Compliance & Privacy

What Is a Director’s Service Address?

A service address is the official correspondence address for a company director, used by Companies House and made publicly visible.

Key characteristics:

• It must be a real UK address (not a PO Box)
• It may be the same as the registered office or a separate address
• It is where statutory correspondence is sent
• It is published on the public register

It can be different from the director’s residential address, which remains private if a valid service address is provided.

Why Use a Service Address?

Using a service address allows directors to:

• Protect their home address from public view
• Maintain privacy from clients, suppliers, or the general public
• Avoid unwanted mail or identity risk
• Present a more professional image

Dragonfly Associates offers secure service address options with mail handling and scanning included where applicable.

Legal Requirements

To be valid, a service address must:

• Be located in the UK (or in the same jurisdiction as the company)
• Be capable of receiving official mail
• Not be a PO Box without a physical location
• Be accessible for document delivery by Companies House or HMRC

Failure to maintain a valid service address may lead to Companies House publishing the director’s residential address by default.

We help directors ensure their address meets all legal requirements.

How to Set or Change a Service Address

To update a director’s service address:

1. File form CH01 with Companies House
2. Ensure the new address is valid and active
3. Update the company’s internal records and statutory registers

Dragonfly Associates submits CH01 forms and provides address management for directors under our compliance and privacy packages.

Service Address vs Residential Address

Frequently Asked Questions

Protect Your Privacy Without Compromising Compliance

Your public-facing director address doesn’t have to be your home. A service address offers a practical and legal way to maintain privacy while remaining compliant.

Dragonfly Associates provides director service addresses, CH01 filings, and secure mail handling through our registered office and privacy services—available under defined service plans.

To set up or update your director’s service address today, contact our team.

What Is a Registered Office Address?

The registered office address is:

• The official location of your company as recorded at Companies House
• Where legal documents and notices are delivered
• Publicly visible on the Companies House register
• Required by law for all UK companies and LLPs

It must be a real UK address (not a PO box) and be located in the same part of the UK where your company was incorporated (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland).

When Should You Change It?

You may want to update your registered office if:

• You move physical offices
• You no longer wish to use your home address
• You appoint a new address service provider
• You restructure your company administration

Dragonfly Associates offers registered office services and helps clients update their details where applicable.

How to Change Your Registered Office

Changing the registered office is simple if you follow the correct steps:

1. Decide on your new address
2. Ensure it meets legal requirements (real UK address, same jurisdiction)
3. Obtain board approval (if necessary)
4. File the change with Companies House using form AD01

Once accepted, Companies House updates your public record.
We handle AD01 filings on behalf of clients under our compliance and registered office service plans.

What Else Needs Updating?

After changing your registered office, you should also:

• Update your company website and email footers
• Inform HMRC and other regulatory bodies
• Update bank records and insurance providers
• Notify your accountant or solicitor

We provide a checklist to ensure all affected parties are informed after the address change.

Using a Registered Office Service

Many directors prefer not to use their home address as the registered office. Instead, they use a commercial address or provider for:

• Privacy (your home address remains private)
• Professional image (e.g. central London location)
• Reliable mail handling and forwarding

Dragonfly Associates offers registered office services to eligible clients under agreement, including secure mail scanning or forwarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Your Company Records Up to Date

Keeping your registered office current ensures your company remains compliant and receives official correspondence promptly. Whether you’re relocating or seeking more privacy, the process is straightforward with expert support.