Can I Use a Virtual Office as a Registered Address?

The short answer: yes — with an important caveat.

Last updated: 22 September 2026 · Reading time: 5 minutes

1. What Companies House actually requires

Under the Companies Act 2006, every UK company must have a registered office: an address where statutory communications and legal documents can be delivered and are recorded. The rules (sections 86 and 87 of the Act) require that it is a physical address. Companies House states it must be "a location where, if a document is delivered to that address, it will reach the company" — and, importantly, "must not be a PO Box."

The key rule

A virtual office address is acceptable for a registered office as long as it is an actual physical premises where mail is received — which is exactly what our Woolwich SE18 office is.

2. The "occupier" question for overseas companies

For UK-incorporated companies, using a virtual registered office is straightforward: you appoint the address, and our team handles your statutory mail. For overseas companies (opening a UK establishment), Companies House additionally requires a person at the address who is authorised to accept service. As a UK mail-handling provider, we can act as that point of contact — but check with a formation agent if your situation is complex.

3. What a virtual registered office can and can't be used for

Understanding the boundaries keeps you compliant:

Perfectly fine

  • • Registered office address (Companies House)
  • • Directors' service address
  • • PSC & shareholder addresses
  • • General business correspondence & invoices
  • • Receiving statutory mail & legal documents

Not appropriate

  • • Trading "operating address" if you trade from a shop/office elsewhere (different rules apply)
  • • Business rates / VAT registration where occupancy matters (check HMRC)
  • • Claiming a physical presence you don't have for banking or licences

4. Why it's a smart choice for small businesses

Thousands of UK businesses — from consultants and tradespeople to e-commerce sellers — use a virtual registered office. It keeps your home address off the public register, gives you a credible London presence, and typically costs far less than a lease. You can also add mail scanning and a meeting room for the days you need face-to-face time.

Use our Companies House-ready SE18 address.

Registered office, service address & mail handling from £12.99/month.

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Need the full step-by-step?

Walk through the incorporation process with our guide to registering a limited company with a virtual address, or compare your options in virtual office vs serviced office vs coworking.