If you're a director of a UK limited company, your personal details are required by law to appear on the Companies House public register. Without the right protection in place, your home address could be visible to anyone who searches for your company online. A director service address is the solution — but who actually needs one, and is it right for you?
What Is a Director Service Address?
A director service address (also known as a service address) is a professional business address used by company directors in place of their personal home address on the public Companies House register. It is the address where Companies House and HMRC will send official correspondence on behalf of the director.
It is separate from your company's registered office address, which is the official address of the business itself.
Who Is Required to Provide a Service Address?
Under the Companies Act 2006, every director, secretary, and person with significant control (PSC) of a UK limited company must provide a service address to Companies House. This is a legal requirement — not optional.
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. Our Companies House Services can help you ensure your records are set up correctly from the start.
Who Benefits Most From a Director Service Address?
While all directors are required to provide a service address, certain individuals benefit most from using a professional one:
- Home-based business owners — if you run your business from home, a director service address keeps your residential address off the public register entirely
- Sole directors of limited companies — with no other directors to share administrative responsibilities, protecting your personal details is especially important
- Freelancers and contractors operating via a limited company — common in IT, consulting, and creative industries where personal privacy matters
- Directors with high public profiles — those who want to minimise the risk of unsolicited contact or unwanted visitors
- Non-UK resident directors — international directors of UK companies who need a compliant UK service address for Companies House purposes
What Correspondence Goes to a Director Service Address?
Official mail sent to your director service address typically includes:
- Letters from Companies House (e.g. confirmation statement reminders, filing notices)
- Correspondence from HMRC relating to the director personally
- Legal notices and statutory documents addressed to the director
Is a Director Service Address the Same as a Registered Office?
No — these are two distinct addresses with different purposes. Your registered office is the official address of the company and must be in the same country where the company is registered (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). Your director service address is personal to you as a director and can be anywhere in the UK.
Many directors use the same professional address provider for both, which simplifies administration and ensures consistency. See our Companies House Services for more on how we can support your compliance.
How Spectre Offices Can Help
Spectre Offices provides director service addresses at professional business locations across the UK. Our service includes:
- A professional UK business address for use on the Companies House register
- Mail handling and forwarding of official correspondence
- Full compliance with Companies House requirements
- Coverage across multiple UK cities
Whether you are forming a new company or looking to update your existing service address, Spectre Offices makes it straightforward to protect your personal details and maintain a professional presence.
Explore our Director Service Address packages →
Conclusion
If you are a director of a UK limited company, you are legally required to provide a service address — and using your home address puts your personal details on public record. A professional director service address from Spectre Offices gives you privacy, compliance, and peace of mind.
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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