How to Register Your Business Name and Address: A Simple Guide for UK Small Businesses

Starting your own business? With the thrill of turning your passion into a profitable venture comes the need to sort out some formalities, including registering your business name and address. 

Whether you're crafting handmade goods from your kitchen table or setting up a tech startup, it's crucial to get these details right.

To help you get started, we’ll walk you through why and how to officially register your company name and address in the UK. This isn’t just about ticking off a legal requirement; it’s about laying a professional foundation for your brand and setting the stage for your business’s future growth. 

What is a business name?

In the simplest terms, a business name is the name under which your business operates and is known to the public, government, and other entities. It’s distinct from your personal name, even if you’re a sole trader, and can vary from your legal corporate name if you are a limited company.

A business name is the first impression you make on potential customers and is a critical part of your brand identity. It's how you will be known to the world, so choosing the right name is as strategic as it is creative. 

What’s the difference between a brand name and a trading name?

Your business might operate under multiple names for different parts of your operation. 

A ‘brand name’ is used in marketing and sales contexts to represent a specific product line or service your company offers. 

A ‘trading name’ is what you trade under for commercial purposes. It can be different from your registered business name but must not include 'limited', 'Ltd', 'limited liability partnership', or 'LLP' unless it’s a registered company.

How to choose a business name

Selecting the right business name takes a careful blend of creative thinking and strategic planning. After all, it’s what your customers will know you as – at their first introduction to your business and every touchpoint after.

Here are some tips on how to choose your business name:

1. Brainstorm ideas – Start by brainstorming ideas that reflect the nature of your business, its values, and what makes it unique. Consider your target audience and what kind of name might appeal to them. The name should be memorable, easy to pronounce, and give an idea of what your business does.
   
   
2. Check for uniqueness – Once you have a list of potential names, you need to check if they’re unique – or have already been taken by another business. To do this, you can use Companies House’s company name availability checker to make sure your chosen name isn't already registered by another company.
   
   
3. Consider your web domain – For most, setting up a website for customers to view your products and services online will be part and parcel of growing your business. That’s why you might also want to check if the domain name for your chosen business name is available. Ideally, you want a domain name that matches your business name to avoid confusion and support your online marketing efforts.
   
   
4. Think about future-proofing – A company name is for now and the future, so choose something that won’t limit your business as it grows. For example, don’t pick a name that could restrict your business to a particular product or region unless you are sure you won’t expand into new areas or lines.

Legal considerations when picking a business name

We’ve touched on checking if another business has already registered your chosen business name, but there are a few other legal considerations to think about too.

• Sensitivity – Your business name cannot imply that it’s connected with government or official bodies without the appropriate permissions. Words like ‘Royal’, ‘Institute’, or ‘Government’ might require additional proof or permission to use. You can find the full list of sensitive words that will need approval from the Secretary of State if you want to use them in your business name here.
• Misleading nature – Your business name must not mislead the public about your activities, as outlined in the Companies Act 2006. For instance, using the term ‘bank’ in your name without being a financial institution can be legally problematic.
• Trademark protection – Your business name, or a part of it, should be trademarked to protect your brand identity from being used by others. You can use the Intellectual Property Office Trade Mark checker to see if your company name has already been registered as a trademark.

What is a business address?

A business address is more than just a physical location; it’s the official point of contact for all important communications. It’s where government bodies, like Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), send legal documents, tax information, and compliance notices. 

Plus, your business address appears on public records, making it accessible to customers, suppliers, and investors who may need to verify your business’s legitimacy or contact you for official purposes. 

Your business address is also where legal documents regarding any proceedings against your company are served.

Registered office address vs trading address vs virtual office address

Where it can get a little bit confusing are the different types of business addresses. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Registered Office Address — A registered office address is a legal requirement for limited companies and LLPs. It must be a physical address in the same country where your company is registered (e.g, England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland).
• Trading Address — This is where your business activities take place. It can be different from your registered office address, especially if your business operates in multiple locations or from a non-office environment, like a warehouse.
• Virtual Office Address — Many businesses opt for a virtual office address for official documents and public records, which provides a level of privacy and professionalism without the need for physical office space.

How to get a business address

Here are some considerations to help you choose the most suitable business address for your needs:

1. Think about your business type and needs – The nature of your business can give you an idea of what kind of address you should use. If your business is dependent on clients or customers visiting you in person, a physical office or retail space makes sense. However, if you primarily operate online, a virtual office might be a better option.
2. Consider privacy and security – If you’re a startup or small business operating out of your spare room, using your home address as your business address could help cut costs. However, this means your home address will be publicly available on your business filings. Using a virtual office or a registered office service can provide an address for public records without exposing your personal information.
3. Legal jurisdiction – Your business address determines the legal jurisdiction under which your business operates. For example, if your business is registered in Scotland, you are subject to Scottish law, which can differ from English law, like differences in contract terms or property rights.  
4. Business rates – Business rates are a tax on properties used for business purposes, and rates can vary depending on the location. For instance, a business operating in central London will likely face higher business rates than one in a rural area because of the higher value of property in the city. You can learn more about business rates here. 

How to register a business name and address

Once you've chosen the perfect business name and have picked an address, the next step is to officially formalise your business in the UK. Here’s how to register with Companies House. 

