Correspondence Address or Residential Address? A Practical Guide for Hong Kong Company Directors
Understand how a director’s correspondence address differs from a usual residential address and a company’s statutory registered office, including HKBSCL’s stated mail-handling scope and client responsibilities.
Service disclosure: This is an HKBSCL Correspondence Address Service spotlight. It is promotional evergreen content, not independent external news.
Three addresses, three different functions
A director’s usual residential address is the place recorded as the director’s residence where required. It is not the same thing as the correspondence address used as a public contact address where the applicable rules permit. A correspondence address must remain usable so that the director can actually be contacted.
The company’s statutory registered office is a third concept. It is the company’s official address for statutory communications. HKBSCL’s live service page expressly states that its correspondence-address arrangement is distinct from the company’s registered-office service. Depending on the circumstances, a company may need one service, the other, or both; one should not be assumed to replace the other.
When a correspondence-address arrangement may be relevant
The service page describes it as suitable for directors or other eligible persons who want a consistent public contact point while keeping their usual residential address separate. It may be relevant where an eligible director relocates, is based outside Hong Kong, or wants covered mail to follow a defined business handling route. Whether a person is eligible and what appears on the public register remain subject to the applicable rules and the Companies Registry’s processes.
What HKBSCL states it handles
The current service page lists agreed use of the correspondence address, receipt of covered mail, notification to a nominated contact and holding ordinary mail for 30 calendar days from receipt. It states that uncollected ordinary mail may then be securely disposed of, subject to law. Change-filing support is available only where included or separately quoted. Forwarding, courier, parcel handling and parcel storage are separate arrangements and should not be assumed to be included.
What remains the client’s responsibility
Activation is subject to completion of KYC, payment and required filing information. The director and company remain responsible for providing accurate details and written mail instructions, keeping contact information current, ensuring the address remains usable, and arranging prompt collection, forwarding or action on important correspondence. The Companies Registry controls the public register. The service does not guarantee absolute privacy, prevent lawful disclosure, or remove any duty to respond on time.
A restrained next step
If you are unsure whether you need a director correspondence address, a company registered office, or both, you may send HKBSCL a short enquiry describing the person, company and preferred mail handling. HKBSCL can then confirm the service scope and quotation based on the facts.
Source: HKBSCL, “Correspondence Address Service”, accessed 24 August 2026: https://hkbscl.com/en/services/correspondence-address
Disclaimer: This promotional service introduction is for general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Address eligibility, public-register treatment, filing requirements and service scope depend on the applicable rules and the facts of each case. Obtain advice where needed and verify current requirements before acting.