Short answer: Every Singapore company must have a registered office in Singapore to which all communications and notices may be addressed (Companies Act s142(1)). It does not have to be where you run your business. If the address changes, the company must notify ACRA within 14 days (s143). You can use your own premises, a landlord's or co-working address, or an address service from a registered corporate service provider.
Last checked against ACRA pages and Singapore Statutes Online on 31 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you act.
What is a registered office?
The registered office is the official address where ACRA and others can send communications and notices to your company. ACRA says it does not have to be where you run your business: for example, the registered office can be in Raffles Place while a factory operates in Tuas. Source: ACRA.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Must be in Singapore | A company must have a registered office within Singapore from the date of incorporation, to which all communications and notices may be addressed. | Companies Act s142(1) |
| Can differ from your business location | The registered office does not have to be the same place where you run your business activities. | ACRA |
| Tell ACRA about changes | Lodge a notice of the change within 14 days after the change. | Companies Act s143(1) |
| Penalty | Failing to lodge the notice of change within 14 days: fine up to S$5,000 plus a default penalty, for the company and each officer in default. | Companies Act s143(2) |
Your options
- Your own premises. Use an office or other space you occupy, subject to the lease and any rules that apply to that property.
- A landlord's or co-working address. Use space you rent under a tenancy or membership that allows you to use it as your registered office.
- An address service from a registered corporate service provider. Providing a registered office, business address or correspondence address for a company is a regulated corporate service under the Corporate Service Providers Act 2024, so the provider must be registered with ACRA for that type of service. Source: SSO.
How do you change your registered address?
Log in to Bizfile as a business user, open the entity information page, choose "Office address" and edit it. The notice must reach ACRA within 14 days of the change. Source: ACRA.
Frequently asked questions
What is a registered office address?
It is the Singapore address where ACRA and others can send communications and notices to the company (Companies Act s142(1)). It does not have to be where you run your business activities.
Does my registered address have to be where I run my business?
No. ACRA says the registered office does not have to be the same place where you run your business activities.
How long do I have to tell ACRA about a new registered address?
Within 14 days after the change (Companies Act s143(1)). The fine for not notifying is up to S$5,000 plus a default penalty.
Can I use my home as the registered office?
The law asks for a Singapore address to which communications and notices can be addressed. Whether a particular home can be used also depends on the rules and lease terms for that property, so check those first.
Does a foreign-owned company need a Singapore registered address?
Yes. Every Singapore company needs a registered office in Singapore, and ACRA says foreigners must also engage a corporate service provider to register the company.
Sources
- Companies Act 1967, ss142 and 143 (registered office)
- ACRA: Step 4.6, registering a local company via Bizfile
- ACRA: updating an entity's information (registered office address)
- Corporate Service Providers Act 2024 (SSO)
- ACRA: Step 1, requirements and eligibility (last updated 29 Jan 2026)
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with ACRA, MOM and IRAS and your own advisers.