Registered Office Address Requirements in Hong Kong in 2025

Every Hong Kong company is required to maintain a registered office address both when it is established and throughout its operations.

This address serves as an official point of contact where the Companies Registry and other government authorities deliver legal and compliance-related documents.

In this article, we’ll explain the registered office address requirements in 2025, the difference between a business and registered address, and how to update your address if it changes. Whether you’re setting up a new company or managing an existing one, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant.

According to the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, every company must maintain a registered office address both at the time of the company's incorporation and throughout its entire business lifecycle. This address is the official point of contact for the Hong Kong government and other relevant authorities.

For example, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will use this address to send critical tax-related notifications and official correspondence.

For this reason, the registered office address must:

• Be a physical office location in Hong Kong
• Be accessible during normal business hours (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Not be a P.O. Box

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.
• 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 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.

The business address does not need to match the company’s registered office address and is not always required to appear in official filings.

For many startups and small businesses, renting a physical place of business in Hong Kong may not be practical or necessary, especially when a registered office service can meet compliance needs at a lower cost. 

Whether you're deciding between renting office space or using a service provider, here are a few important factors to consider when selecting the address of your registered office:

• Privacy: If you're a sole director or running a private company from home, using a service provider can help keep your residential company address off public records.
• Professional Image: A central or well-known business district address can enhance credibility, especially when dealing with clients or partners.
• Mail Handling: Most registered office service providers offer mail forwarding or pickup options, helping ensure you don’t miss important documents from government departments.
• Included in Service Packages: Many company secretary services include a registered office address as part of their annual compliance or incorporation packages, making it a cost-effective choice for newly formed businesses.

You can change the registered address of your business if you move offices, switch service providers, or restructure your operations. But it’s essential that you notify the Companies Registry of the change to stay compliant. To make the update, follow these steps.

You’ll need to submit two forms within 15 days of the effective date of 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.
• Form IRC3111A – Submit to the Business Registration Office to notify the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of the change.

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.

In addition to notifying the authorities, you should inform relevant contacts of your change of address to avoid disruptions. This includes banks where you hold business bank accounts, as well as clients and suppliers. Updating them ensures important documents like invoices, notices, or banking correspondence are sent to the correct place of business.

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)