Blog, Formation

The Difference Between a Business/Trading Address and a Registered Office Address

Difference between a businesstrading address and a registered office address (2)
Difference between a businesstrading address and a registered office address (2)

By Annette McCarthy, 12th May 2022

An important part of company formation and ongoing compliance is knowing the difference between a business/trading address and a registered office address. This is paramount when setting up your company, as they both serve different purposes. Both addresses can be the same, but sometimes you may need to use two separate addresses.

Business/Trading Address

For an address to be classified as a business/trading address, it must be the premises where your company’s business is conducted. It is the location where the real activity is handled. This is the place where decisions are made regarding the company. This address may be your home address or the physical premises where your business is conducted, such as a commercial unit. The business address is not shown on public record, except on the incorporation of the company. The Irish Revenue Commissioners are more interested in this address, and Revenue should be kept up to date with regard to any changes to this address.

Registered Office Address

The registered office address can be anywhere in the Republic of Ireland and must be a physical location where An Post can deliver post; it cannot be a PO Box. It can be a home residential address. This is the address at which your company is registered at the Companies Registration Office (CRO). All CRO correspondence, formal legal notices and official mail are sent to the registered office address. This address is shown on public record. The registered office address is normally where a company’s register, seal and statutory documents are kept. It is paramount that the company’s registered address is kept up to date with the CRO.

How to Change a Company’s Registered Office Address and Can Company Bureau Assist?

Company Bureau offers an Irish Registered Office Service for €350 (plus VAT – where applicable) per annum. This service includes generating and filing the required documents to change the previously registered office address to ours with the CRO, drafting of minutes, the use of our city-centre location, receipt and acceptance of legal documentation, holding of statutory registers (if required), mail forwarding of business post/items of post received from the CRO and the Irish Revenue Commissioners and confirming receipt of couriered documents.

How to Order Company Bureau’s Registered Office Service

Please follow this link to quickly order our Registered Office Service on our website. This service is suitable for both new and existing Irish companies. If you have any queries about any of the information covered in this article, please do not hesitate to contact us or call +353 1 6461625.

 

Disclaimer This article is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Company Bureau for any action taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out in this article. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of this article. Any and all information is subject to change.

FAQ's

Yes, you can use your home address as your registered office, provided it is a physical location within the Republic of Ireland and capable of receiving post. However, this address will appear on the public CRO register, which may raise privacy concerns. For this reason, many company owners choose to use a professional registered office service to keep their residential address private while ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Yes, the registered office address is publicly available on the Companies Registration Office (CRO) register. Anyone can search for a company and see this address in its official record. Because it is public, this address will also appear on official documentation, such as company letterheads, invoices, and your website.
Yes, a company can change its registered office address at any time by filing the appropriate form with the CRO within 14 days of the address change. The new address must also be a physical location within Ireland where official documents can be delivered. It is important to notify the CRO promptly, as failure to maintain an accurate registered address can result in missed legal notices and potential compliance issues.
A registered office service offers several advantages, including privacy, professionalism, and compliance support. By using a service provider, you can keep your personal address off the public register while ensuring all official correspondence is handled securely. Our Registered Office Service also boosts your company’s credibility with a prestigious Dublin city centre location and ensures you never miss important legal documents or regulatory notices. Additionally, we provide document scanning, mail forwarding, and courier handling, saving you time and hassle.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable for your registered office and trading address to be different. Many companies choose this setup, particularly if their operations are based in one location while administrative or legal correspondence is handled elsewhere. This can be especially useful for businesses operating remotely, from home, or internationally, as it provides flexibility while remaining compliant with Irish company law.
Annette McCarthy

Company Secretarial Administrator