What Is a Service Address?
A service address is the official correspondence address for a company director, company secretary, or Person with Significant Control (PSC). It is:
- Publicly listed on the Companies House register
- Used for receiving statutory mail from Companies House and HMRC
- Legally required for all directors of UK companies
The service address can be different from your residential address, and it can be anywhere in the UK—or even abroad, in certain cases.
Why Use a Service Address?
By default, Companies House requires you to list an address for each director and PSC. If you use your home address, it becomes part of the public record.
Using a professional service address instead:
- Protects your personal privacy
- Reduces unsolicited mail or security concerns
- Projects a more professional public image
- Keeps your home address confidential (except in rare cases involving law enforcement)
Dragonfly Associates provides service address solutions to eligible clients as part of our formation and compliance services, subject to contract.
Legal Requirements for a Service Address
Your service address must:
- Be a real, physical address (not a PO Box)
- Be able to receive official mail
- Be active and accessible by the recipient
Failure to maintain a valid service address can lead to director disqualification or compliance notices from Companies House.
We ensure that addresses we provide meet all legal criteria and offer reliable mail forwarding where applicable.
Who Needs a Service Address?
- Directors of limited companies
- Company secretaries (if appointed)
- Shareholders who are also PSCs (Persons with Significant Control)
This applies to both UK-based and non-resident directors. If you’re running your business remotely or wish to avoid public exposure, using a separate service address is strongly recommended.
What’s the Difference Between Registered Office and Service Address?
- The registered office is the official address of the company itself.
- The service address is for individuals (e.g., directors, PSCs).
Both addresses are required and appear on the public register, but they serve different functions.
Dragonfly Associates offers both services—registered office for the company and service address for individual officers—where agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same address for both registered office and service address?
Yes, provided the address meets the legal criteria for both. We offer bundled packages for this purpose.
Will my home address still be visible?
No. If you use a separate service address, your home address remains private unless requested by a public authority or court.
Can I change my service address later?
Yes. You must file a change with Companies House, which we can manage on your behalf under our compliance support plans.
Keep Your Personal Details Private
Being a company director shouldn’t mean sacrificing your privacy. With a legally compliant service address, you maintain transparency where required—without exposing your personal home address to the public.
Dragonfly Associates provides director service addresses as part of our business setup and compliance services. These are available to both UK and non-UK residents under clearly defined agreements.
To include a service address in your company formation or switch from a public home listing, contact our team today.
