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:
- File form CH01 with Companies House
- Ensure the new address is valid and active
- 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
| Feature | Service Address | Residential Address |
|---|---|---|
| Appears on public record? | Yes | No (if service address is valid) |
| Used for legal mail? | Yes | No (unless service address is invalid) |
| Can it be a commercial provider? | Yes | No (must be the director’s real home) |
| Is it legally required? | Yes | Yes (but kept private by default) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the company’s registered office as my service address?
Yes, as long as it meets the service address criteria. Many directors do this for simplicity.
Do I still need to provide my residential address?
Yes, but it will be kept private unless your service address becomes invalid.
Can Dragonfly Associates act as my service address?
Yes. We offer secure service addresses for directors and PSCs, with optional mail scanning and forwarding—subject to agreement.
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.
