This article is for Irish business owners and startup founders who are deciding whether to use their home address as their company's registered office.
If you're concerned about privacy risks, legal requirements, or whether you need a professional registered office service, this guide covers what documents get served to your registered office, the privacy implications of using your home address, and how virtual office services work as an alternative.
Key Takeaways
• Your registered office address becomes permanently public on the CRO register, exposing your home to anyone searching for €3.
• Documents served at your registered office are legally valid even if uncollected, meaning court proceedings can advance without your knowledge.
• Using your rented home as a registered office likely breaches your tenancy agreement and requires explicit written landlord permission.
• You must file Form B10 within 14 days of changing your registered office address or face potential penalties.
• Virtual office services (€99-€500 annually) keep your home address private while ensuring all legal correspondence is properly handled.
Laura Ryan is a practising Barrister at the Bar of Ireland. She graduated from the Honourable Society of King’s Inns in 2024, having previously qualified and practised as a Chartered Accountant in a big four accounting firm.
Can I use my home address as my company's registered office?
Yes, you can legally use your home address as your registered office, but this creates significant privacy risks. Your home address will appear on the public register where anyone can find it for a few euros, and you may receive unexpected visits from process servers or others seeking the company.
Will my registered office address be publicly available?
Yes, your registered office address is published on the public register maintained by the Companies Registration Office and appears on your certificate of incorporation, annual returns, and various CRO filings. There is no way to keep this address private once you incorporate a company.
What types of documents will be delivered to my registered office?
Your registered office receives all official correspondence including court proceedings, Revenue notices about tax matters, CRO correspondence about annual returns and compliance, and statutory demands for payment. The Companies Act 2014 establishes that service of documents at the registered office constitutes valid legal service on your company.
What happens if I don't collect documents sent to my registered office?
Documents are deemed properly served even if no one actually collects them, meaning you remain legally responsible whether or not you receive them. Court proceedings can advance to judgment, tax assessments can become final, and your company can be struck off for failing to respond to correspondence you never actually saw.
Do I need my landlord's permission to use my rented home as a registered office?
Most residential tenancy agreements prohibit business use without the landlord's explicit written consent, and using your rented home as a registered office likely constitutes business use. Proceeding without permission could breach your tenancy agreement and provide grounds for eviction, so check your lease carefully and obtain written consent.
Can I use a virtual office as my registered office instead of my home?
Yes, virtual office providers offer registered office services where you use their business address and they scan and forward your correspondence, typically for €99 to €500 annually. The provider must have physical premises where documents can be served during business hours, and their address appears on the public register instead of your home address.
How do I change my registered office address?
You must file Form B10 with the CRO within 14 days of changing your registered office address. Pass a directors' resolution approving the change, complete Form B10 with both addresses and the change date, file it with any required fee, and notify banks, Revenue, and other stakeholders of the change.
Can I use a PO Box as my registered office?
No, post office boxes cannot serve as registered office addresses under Irish company law. Your registered office must be a physical address in Ireland where documents can be delivered during normal business hours.
