Register of directors and register of directors’ residential addresses

All companies must keep separate registers of directors and their residential addresses. Make sure yours is in the right format and includes all the relevant information.

Why two registers?

Keeping directors’ residential addresses on a separate register protects their privacy from unwanted marketing and fraud, as the register cannot be disclosed to the general public. However, it can be disclosed to the authorities, so directors can be traced when necessary, e.g. when they are in breach of their duties. On the register of directors that is available to the public, directors can provide a service address, which can be any address at which documents can be delivered to them and their delivery acknowledged (so, unlike the register of shareholders, a PO Box address cannot be provided). This address could be the company’s registered office, the director’s solicitor or even their own residential address if they wish.

Alternative for private companies

Private companies can opt to use the central register at Companies House, rather than keeping and maintaining their own register. Note that if the register of directors’ residential addresses is kept on the central register, the general public cannot search it in order to protect the directors’ privacy.

Inspection

Unless the information is kept on the central register at Companies House, a company must keep its registers of directors at its registered office or other official inspection place. Shareholders can inspect the register of directors free of charge; non-shareholders may be charged a fee. The information can also be obtained from Companies House.

The register of directors’ residential addresses may not be inspected by the shareholders or the general public. If the register of directors is inspected or copies provided, directors’ full dates of birth should not be disclosed (just the month and year).

Changes

When changes need to be made to either register, the company will have to file one of the following forms at Companies House within 14 days of the change:

• Register of directors: AP01/AP02 for appointments, CH01/CH02 for changes to registered details, TM01 for termination of appointment
• Register of directors’ residential addresses: CH01 for changes

This applies whether the company uses the central register at Companies House, or keeps its own registers. If it keeps its own registers, they must be updated accordingly.