Registered Office Address vs. Business Address

Often confused, these two terms serve different purposes.

Registered Office Address

This is your company’s official legal address registered with ACRA. It must be a physical, accessible address in Singapore, meaning a P.O. Box is not permitted. As all official government correspondence (from ACRA, IRAS, etc.) is sent here, it must be open and accessible to the public for at least three hours during normal business hours on weekdays.

Business Address

This is the address you use for operations, marketing, and communicating with customers and partners. It can be the same as your registered address, or it can be different (e.g., a co-working space, retail shop, or factory).

Can I use a Residential Address for My Business in Singapore?

Yes, but only if you meet the criteria outlined by the Home Office Scheme, stipulated either by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

For HDB Properties

You must apply for HDB’s Home Office Scheme. Under this scheme, you cannot:

• Hire external employees

• Generate nuisance like noise, smoke, or excessive traffic.

• Deploy external business signage.

For Private Properties

You must apply for URA’s Home Office Scheme. The rules are similar, focusing on maintaining the residential character of the property.

Should You Use Your Home Address?

While you technically can incorporate your business with your home address, it may not be the best option. Here are some reasons why:

• Privacy: You run the risk of official documents, legal notices, or even disgruntled clients showing up at your front door. It may thus be a good idea to separate your home from your business.

• Professionalism: A residential address on your ACRA profile may appear less credible to investors, enterprise clients, and financial institutions.

• Ineligibility for Foreigners: If you’re a foreign founder without a residential property in Singapore, this option is not available to you by default.

• Scalability: The scheme restricts hiring, which will directly conflict with your growth plans.

Can Two Companies be Registered at the Same Address in Singapore?

Yes. As with just one company, you can use the same address provided that it complies with the Home Office Scheme, either under the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Tap On Mezzanine Enterprise’s Professional Registered Address Service

Instead of fretting over the address you should use, employing an external registered address provider is the standard and smartest choice for your business.

Mezzanine Enterprise is here to help, and we ensure you incorporate with an address with the following key attributes:

Guaranteed Compliance

We ensure your address meets all ACRA requirements, including the crucial "accessible for 3 hours" rule, giving you complete peace of mind.

Professional Image

A prime business district address enhances your company's credibility with investors, banks, and high-value clients, signalling stability and professionalism from Day One.

Total Privacy

Keep your home address private. A professional service acts as a secure buffer between your business's official correspondence and your personal life.

Mail Handling and Convenience

Services typically include mail scanning and digital forwarding. This is essential for busy founders and foreign directors who are not physically present to receive mail.

Flexibility

Regardless of where your team members are located, be it a co-working space, an overseas office, or even a fully remote location, your official registered address remains constant, stable, and compliant.

What if you need to change your address?

The process is straightforward but must be done correctly. Follow these steps to change your registered office address in Singapore:

1. Your company secretary must file a “Change in Company Information” notification via ACRA’s BizFile+ portal.

2. This must be completed within 14 days of the change taking effect.

When you use a service like Mezzanine Enterprise, your corporate secretary handles these filings seamlessly as part of their service, ensuring you are always compliant.