How Can You Change Your Address at Companies House?

Ryan Patrick

• 9 min read
How Can You Change Your Address at Companies House?

When forming a company, you must submit multiple addresses to the registrar of companies. With time, you should change these addresses for reasons that are known to you. What is the process of updating your company address at the Companies House?

You need to know the different addresses Companies House holds and how to change them.

In the business, you can change your registered office address anytime. However, the new address must remain within the same area of the UK where your company is registered (Scotland, England and Wales, or Northern Ireland). Let's keep going!

Things You Should Know Before You Start Changing Your Address

You may have to inform Companies House of the changes you need to make in your Limited Company like;

  • Directors or company secretaries like fresh appointments, resignations or an update to personal details.
  • Company name
  • Registered office address
  • Accounting reference date
  • Provide an update on your 'people with significant control' (PSC).
  • Changes to your company's share structure, like if there's a new issuing of shares.
  • Information of any new mortgages or those it has paid off.

What Will I Need for the Process of Changing My Company Address?

Since you're ready to make changes to your Limited Company, here's what you'll need:

  • Use the same email address and password you used to register your company at the Companies House.
  • An authentication code Companies House will send you.

Register online and create a password if this is your first time using the service. Companies House will send you an authentication code to your registered office address.

Once the Companies House changes your address, the new address will be official.

After registration, your company name will change, and Companies House will send you a certificate bearing your new company Title and the registration date.

Another alternative way to apply for changes is through filing software if you have multiple changes. You can also find the form you need, send it to the address on it, and then file the changes by post.

How to Change Your Address at Companies House Online

Changing your registered office address is straightforward, and you can do it online. You'll not pay any fee to update your registered office address, but you need a valid email address and your authentication code for verification. Here is an easy and quick procedure to follow.

  1. Go to the Companies House service page
  2. Locate the updated company information page.
  3. Find your company.
  4. Tap the 'file for this company' icon and follow the onscreen guidelines.
  5. Type in your new building name, number and postcode. Please enter the address manually or find it online.
  6. Consent to your changes.

You'll receive a confirmation email in a few minutes to the email you provided. However, the change will not be effective until Companies House registers it. Ensure you update the new address on other documents like;

  • Your company website
  • Order forms
  • Business cards
  • Receipts

NOTE: Although changing your office address is easy, the previous address you registered with the company will remain in the public register. It's public as long as the company exists and two decades after it is dissolved.

Form your company with Incorpuk today

At Incorpuk, we will help you file accurate information when you register your company through us. We will help you with incorporation articles, a registered office address, and all you may need to register your company in the UK. Contact our team if you seek any information; we will gladly assist.

Addresses That Might Need Changing at Companies House

Now that you know how to change your registered company address, here are the types of addresses the registrar holds.

Office Address

A registered office address is your official address for your Limited company at Companies House.

The registered office address is used in official company mail, documents, and correspondence. It's displayed on all company websites, stationery, and email footers.

Your company's registered office address is displayed on the public register. If there are any changes, you must inform Companies House within 14 days.

Company Directors' Correspondence Address

Each company director's correspondence address (service address) is held on the public register. If this address changes, it must be updated at Companies House.

After your residential address changes, only specific public authorities like the police can access it.

Using your home address for both purposes means the address will be on the public register.

You can use other alternatives to avoid displaying your home address on the register. These addresses can also serve the same purpose.

  • Your accountant
  • Business adviser
  • Registered office address

But, before using them, ensure you have the concerned party's consent. Plus, they must be reachable at the address you provide.

Many companies can only have a director's correspondence address for a fee if representatives are viable for you.

Directors' Home Address

Like the directors' correspondence addresses, every company director must submit their full home address to Companies House. It's held at a public register but is only used for official purposes and can't be viewed by the general public. If the home address changes, you must inform the Companies House immediately so that records are updated.

SAIL

Besides the registered office address, some companies use a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL).

A SAIL address is used for statutory records if the company wants to keep the business location separate from the registered office address. These addresses are retained on the public register.

Who Else Must Supply Correspondence Address?

Company directors must provide this information about them.

  • Name
  • Nationality
  • Occupation
  • Date of birth

These details will appear on the register, and others who take up positions in the company must supply a contact address. These people include:

  • Shareholders or guarantors
  • Company secretaries
  • People with Significant Control

Use an alternative address for correspondence and a registered address if you do not want your private address to appear on the register.

The Rules of Changing a Registered Office Address

Once you inform the Companies House within 14 days of a change to a registered office, the new address must be in the exact UK location where it was incorporated. Changing a registered office address from one jurisdiction to another is prohibited.

Can my Home Address Be My Registered Office Address?

The new address must be a physical address when changing your registered office address.

Within 14 days of notifying and applying for a new address at Companies House, you can still receive mail at the previously registered office address. Inform all parties relevant to the company, such as clients.

Is Privacy Reason Enough to Change Address at Companies House?

The addresses you provide during your company's registration are public and can be viewed by anyone.

After the company's formation, one of the company's directors may provide their home address.

Later, the company may change the address at the Companies House. Depending on the type of business, removing your home address from the public register for privacy reasons is a good idea.

Why Companies House Must Know You're Moving

Running a UK company is based on transparency and open communication.

For this reason, the Companies House requires a person of significant control to provide all the important information.

Businesses must inform the Companies House of relevant information primarily because of corporate transparency and to counter economic crime.

This relevant information includes a change of address or new business activities. Thus, after registering your company in the UK, it's imperative to disclose relevant information about every shareholder, director, and PSC.

The information becomes part of the UK Register of Companies and is displayed on public record, meaning it's freely accessible online via Companies House.

When it's a legal requirement like credit purposes or public authority, Companies House will provide home addresses of business owners to the police or other legal entities.

NOTE: When you form a company, Companies House requires you to provide two addresses: your regular home address and your service address.

Don't worry about your home address being on public record since only your business service address will be available. Unless your residential address appears as a service address, it remains on a private register.

Remove Your Home Address From Public Record Companies House

A sole director working from home needs a commercial physical address to register their business. So, what's the solution in this scenario? Here, you can use a professional address service from a third-party vendor. They provide a company and its directors with an authentic geographical address. A reputable Company Formation offers these professional address services:

  • Registered office address service – companies without brick-and-mortar premises can use this service to receive official mail.
  • Directors' service address – Instead of company directors using their home address as correspondence address, a third-party service is viable. The director can use the address provided as the statutory correspondence address to receive official government mail and other documents.

Changes that ShareHolders Must Approve

A company with more than one director has a way of making changes. All shareholders must vote for the following changes to take place.

  • Change of the company name
  • When removing a director
  • A change in the company of the association

As commonly referred to, an "passing a resolution vote needs a majority to agree (ordinary resolution). A 75% majority vote is known as a "special resolution."

Consult Companies House for details about the changes and resolutions you must report.

Shareholder Voting

When working out a majority vote, the number of shares gives a shareholder the right to vote, not the number of shareholders. They don't need to meet to pass a resolution.

But with the correct number of shareholders who agree with the resolution, the shareholders don't have to meet. The decision can be communicated through writing.

Exemption From Companies House Public Record

Companies House can't remove your Home address from the company register if it's used as the registered office address.

However, in some circumstances, directors and PSCs can request Companies House to remove it when it's used as a service address. You can also request withholding of this information from credit reference agencies, apply for these exemptions separately, and pay the fee.

Go to the GOV.UK website, download form SR01, and request for exemption of your home address from public records by Companies House. The service will cost you £55.00, which you can pay by postal or cheque.

NOTE: Depending on the nature of your business, you can ask Companies House to withhold your address from credit agencies due to potential risks. You must provide supporting documents of threat or evidence, like a police incident number, to prove your business harms you.

Expected UK Changes in the Company Law

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act was passed on October 26 2023. It gives Companies House more power to tackle economic crime and support economic growth.

This significant role is a measure that will boost transparency, accuracy, and trust in registers. The changes will bring new responsibilities for:

  • New and existing company directors
  • People with Significant Control in a company (PSCs)
  • Anyone who files on behalf of a company

The first set of changes will be introduced on March 4, 2024. Here's what will change for you and your company. Know these changes in time so you can act at the right time.

  • Improve data quality on the register - Effective March 4, the Companies House will have more power to ask more questions on the information provided, thoroughly check company names, implement new rules on registered addresses and create recent legal statements.
  • Confirmation statement - Changes in registered email address and confirmation that the company will have legal dealings in the future.
  • Increment in Companies House charges - From May 1, new charges will be considered for new future expenditures to ensure all costs are recovered from existing spending.
  • Identity authentication - Any person setting up, owning, running, or controlling a company in the UK will have to verify their identity.
  • Accounts - A transition on filing accounts by software only. There will also be changes to small company accounts' filing options.
  • Protection of personal information - Historical documents will no longer threaten individuals as they can apply to suppress their personal information. They can also be used for the protection of personal information from the public view.
  • Limited partnerships - They must file their details through authorised agents and more information with Companies House.
  • Improve transparency of company ownership - There are new requirements to provide additional shareholder information and limitations on corporate directors' use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Companies House in the UK?

Companies House is a regulating body for Business and Trade. It’s where owners incorporate, register, and dissolve limited companies. The agency keeps company information and makes it accessible to the public.

Can I correct accounts after submitting them to Companies House?

You can correct accounts after submitting them to Companies House, but the original accounts remain on file. Send a note with the account you want to be changed to Companies House and ensure a director signs it and keeps a copy of the original accounts.

Must all UK Companies be registered with Companies House?

All private limited and public companies must be registered at Companies House.

Can a non-resident own a UK company?

Yes, a non-resident can form and own a UK company. The Companies House only requires you to provide a UK-registered office address. Non-residents can use a friend’s or family member’s address. Alternatively, non-residents can also use a virtual office address.

The Bottom Line

You can change your company's registered address at Companies House whenever there's a new development in your company. It can be a new director, a director leaving the company by demise or resignation, or relocation to another place. However, after relocation, the business must remain within the same area of the UK where it was registered (Wales and England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). It's essential to make these changes on time and always furnish the Companies House with the correct information. Note that upcoming changes in UK Company Law will affect you and your business, and it's critical to know about them. Have a question on how you can change your company's address? Kindly contact Incorpuk for help on how to go about it.