One of the questions we’re asked most often is whether it’s safe to use a home address when setting up a limited company. It’s a small decision that can have a big privacy impact later.
For many directors, using a home address might seem like the simplest option. But once your company is registered, certain addresses become publicly available through Companies House. Many people assume only government departments can see this information. They’re often surprised to discover that anyone can search Companies House online.
Over the years we’ve spoken to countless directors who assumed their home address would stay private. It’s often only when they search for their own company online that they realise anyone can see it. That’s exactly why we offer Registered Office and Service Address services at Duport. They help keep your home address off the public register while giving your company a professional business address. Duport has been helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses for more than 20 years, providing company formation services, support and business guidance throughout the journey.
What Is a Registered Office Address?
Every UK limited company must have a registered office address. This doesn’t have to be your workplace or home, it simply needs to be an address where official post can be received.
This is the official address used by Companies House, HMRC and other official bodies when sending statutory correspondence. It also appears on the public Companies House register, meaning anyone can search for and view it.
If you operate your business from home, using your residential address as your registered office means your personal address becomes publicly visible, for example, a freelance designer working from a spare room could have their home address shown when someone looks up their company.
Instead of displaying your home address on Companies House records, you can use a dedicated business address for official company correspondence.
What Is a Service Address?
A Service Address is different from a Registered Office Address.
Directors, company secretaries and certain company officers are required to provide an address for the public register. This address is known as a service address.
Many directors simply use their home address by default, which then appears on the public register.
Using a Service Address allows directors to keep their residential address private while remaining compliant with Companies House requirements.
Do I Need Both?
It’s a question we’re asked regularly. The answer depends on whether you’re happy for your home address to appear on the public register.
A Registered Office Address and a Service Address serve different purposes. The Registered Office Address is your company’s official address for receiving statutory mail, while a Service Address is used for directors’ details on the Companies House register.
Many directors choose both services. This means neither their company’s official address nor their personal residential address needs to appear publicly. For home-based businesses, it’s often the simplest way to maintain a clear separation between business and personal life.
Why Privacy Matters
We often speak to directors who assume their home address will remain private, only to discover it’s visible through Companies House records.
When a home address appears on the public register, it can be accessed by:
- Potential customers
- Competitors
- Marketing companies
- Data aggregators
- Members of the public
For directors working from home, this can blur the line between personal and professional life.
Using a Registered Office Address and Service Address helps maintain that separation while reducing unwanted correspondence and protecting personal information.
Build a More Professional Business Presence
There are practical benefits too.
While few customers choose a business purely because of its address, suppliers, lenders and larger organisations often look up company details before working with a business. A professional address can help create a stronger first impression.
Whether you’re a consultant, contractor, online retailer or start-up founder, a professional address can help reinforce trust and strengthen your company’s image.
Ideal for Home-Based Businesses
Thousands of UK businesses are run successfully from home. Whether it’s a spare bedroom, garage or kitchen table, working from home has become a normal way to start a business.
Video meetings, high-speed broadband and digital payment systems mean many businesses can now operate without dedicated office space. However, just because you work from home doesn’t mean your home address needs to appear on public records.
A Registered Office Address and Service Address provide a simple and cost-effective solution, allowing you to enjoy the flexibility of home working while protecting your personal information.
Why Choose Duport?
When people come to us, they’re often looking for more than a company formation service. They want clear answers and practical help, especially when it comes to avoiding mistakes that are easy to make when you’re setting up a company. That’s something we’ve been doing for over 20 years. We’ve seen first-hand how often new directors overlook address privacy because they’re focused on choosing a company name or opening a business bank account.
Protect Your Privacy Today
If you’re forming a new company or looking to improve the way your existing company appears on the public register, a Registered Office Address and Service Address can provide valuable protection and peace of mind.
Once your home address appears on the public register, removing it completely isn’t always straightforward. Getting the address right from the start is one of those small decisions that can save unnecessary issues later on.
