Registered Address

Common questions about registered address in Singapore, answered by the team at E&H Corporate Services.

What is a registered office address and why do I need one?A registered address is required for official correspondence from ACRA and IRAS. It must be a physical address in Singapore. Terra provides registered address services for companies without a physical office.Is it mandatory to register an office address in Singapore?Yes, by law, it is mandatory for every company in Singapore to lodge a Singapore address during the company incorporation.Can I use my residential or home address as the registered address?Yes, in most cases a residential address can be used as the company's registered office address in Singapore, provided it is an approved use (e.g. HDB addresses need HDB approval for home-based business). ACRA requires the registered office to be open and accessible during normal business hours.Do I need permission to use my residential address as the registered address?If the address is an HDB flat, you need HDB approval for home office use. Private properties generally allow it, but you should check your lease or condo by-laws. The address must be a physical location where documents can be served.Can I use a friend's address as my company's registered address?Technically ACRA requires a registered office where documents can be received, but using a friend's address without a proper arrangement is risky — mail and legal notices will go there. Most businesses instead use a registered address service (S$100–S$300/year) which handles mail properly.What should I do if I don't have a local address in Singapore?Foreign business owners without a local address can subscribe to a registered address service from a corporate service provider. The provider supplies a Singapore address, receives official mail on your behalf, and forwards or scans it to you.Where can I register the office address?During the company incorporation process, you will be prompted to fill in the registered address on the ACRA website.What services are included in a registered office address package?All physical post/letters can be received at this address. This address can feature on all the companies marketing material Government will send all its communication to this address What should I do if I change my office address?You have to report it to ACRA. Usually, it’s the duty of a corporate secretary.Can I use a virtual office as my registered address?Yes, as long as it is a physical location in Singapore. Virtual offices with mail handling services are acceptable to ACRA.What is a virtual office?A virtual office is a service that allows businesses and professionals to maintain a prestigious business address, access to mail handling services, phone answering, and meeting room facilities without the need to rent or own physical office space.How does the mail redirecting service work?For local mail, the redirecting service is free of charge. For overseas mail or courier, additional charges will apply, including service and coordination fees. Mail can be sent to the client or collected by the client. If clients engage us for accounting/secretarial services, we can open the mailers and scan them at their request.What happens to mail received on my company's behalf?Under a typical registered address service, incoming mail is received at the provider's office, logged, and forwarded to you (physical or scanned). Official ACRA and IRAS correspondence is treated with priority to avoid missed deadlines.What happens if I fail to maintain a registered office after incorporation?Under the Companies Act, failure to maintain a registered office is an offence. ACRA may impose fines, and the company risks losing its good standing — which can complicate bank accounts, contracts and future filings.Can I update my company's contact address with ACRA?Yes. A change of registered office address must be filed with ACRA via BizFile+ (typically within 14 days), and the new address must be a physical Singapore location. The business contact address can also be updated through the BizFile portal.Can I use my Singapore company address for my Malaysia company?No. A Malaysia company must have a registered address in Malaysia. This is a statutory requirement under the Malaysian Companies Act.

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