What is a Director Service Address?
A director service address (also known as a service address) is the official address listed at Companies House for a company director, secretary, or person with significant control (PSC). It is the address where official correspondence from Companies House and HMRC will be sent to that individual.
Unlike the registered office address, which belongs to the company, the director service address is personal to the individual director or officer.
Is a Director Service Address a Legal Requirement?
Yes. Under the Companies Act 2006, every director and PSC of a UK limited company must provide a service address that is publicly listed on the Companies House register. This is separate from your usual residential address, which can be kept private (known as your "usual residential address" or URA).
If you do not provide a separate service address, Companies House will use your residential address by default, making it publicly visible on the register.
Key Benefits of a Director Service Address
- Privacy — your home address stays off the public register
- Professionalism — a prestigious business address enhances your company's credibility
- Security — reduces the risk of unsolicited mail or visits to your home
- Compliance — meets the legal requirement for a UK service address under the Companies Act 2006
- Flexibility — ideal for home-based businesses, freelancers, and remote workers
How Does a Director Service Address Protect You?
Keeps Your Home Address Private
Your service address is publicly visible on the Companies House register, but your home address does not have to be. By using a professional service address, you keep your personal residential address off the public record.
Reduces Unwanted Contact
Without a service address, your home address would be accessible to anyone who searches the Companies House register. This could lead to unsolicited mail, cold calls, or even unwanted visitors. A professional service address acts as a buffer between your personal life and your business activities.
Protects Against Identity Fraud
Having your home address publicly listed increases your exposure to identity fraud. Using a professional service address reduces this risk significantly — an important consideration for any director whose personal details would otherwise be freely searchable online.
What Address Can Be Used as a Director Service Address?
The address must be a physical UK address — PO boxes are not accepted by Companies House. Many directors use a professional business address service, such as those offered by Spectre Offices, which provides addresses in prime UK locations.
Director Service Address vs Registered Office Address
These are two different things. A registered office address is the official address of the company itself, where legal documents are served. A director service address is specific to the individual director. A company can have both — and they can be the same address or different ones. Many businesses choose to use a professional address service for both to ensure full privacy protection.
Can I Use the Same Address for Both?
Yes. Many directors use the same professional address as both their registered office and their director service address. Spectre Offices customers commonly do this, using one of our UK business addresses for both purposes.
How to Change Your Director Service Address
If you are already incorporated and want to update your service address, you can do so by filing a CH01 form with Companies House. When incorporating a new company, simply provide your chosen service address during the registration process.
How to Get a Director Service Address
You can use a professional business address provider like Spectre Offices. We offer director service addresses across multiple UK cities, with mail forwarding and scanning included, so you never miss important correspondence.
Explore our Director Service Address packages and protect your privacy today.
Spectre Offices provides address and administrative support only. We do not provide legal, tax, accountancy or financial advice. Clients remain responsible for ensuring their company records are accurate and up to date.
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