Changing the address of your registered office is an important process for any business. This is because your registered office address is the official address of your business, and it is used by the government, legal authorities, and other organizations to communicate with you. Therefore, it is essential to keep your registered office address up to date.
How to Change the Address of your Registered Office
Check the Company’s Articles of Association
Before changing the address of your registered office, it is essential to check your company’s Articles of Association to ensure that the proposed change is allowed. The Articles of Association are the legal documents that set out the rules for the management and administration of your company. If the Articles of Association do not allow for a change of registered office address, you will need to amend them before proceeding.
Hold a Board Meeting
Once you have confirmed that a change of registered office address is allowed, you need to hold a board meeting to approve the change. The board meeting should be attended by all directors of the company and should be minuted. The minutes should state that the directors have approved the change of registered office address.
Notify Companies House
The next step is to notify Companies House of the change of registered office address. You can do this by completing the appropriate form and submitting it to Companies House. The form you need to complete depends on whether you are changing the registered office address within the same UK country or to a different UK country. If you are changing the registered office address to a different UK country, you will need to provide evidence of the new address.
Update Your Website and Stationery
Once you have notified Companies House of the change of registered office address, you need to update your website and stationery to reflect the new address. This includes your company letterheads, business cards, and any other marketing materials that feature your registered office address.
Inform Other Relevant Organizations
You also need to inform other relevant organizations of the change of registered office address. This includes your bank, HM Revenue & Customs, and any other organizations that you have contracts with.
Update Any Licenses and Permits
If your business holds any licenses or permits, you will need to update them with the new registered office address. Failure to do so could result in your licenses or permits being invalidated.
You may also need to notify your shareholders of the change of registered office address. This is because your registered office address is used by shareholders to communicate with you, and they need to be informed of any changes.
Change of Address Service
If you are concerned about missing important mail during the transition to the new registered office address, you can use a change of address service. This service will forward any mail sent to your old registered office address to your new address for a specified period.
Keep Accurate Records
It is important to keep accurate records of the change in registered office of company. This includes copies of the form submitted to Companies House, the minutes of the board meeting, and any correspondence with other organizations.
In conclusion, changing the address of your registered office is a straightforward process, but it is important to follow the correct procedures to ensure that the change is legal and valid. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can change your registered office address with minimal disruption to your business operations. Remember to keep accurate records of the change and inform all relevant organizations to avoid any issues.