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How Do I Update My SAIL Address?
You update, add, or remove a SAIL address by filing the relevant form with Companies House, and there's no fee for any of it. Which form you need depends on exactly what you're doing: setting one up for the first time, changing an existing one, or moving your records back to your registered office.
Key Takeaways
- Introducing or changing a SAIL address is done using form AD02, filed with Companies House at no cost.
- Form AD03 is used to specify which statutory records are actually held at your SAIL address.
- Form AD04 moves your records back to your registered office if you want to stop using a SAIL address entirely.
- Since October 2025, filing online through WebFiling requires signing in with GOV.UK One Login.
- Your new SAIL address must meet the same requirements as your existing one: a physical UK location in the same jurisdiction as your registered office, accessible during standard working hours.
How Do I Set Up a SAIL Address for the First Time?
File form AD02, "Notification of Single Alternative Inspection Location," with Companies House. There's no fee to do this, and you can file it either online through WebFiling or by post.
The address you provide needs to meet the same requirements Companies House applies to any SAIL address: a real physical location in the UK, within the same jurisdiction as your registered office (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), and accessible for inspection during standard working hours.
How Do I Change an Existing SAIL Address?
File form AD02 again, this time to notify Companies House of the new location, replacing the previous one on record. The same requirements apply to the new address as applied to the original.
If you're also changing which specific records are held at the SAIL address, rather than just its location, use form AD03 to update that separately.
How Do I Stop Using a SAIL Address?
File form AD04 to move your statutory records back to your registered office and close your SAIL address. Once this is processed, your registered office becomes the default location for record inspection again, the same as if you'd never set one up.
Do I Need to File Online, or Can I Post the Form?
Both options are available. If you file online through Companies House WebFiling, you'll need to sign in using GOV.UK One Login, a requirement introduced in October 2025. Posting a paper form is also still accepted, though it typically takes longer to process.
Is There a Fee to Update My SAIL Address?
No. Setting up, changing, or closing a SAIL address is free, regardless of which form you're filing or whether you file online or by post.
Where Can I Find Out More About SAIL Addresses Generally?
Our fuller guide on what a SAIL address is and why you'd use one covers the bigger picture: what records can be kept there, the legal requirements, and how it differs from your registered office.
FAQs
What form do I need to set up a SAIL address?
Form AD02, "Notification of Single Alternative Inspection Location," filed with Companies House at no cost.
How do I change which records are held at my SAIL address?
File form AD03 to update the specific records held there, separately from the address itself.
How do I stop using a SAIL address entirely?
File form AD04 to move your statutory records back to your registered office, closing the SAIL address.
Is there a fee to update my SAIL address?
No, updating, adding, or removing a SAIL address is free.
Do I need a GOV.UK One Login to file this online?
Yes, since October 2025, filing through Companies House WebFiling requires signing in with GOV.UK One Login.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House processes can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or Companies House before relying on the details above.
