Every Singapore company must have a registered office address in Singapore from the day it is incorporated. It is where official letters from ACRA, IRAS, and the courts are sent, and where the company's statutory registers may be inspected. Choosing the right address is simple, but getting it wrong can lead to missed notices and penalties.
ACRA's Requirements
- A physical address in Singapore. P.O. boxes are not allowed.
- Open and accessible to the public for at least three hours during ordinary business hours on each business day.
- Where registers are kept or made available, including the register of members, directors, and registrable controllers, unless kept electronically as permitted.
- Displayed on official documents. The company's name and registration number must appear on its letters, invoices, and other official documents.
- Kept up to date. Any change must be lodged with ACRA within 14 days.
Your Options
| Option | Best for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial office lease | Teams working from a physical office | Lease allows use as a registered office |
| Serviced or co-working office | Small teams wanting flexibility | Mail handling and whether the plan includes registered address use |
| Registered address service | Foreign founders and remote teams | Mail scanning, forwarding speed, and that it is provided by a regulated service provider |
| Home address (HDB or private) | Local founders running small, low-footprint businesses | HDB or URA approval and restrictions on activities |
Using Your Home Address
Singapore Citizens and PRs often use their home as the registered office for a small business. The rules depend on the property type:
HDB flats
HDB allows certain small-scale businesses to be run from flats under its home-based business schemes. The business should not cause nuisance, employ outside workers on site, or receive customers in ways that disturb neighbours. Registration with HDB is usually required before using the flat as a registered office.
Private residential property
URA's Home Office Scheme allows owners and tenants of private homes to use part of the home as a small office, subject to conditions on the type of business, the number of people working there, and no signage or customer visits. Tenants usually also need the landlord's consent.
A registered office address is public. Anyone can see it on the company's business profile. If you do not want your home address on the public record, use a registered address service or an office address instead.
Virtual Offices and Registered Address Services
Foreign founders who incorporate remotely need a Singapore address from day one. A registered address service provides a compliant address, receives and scans official mail, and keeps the registers available. When choosing one:
- Confirm mail is scanned and sent to you quickly, since some ACRA and IRAS notices have short response times.
- Check whether the provider is a registered corporate service provider and can also act as your corporate secretary.
- Understand that banks and some regulators may ask where the business actually operates, so a registered address is not a substitute for real substance if you need it for tax residency or licensing.
Registered Office vs Operating Address
The registered office is where official correspondence goes. Your company can operate from a different place, such as a co-working space, a warehouse, or overseas, as long as the registered office meets ACRA's requirements. For tax residency and treaty purposes, what matters is where the company is managed and controlled, not the registered address alone.
Changing Your Registered Office
- Directors approve the new address by resolution.
- Lodge the change with ACRA through BizFile+ within 14 days.
- Update invoices, letterheads, your website, bank records, and IRAS and GST records where needed.
- Move or make available the statutory registers at the new address.
Conclusion
A registered office is a small decision with real consequences. Pick an address where official mail will reliably reach you, that you are comfortable having on the public record, and that meets ACRA's accessibility rules.
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, provided you have approval where required. Owners and tenants of HDB flats generally need to register under HDB's home-based business scheme, and private residences may need approval under URA's Home Office Scheme. Some activities are not allowed to operate from home.
No. A Singapore company's registered office must be a physical address in Singapore. Foreign founders usually use a registered address service from their corporate secretary or a serviced office.
No. The registered office must be a physical location where the company can be contacted and where its registers can be kept or made available. A P.O. box is not acceptable.
Lodge the change of registered office address with ACRA within 14 days of the change. Your corporate secretary can do this through BizFile+.
In 2026, the simplest setup for most foreign founders is a registered address bundled with their corporate secretary, so official mail and the statutory registers sit with the people responsible for filing. Local founders can use a home address with the right HDB or URA approval, but should weigh the privacy trade-off first. Karman includes a Singapore registered office address with our incorporation packages, with official mail scanned and flagged so no deadline is missed.