Virtual Office vs Registered Office: Key Differences Explained

Learn the difference between a virtual office and a registered office, and which one your UK company needs for legal compliance, privacy, and professionalism.

Hugo Cannon

June 11, 2025

Introduction

If you're setting up a UK company, you'll quickly run into two similar-sounding terms: virtual office and registered office. While they may overlap, they serve very different purposes—and choosing the right one (or both) can impact your privacy, legal status, and brand.

This article breaks down the differences, when to use each, and how to stay compliant with Companies House.

What Is a Registered Office?

A registered office address is the official legal address of your company. It must be a real UK address and is required for all limited companies and LLPs.

Key Points:

It’s listed publicly on Companies House
Used by HMRC and legal authorities to send official correspondence
Must be in the same country your company is incorporated (e.g., England & Wales)
Cannot be a PO Box

You must have a registered office to operate legally in the UK.

What Is a Virtual Office?

A virtual office is a broader service that includes a professional address (often used as a registered office), along with mail handling, phone services, and sometimes meeting rooms.

Key Features:

Business address for marketing materials
Mail forwarding or scanning
Director's service address (optional)
Company registration services (with some providers)

A virtual office can be used as your registered office—but not all providers are compliant.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Registered Office	Virtual Office
Legally Required?	✅ Yes	❌ No
Listed on Companies House?	✅ Yes	❌ Only if used as registered office
Mail Handling?	⚠️ Not always included	✅ Yes
Phone or Reception Services?	❌ No	✅ Often included
Can be used for Director’s Address?	⚠️ Sometimes	✅ Often included
Physical Office Space?	❌ No	❌ No

Which One Do You Need?

You need a registered office if:

You're incorporating a UK company
You want to receive legal or tax documents

You should consider a virtual office if:

You want to protect your home address
You want a prestigious London presence
You need help managing mail and admin
You want additional business support features

Many founders use both, especially when offered together in one plan.

Can a Virtual Office Be a Registered Office?

Yes—as long as:

The provider allows legal registration
They meet Companies House requirements
You submit a valid ID and proof of address for KYC

Real-World Example

Let’s say you’re launching a startup from home in Manchester, but you want a London business address. You can:

Use a virtual office provider in London
Make that address your registered office and director service address
Set up mail forwarding to your real location

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between a virtual office and a registered office helps you stay compliant, protect your privacy, and present a more professional image.