Legal Address for UK Business: What You Need to Know

When you register a company in the UK, you need a legal address for UK business, a physical location where official government mail is sent and where your company is officially registered. Also known as a registered office address, it’s not just a box you check on a form—it’s a legal requirement under Companies House rules. Without one, you can’t form a limited company, open a business bank account, or receive legal notices from HMRC or courts.

This address must be a real, physical location in the UK—no PO boxes or virtual mailboxes count. It can be your home, a rented office, or even a professional service provider’s address, but it has to be accessible during normal business hours. Many startups use their home address to save money, but that means your personal details become public. Others hire a registered agent to handle mail and forward important documents, keeping their personal life separate from business operations. Either way, the registered office address, the official address listed with Companies House for legal and tax purposes must match what’s on file, and changing it isn’t as simple as updating your website.

It’s not just about compliance. Your business address requirements, the legal and practical standards for where a company can be registered and operate in the UK affect how customers and partners see you. A London address gives you instant credibility if you’re targeting UK clients, even if you work remotely from Manchester. It also matters for local SEO—Google uses your registered address to determine where your business operates, which impacts your visibility in local searches. And if you’re exporting or applying for grants, you’ll need to prove you have a real UK presence.

Some people think they can use a friend’s address or a coworking space without permission. That’s risky. If Companies House or HMRC sends a letter there and it’s returned, you could face fines or even be struck off the register. You also need to update your address within 14 days of moving—no exceptions. And if you’re using a third-party service, make sure they’re clear about what they’ll actually do: forward mail? Handle legal notices? Provide a physical presence? Don’t assume. Read the fine print.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from UK businesses that have navigated this exact issue. From how to choose the right address without overspending, to what happens when you move offices, to how to avoid common registration mistakes—these posts cut through the noise. No fluff. Just what works.