1. Gather all the necessary information

Before starting the registration process, gather all the required information and have it ready. This includes:

• Details about you and any other business owners (e.g, passport numbers, National Insurance numbers, mother’s maiden name, town of birth, telephone number)
• Your business address
• The type of company you are registering (is it a sole trader, limited company, or something else)

Collecting this upfront saves you from realising you’re missing something essential midway through the process.

2. Check the name and address availability

Name: checking that no other business has registered your chosen name is crucial, and if you haven’t already done so, this is the perfect time before you get any further.

Use the company name availability checker and make sure your chosen name is not already in use. This step is crucial to avoid legal issues and rebranding later on down the line.

Address: if you are establishing a limited company or LLP, ensure the business address you want to register meets the legal requirements for a registered office. It must be a physical address in the UK within the country your business is registered (e.g., England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

3. Register with Companies House

If you are setting up a limited company or LLP, you need to register your business and its name and address with Companies House, which is the UK’s official Department for Business and Trade that handles company registrations.

This can be done online, by post, or through an agent. You'll need to fill out the appropriate forms and provide your business details, including your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, which describes the nature of your business.

4. Pay the registration fee

There’s a fee to use the registration service, which is paid to Companies House. It usually costs more to register your business via post than online. 

You can find out what the current registration fee is here.

5. Wait for confirmation

Once your registration is complete, you’ll receive a certificate of incorporation. This is proof that your company legally exists and shows:

• your company’s unique registration number 
• your company’s business name
• the date of incorporation
• the Registrar’s seal

6. Register the name as a trademark 

As we’ve touched on before, you might also want to protect your business name as a trademark. This is separate from business registration and offers protection against others using your brand name. 

It’s not essential, but you can apply for a trademark via the gov.uk website here.

7. Keep your details up to date

After your business name is registered, it is important to keep your details up to date, like your company’s office address. 

Notify Companies House via their online service or by post of any changes to your business structure, director details, or registered address. If Companies House approves of the changes, they’ll automatically update HMRC as well.

Do I have to register my business?

Whether you have to register with Companies House depends on the structure of your business.

Sole traders and ordinary partnerships don't have to register with Companies House; they only need to register for Self-Assessment with HMRC to handle their tax obligations. 

However, limited companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) must register with Companies House, which recognises them as separate legal entities and provides limited liability protection. This registration is essential for opening business bank accounts, securing loans, and qualifying for government contracts. It also protects the business name from being used by others in the same jurisdiction.

Why register your business name and address?

Registering your business name and address might seem like just another item on your startup checklist, but it’s actually a smart move that packs a big punch for your business’s credibility and legal standing. Here’s why it’s more than just a formality:

• Legal protection – Registering your business name officially keeps others from snagging it and using it for themselves. This protects your brand’s identity and ensures no one else can operate under your name. Having a registered business address means that Companies House and HMRC can contact you for official communications, so you don’t miss out on any crucial information.
• Boosts credibility – Having a registered name and a proper business address makes you look the part. It tells customers, suppliers, and investors that you’re the real deal, serious about your business, and operating above board. It’s all about building trust and credibility.
• You could be eligible to pay less tax – Owners of limited companies are subject to corporation tax, with rates ranging from 19-25% depending on your business’s profit. Meanwhile, sole traders pay personal tax rates of between 20-45% based on profits (correct as of January 2025). If you want to know more about sole trader tax or work out how much your next tax bill will be, you can use our handy sole trader tax calculator.
• Future options for growth – As your business expands, a strong, protected brand name is a valuable asset that opens doors — think franchising or eventually selling your business at a premium. 
• You’ll have limited liability – If you’re registered as a limited company, your business will be a separate legal entity from you, and you’ll receive ‘limited liability’. This essentially means that you won’t be responsible for any financial loss incurred by your business.
• You’ll have the option of selling equity - Limited companies are divided up into shares, which gives you the option to sell shares in your business to raise funds. 

Frequently asked questions

How much will it cost me to register my business name and address? 

The cost to register your business with Companies House varies depending on how you want to register.

Standard online registration costs £50 and your company will usually be registered within 24 hours. By post, the fee is £71, and postal applications can take between 8-10 days (correct as of January 2025).

Can I register my business if I don’t have dedicated office space? 

Yep, you can still register if you don’t have an office space. Many small businesses and startups use their home address or opt for a virtual office. A virtual office can provide a business address for registration and mail handling services without needing a physical space.

Who’ll have access to my business address? 

Your registered business address will be on public record, which means it’s accessible to anyone who wants to check your company details through Companies House. This includes clients, suppliers, banks, and essentially anyone else interested in your business.

Can I change my registered business address? 

Absolutely. If you move your business or decide to switch from using your home address to a virtual office, you can update your registered address with Companies House online or by post. 

Keeping this information up-to-date is vital to ensure you receive all statutory correspondence and legal documents.

Can I own a company name? 

To own a company name, you need to register it with Companies House when you form your company. Once registered, the name is yours legally as long as your company exists or until you decide to change it.  

Can I use a PO box as a legal address in the UK?

In the UK, you cannot use a PO box as your registered office address or as the sole address for your company. You must provide a physical address in the same part of the UK where your company is registered (e.g, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). 

However, you can use a PO box for general business correspondence if you also provide a physical address for official communications.

Can I register a business at my home address? 

Yes, you can use your home address as your business’s registered address if you operate from home. This is a common practice for many small business owners and sole traders, but be aware that this address will be publicly accessible via Companies House records.

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