What is a Registered Office?

A Registered Office is that address which is notified to the Companies Registry. Companies Registrar usually maintains all the records of a company. The Registered Office is a very critical address, as the business is deemed to have all the critical operations being conducted from there. As per the Companies Act 1985, this address (the address of the Registered Office) is to be quoted for all correspondence purposes, from the company and to the company.

Why is it so important?

It is important to have a Registered Office for a company. One, it gives a company a distinct identity. It is beneficial for the company, as people from different areas, concerned with the company, would know where to send mails etc. And therefore it is important to have a Registered Office.

Who can benefit from a registered office?

Often, in case of small organisations, single entrepreneurship and small partnership businesses, the Registered Office is the home or other residential address, where the main operations take place. That is absolutely OK as per legalities.

But more and more business owners wake up to the fact that, having a registered office in a residential area, or a not-so-hot-and-happening place, proves to be a disadvantage. Why? One, their customers and clients are not sure - whether they should deal with a company which operates from such a location. Second, the company does not get much attention. And therefore third, it is tough to build up brand awareness.

A lot of internet sites are providing registered offices in posh colonies and plush office areas to such organisations who operate from other not-so-popular areas. This is actually quite helpful at just a minimum annual fee.