====== Notes on members' addresses ======

The [[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/pdfs/ukpga_20060046_en.pdf|Companies Act 2006]] requires the lab to maintain a register of members, which must include their service address. A service address is not required to be a residential address.

Relevant excerpts from the act:

<blockquote>
**113** (2) There must be entered in the register— (a)the names and addresses of the members,


**113A** Required information about members: individuals

(1)The required information about a member who is an individual is—
(a)name;
(b)a service address.

**1141** Service addresses
(1) In the Companies Acts a “service address”, in relation to a person, means an
address at which documents may be effectively served on that person.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify conditions with which a
service address must comply.

(3) Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure.


**1142** Requirement to give service address

Any obligation under the Companies Acts to give a person’s address is, unless
otherwise expressly provided, to give a service address for that person.
</blockquote>

===== Directors’ residential addresses =====

Separately from the register of members, there is a requirement to keep a register of directors' residential addresses. Access to this register is much more restricted than access to the register of members. It was introduced to help protect directors from disclosure of their home addresses, which were previously required in the publicly accessible register.

<blockquote>
**165** Register of directors’ residential addresses

(1) Every company must keep a register of directors’ residential addresses.

(2) The register must state the usual residential address of each of the company’s
directors.

(3) If a director’s usual residential address is the same as his service address (as
stated in the company’s register of directors), the register of directors’
residential addresses need only contain an entry to that effect.
This does not apply if his service address is stated to be “The company’s
registered office”.
</blockquote>

===== Notes from the web =====

<blockquote>Common misconceptions about Service Addresses

As already mentioned, in the UK it is not permissible to use a Post Office Box or a virtual address as an officers’ Service Address. 

Also, while businesses tend to know that they can use an address other than their company’s operational address as the company’s Registered Office, some businesses are unaware that in the UK **they can use an address other than the officers’ private or residential addresses, as their officers’ Service Address**.


-- [[https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/service-address-what-is-it-and-why-would-you-need-one]]
</blockquote>


<blockquote>A service address can be located anywhere in the world – it does not have to be in the UK. You can use a residential or commercial (non-residential) address, including the same address as your company’s registered office.

Due to the public disclosure of this information, **the majority of individuals prefer to use an address that is not their place of residence**. A non-residential service address will allow you to protect your privacy by keeping your home address off the public register.

-- https://www.rapidformations.co.uk/blog/service-address-and-registered-office-address-whats-the-difference/</blockquote>