Registered Office Address Requirements in Hong Kong in 2025

When incorporating a company in Hong Kong, one of the first compliance boxes you’ll need to tick is providing a registered office address. It sounds straightforward at first, but actually, this requirement often raises key questions for entrepreneurs and overseas founders alike. 

For example, can you list your home address? Is a P.O. box allowed? What kind of documentation is needed? And how does the registered office differ from the address where you actually run your business?

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about registered office addresses in Hong Kong: what the law requires, which types of addresses are acceptable, how to change your address if needed, and what to consider when choosing the right one for your business. 

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for meeting this requirement, and practical solutions if you don’t have an office of your own. 

What is a Registered Office Address?

A registered office address is the official legal address of your Hong Kong company that serves as the primary communication hub between your business and the Hong Kong government. Think of it as your company's permanent postal address on file with all government authorities,  regardless of where your business actually operates day-to-day.

Your registered office address receives critical documents such as tax notices from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), legal documents and court papers, official communications from the Companies Registry, compliance notices, regulatory updates, annual return reminders and other statutory notifications.

As mandated by the Companies Ordinance Chapter 622, section 658, the registered office address is a legal requirement that affects your company's standing, not just an administrative detail.  In essence, your company cannot legally operate in Hong Kong without a registered office address.

Requirements for a Registered Office Address in Hong Kong

Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, companies must meet specific requirements for maintaining a registered office address throughout their business operations.

For this reason, the registered office address must:

• Be a physical office location in Hong Kong 
• Be accessible during normal business hours, as government officers from the Companies Registry have the right to visit to verify compliance (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Not be a P.O. Box, virtual mailbox, or any non-physical location

Display Requirements

At the registered office address, companies are legally required to display the full company name in legible characters where visitors can easily see it and show the company’s liability status, such as “Limited” or “Ltd.” The signage must be clearly visible and professionally presented. These display requirements also apply to every business location where the company operates, not just the registered office.

For Private Limited Companies in Hong Kong, the registered office address appears on key official documents:

• Business Registration Certificate (BR): Issued by the Inland Revenue Department at incorporation and renewed annually, this document includes your company name, Business Registration Number (BRN), and registered address.
• Annual Return: Filed with the Companies Registry, it shows your company’s current registered address and internal structure. Any changes, like a new address, must be reported and updated promptly.
• Official Letterheads: While not a legal filing, it’s standard practice to include the registered office address on company letterheads and formal business documents for transparency and consistency.

When choosing a registered office address in Hong Kong, the key requirement is that it must be a physical address located within the territory. While there’s flexibility in the type of premises you can use, the address must still meet compliance standards and be suitable for receiving official correspondence during business hours.

Acceptable types of addresses include:

• Commercial office buildings: The most common choice for companies with a dedicated business location. Ideal if your operations require a physical office space for staff, meetings, or day-to-day activities.
• Business centres or coworking spaces: These can be used if you have written permission to register the address. Many virtual office providers also fall into this category, offering address services without the need to rent a full office.
• Company secretary or corporate service provider addresses: Often included as part of company formation or secretarial service packages, this is a popular option for foreign-owned businesses or those without local premises.
• Registered address service providers: These companies specialise in offering compliant Hong Kong addresses for registration purposes. They ensure your mail and official documents are received and appropriately forwarded, often with optional document handling or scanning services. Many providers offer cost-effective packages that bundle the registered office address with annual compliance and incorporation services, making them particularly attractive for newly formed businesses.
• Residential address: In some cases, a home address may be used as the registered office, provided it complies with building regulations and tenancy agreements, and is deemed appropriate for business registration use by the Companies Registry.

In Hong Kong, it’s common for a company to use one address for legal purposes and another for its daily business operations. As the name suggests, the registered address is the official location recorded with the government, while the business address is where the company actually carries out its activities.

You can change your registered address when you move offices, switch service providers, or restructure your operations, but you must notify the Companies Registry within one month to stay compliant. 

The company must first pass a board resolution approving the address change, then submit a written notification including the Hong Kong company's business registration number, business name, both old and new addresses, and the date of the change.

You'll need to submit these documents to ensure legal compliance and maintain uninterrupted business operations:

• Director's Resolution – Internal document signed by all directors, formally approving the registered office address change and authorising specific individuals to complete the necessary filings ( must be completed before the address change).
• Form NR1 – Submit to the Companies Registry to update the address of the registered office. This can be filed online via the e-Registry or the CR eFiling mobile app ( 15 days). Failure to do so may result in level 5 fine.

When submitting Form NR1, you can request the one-stop notification service, which automatically informs the Inland Revenue Department on your behalf, eliminating the need to separately file Form IRC3111A.

• Form IRC3111A – Submit to the Business Registration Office to notify the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of the change ( within one month).
• Address verification – Proof of new address (tenancy agreement, utility bill, or property document).
• Bank notification forms – Contact your bank to obtain required forms, as failure to update may result in important correspondence being sent to your old address.
• POS 800 form – Hong Kong Post's mail redirection service to forward mail from your previous address. Submit at any post office with fees varying by redirection period (3-12 months available).

Once the forms are submitted, the Business Registration Office will issue an updated Business Registration Certificate showing your new address. In most cases, the certificate is sent by post on the next working day following the change.

Beyond the mandatory government filings, you should inform relevant contacts of your change of address to avoid business disruptions. This includes banks where you hold business bank accounts, insurance agencies, clients, suppliers and service providers. Updating them ensures important documents like invoices, notices, or banking correspondence are sent to the correct address.

When choosing a registered office address in Hong Kong, the key is to balance compliance with your company’s practical needs. The right address will depend on how you operate, the image you want to project, and the level of support you require. Consider these factors before making a decision:

• Compliance Eligibility: The address must be a physical location in Hong Kong and acceptable to the Companies Registry. Confirm whether your intended address (residential, commercial, or service provider) meets these legal requirements.
• Cost vs. Necessity: Renting an office is often unnecessary for SMEs or overseas founders. If you don’t need a day-to-day workspace, a registered office service can provide a compliant address at a fraction of the cost.
• Privacy Concerns: Using a residential address puts your personal details on public record. If privacy matters, a separate professional address through a provider may be the safer choice.
• Business Credibility: A central business district address can strengthen your company’s professional image, especially when dealing with investors, clients, or partners who may review your public records.
• Support Services: Beyond the address itself, check whether the provider offers reliable mail handling, forwarding, and compliance reminders. Poor support can cause you to miss urgent government notices and risk penalties.

A registered office address is just one of the essentials for starting and maintaining a business in Hong Kong. For entrepreneurs who want a simple setup and long-term compliance support, Statrys offers a practical solution.

The Hong Kong company incorporation package allows you to get started 100% online from anywhere in the world, with all administrative steps handled efficiently in one place.

The package includes:

• Company registration with all filings and government fees
• One year of company secretary service
• A registered address with mail scanning service
• 24/7 access to your company documents on our online platform
• A fast-track business account application (subject to approval)