. Let’s understand how to change registered office address step by step:
Check the Internal Governance Arrangements
Verify whether the modification requires approval in accordance with your company’s articles or internal governance rules. However, many company directors have the authority to authorise a new registered office address.
Provide Company Information
The most important step in how to change registered office address is to access the Find and update company information service. Search for your company by name or company number, then open your company record, and select “File for this company.” Subsequently, follow the instructions and use your company authentication code to enter and submit the new registered office address.
Submit Form AD01
To notify Companies House of the change in the registered office address, submit form AD01. If you submit the paper form AD01, you must provide the company’s new registered office address. This includes the building name or number, street, and postcode.
Update Your Business Details
Another important step in how to change registered office address is updating your company details. Update your website, business stationery, bank records, and other pertinent business records after Companies House registers the new address. Companies House informs HMRC of the registered office change. However, you may still need to update HMRC separately if other business or correspondence addresses have changed.
Do I Need To Tell HMRC When I Change Address?
When learning how to change registered office address, it is important to know when you need to tell HMRC about changing the address. If you are only changing your company’s registered office address, you should not assume that you need to make a separate notification simply to repeat the same change. Companies House automatically shares company information with other government departments, including HMRC.
However, your registered office address is not necessarily the same address HMRC holds for tax correspondence, VAT, PAYE or other business records. If any of those addresses have also changed, you should update the relevant HMRC records separately.
Therefore, after changing your registered office, check your HMRC records to make sure the correct correspondence and business addresses are recorded.
How Long Does It Take To Change Registered Office Address?
Changing your registered office address online is usually quick to submit. However, the new address does not become effective until Companies House registers the change. You must inform Companies House of the change within 14 days of it occurring.
Remember that the 14-day period is the deadline for reporting the change, not the time it takes for the new address to take effect. The new registered office address is effective only after Companies House registers the notice, and processing time may vary based on workload. Once Companies House registers the change, the new address becomes the company’s registered office.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Registered Office Address?
When exploring how to change registered office address, it is important to know that there is no fee when changing directly through Companies House. Yes, you read it right. Changing a company’s registered office address directly through Companies House is free. Updating an address online via form AD01 incurs no statutory filing fee. At the same time, costs apply only if you engage a third party, such as a registered office address provider or accountant, to manage the paperwork or lease a business address.
How Do I Change My Registered Address With HMRC?
Companies often wonder how to change registered office address with HMRC and assume it follows the same process as changing the registered office address with Companies House. This is not the case.
Once your company’s registered office address is changed and registered with Companies House, Companies House will notify HMRC of the change. However, you should review your HMRC records to ensure that any business details, correspondence, or trading details are current.
If these details have also changed, you may need to update them separately with HMRC so that important tax correspondence reaches the correct address.
Get Expert Support With How to Change Registered Office Address
Changing the registered office address may be straightforward. However, getting the details right matters. That’s where many companies run into trouble. At Limited Company Accountants, our accountants can help you update Companies House accurately and review any relevant HMRC or business records. We also ensure your company details remain accurate and compliant.
Contact our team today for expert support with your company’s ongoing compliance and address change.
Whether you’re just forming your company or already knee-deep in paperwork, our London-based accountants are ready to jump in. One quick call and we’ll figure out what you actually need.
The Bottom Line
Understanding how to change registered office address in the UK can help your company receive official correspondence and remain compliant. The whole process of changing the registered office address is simple. It starts by selecting an appropriate address, submitting the correct notification to Companies House, and reviewing any relevant HMRC or business records that may require updating. Keeping these details accurate helps you avoid administrative complications, missed notices, and unnecessary compliance issues.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Always consult with a professional accountant to ensure compliance with UK laws and regulations.
