Should you use your home address as your company's registered office?
Last updated · General guidance, not legal or tax advice
You can use your home as your registered office if it is an appropriate address, but it will then be shown on the public Companies House register, which anyone can search for free. Your home address may also appear in the company's filing history permanently.
Using a separate registered office and director service address keeps your home address off the public parts of the register. Your residential address is still given to Companies House, but it is kept private.
Which addresses are public?
| Address | Who gives it | Public? |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office | The company | Yes |
| Director service address | Each director | Yes |
| Director residential address | Each director | No — held privately by Companies House |
| PSC service address | Each person with significant control | Yes |
What are the downsides of using home?
- Your home address is searchable alongside your name
- It may appear on old filings even after you change it
- Unsolicited callers, marketing and post may arrive at your home
- Some tenancy agreements, mortgages or leases restrict business use
If your home address is already on the register, Companies House offers ways to apply to remove it from some older documents; fees and conditions apply. See our guide to hiding your home address.
What changes if you use a provider?
Official post goes to the provider instead of your home, and you need to rely on them to tell you about it promptly. Choose one that scans or notifies you quickly — missing a Companies House or HMRC letter can lead to penalties. See what happens if you miss Companies House post.
In short
Your home can be your registered office, but then it is public on the Companies House register and may stay in your filing history. A separate registered office and director service address keep your home off the public record, while your residential address is held privately by Companies House. The trade-off is relying on the provider to pass on official post promptly, so pick one with fast notifications.
Frequently asked questions
Is my residential address public if I use a service address?
No. Your residential address is given to Companies House but is not shown on the public register.
Does Registered Address Essex include a director service address?
Yes, for all directors, within the £10/month or £100/year price.
Sources and official guidance
This guide is general information about UK rules as at 3 October 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice.