Registered Office Address
Business InformationMerranti

How to Change Your Company’s Registered Office Address (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re running a limited company in the UK and need to change your registered office address, it’s important to know the process and stay compliant. Moving offices doesn’t automatically update your company’s official details—there’s a specific procedure to follow.

This guide walks you through everything you need to do when changing your company’s registered office, including how to update Companies House, inform key stakeholders, and keep your records straight.

What Is a Registered Office Address?

Your registered office address is your company’s official address, where:

  • Companies House and HMRC send official correspondence
  • Legal notices are served
  • Statutory records may be kept (unless you use a SAIL address)

Your registered office address must be a real, physical address in the UK jurisdiction where the company is incorporated (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). It can’t be a PO Box alone, although DX addresses are sometimes acceptable.

Why Change Your Registered Office Address?

Common reasons include:

  • You’re moving premises
  • You’ve changed your accountant or company secretary
  • You’re switching to a virtual office address for privacy or convenience
  • Your registered office service provider has changed

Step-By-Step Guide to Changing Your Registered Office Address

Hold a Board Meeting (Optional but Good Practice)

While not legally required, it’s good corporate governance to record a board resolution approving the address change.
You should keep a written record in your board minutes confirming:

  • The decision to change the registered office
  • The new address
  • The date the change takes effect

File Form AD01 with Companies House (Mandatory!)

This is the official step to make the change legal.

Form Name: AD01 – Change of Registered Office Address

Deadline: File within 14 days of the move

How to File:

  • Online via Companies House Web
  • Filing  Or by sending a paper form (not recommended unless necessary)

Once filed, Companies House typically updates your company record within 24 hours.

Ensure the New Address Is Valid

The new registered office address must:

  • Be a physical location (no PO Boxes alone)
  • Be located in the same jurisdiction
  • Be somewhere you can receive important mail and legal notices

Someone must be able to acknowledge delivery of documents.

Inform HMRC and Other Key Stakeholders

Changing your registered office at Companies House doesn’t notify HMRC automatically. You’ll need to inform HMRC separately if you:

  • Are registered for Corporation Tax
  • Run PAYE or VAT schemes
  • Have any other HMRC interactions

Also notify:

  • Your bank
  • Accountants
  • Suppliers and service providers
  • Clients/customers
  • Insurers
  • Any professional bodies you’re registered with

Update Your Company Stationery and Online Presence

By law, you must display your registered office address on:

  • Your website
  • Emails and footers
  • Business letters and invoices
  • Any formal correspondence

This is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006.

Update Your Statutory Company Records

You must update your statutory records, including:

  • Register of Directors
  • Register of Members
  • PSC Register
  • Location of records (if you’re not using a SAIL address)

If you keep records at a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) instead, and you’re changing that address too, you’ll need to file Form AD02 at Companies House.

What Happens If You Don’t Notify Companies House?

Failing to notify Companies House of a registered office change can lead to:

  • Missing important mail (including legal notices and fines)
  • Potential penalties for failing to keep company records up to date
  • Companies House striking off your company from the register if they can’t contact you

Quick Example

Jack Ltd moves its registered office from 123 High Street, London to 456 New Road, London on 1 May 2025.

Here’s what Jack Ltd does:

  • Holds a board meeting and passes a resolution
  • Files Form AD01 the same day via WebFiling
  • Informs HMRC and updates their accountant and clients
  • Changes the address on its website, invoices, and emails
  • Updates the statutory registers and issues a new Confirmation Statement (if due)

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

  • File Form AD01 at Companies House within 14 days
  • Make sure the new address is in the same UK jurisdiction
  • Notify HMRC and other stakeholders
  • Update your website and company stationery
  • Keep accurate statutory records
  • Good governance? Pass a board resolution

Need Help Changing Your Company Address?

If you need help filing the forms or drafting your board resolution, get in touch!
We can provide:

  • Board resolution templates
  • Step-by-step filing support
  • Guidance on informing HMRC and other agencies

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