Form EW02 UK: Withdraw Director Addresses
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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK
If your company previously opted to keep directors' usual residential addresses on the public register at Companies House, you can change your mind. Form EW02 is the mechanism for pulling that information back out of public view. It's a short filing, but it matters: residential address data, once visible, gets scraped, cached and shared across third-party sites, so acting sooner rather than later tends to be wise.
This page walks through what the form does, who can file it, and what happens afterwards. I'll also flag a few things that catch people out, such as the fact that withdrawing the address from public view doesn't erase it from Companies House records or from your own statutory registers.
If you'd rather talk it through with someone before filing, a phone call with an experienced legal adviser is available at the bottom of this page.
What this document is
Form EW02 is a Companies House filing used to withdraw directors' usual residential addresses (often shortened to URAs) from the public register. It applies where a company had previously chosen, usually on incorporation or via an earlier filing, to place those residential addresses on the public record rather than using a separate service address.
The form sits within the regime introduced by the Companies Act 2006 and the regulations that followed it, which treat directors' home addresses as protected information by default. Companies that had historically kept home addresses on public view can use EW02 to bring their position into line with the default protected treatment.
You can withdraw every director's address in one filing, or pick out specific directors whose addresses should come off the public register. The form doesn't change what's held internally at Companies House, and it doesn't change what appears in the company's own register of directors' residential addresses. It simply closes off public access to that data through the central register.
How to use this document
- Check what's currently on the public register. Before filing anything, search the company on the Companies House service and look at the filed documents. Identify which directors have a usual residential address showing publicly, rather than a service address. This tells you whether EW02 is actually needed, and for whom.
- Decide the scope of your withdrawal. You can withdraw residential addresses for all affected directors, or only some of them. If you're only removing certain individuals, list exactly which directors the filing covers. Each director you include must be named clearly so Companies House can match the record.
- Complete Form EW02 accurately. Fill in the company name, registered number, and the details of each director whose residential address you want withdrawn. The filing should come from the registered office and be signed by a director or the company secretary. Double-check names match Companies House records exactly before submitting.
- Submit the form to Companies House. The completed EW02 is sent to Companies House by post. A fee may apply per director, so check gov.uk for the current amount before sending payment. Keep a copy of what you file and proof of posting in your company records.
- Confirm the public register has been updated. After Companies House processes the filing, check the public register again to confirm the residential addresses are no longer visible. If anything still appears to be showing, contact Companies House. Remember to update your internal records to reflect the change in how the data is handled.
Common questions
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Common questions
Q Does filing Form EW02 delete the director's home address completely?
No. The filing withdraws the residential address from public view on the central register, but Companies House still holds the information internally. Your company's own register of directors' residential addresses is also unaffected. Certain bodies, including HMRC, the police, and specified credit reference agencies, can still access the information where the law permits. It is a privacy filing, not an erasure filing.
Q Who can sign and submit Form EW02?
The filing should be made by the company itself, from its registered office. A director or the company secretary signs the form. It is not something an individual director files personally for their own address, it is a company filing. If you use an accountant or company secretarial agent, they can usually prepare and submit it on the company's behalf.
Q Is there a fee for filing EW02?
Companies House charges a fee for processing this type of filing, and the amount can change over time. A separate fee typically applies for each director whose address is being withdrawn. Check gov.uk for the current amount before sending your form, and make sure payment is included or the filing may be rejected. Keep a record of any payment reference.
Q How long does it take for the address to disappear from the public register?
Processing times at Companies House vary depending on workload and how the form is submitted. Once the filing has been accepted, the public-facing record should be updated relatively quickly. Be aware that third-party websites that have already copied data from the register may continue to display the old information, and removing it from those sites is a separate exercise.
Q What is the difference between a service address and a usual residential address?
A service address is the address used for official correspondence and appears on the public register by default. A usual residential address is the director's actual home address. The two can be the same or different. Directors can use almost any address as a service address, including the registered office, which is why many people never have their home address on public view in the first place.
Q Do I still need to tell Companies House my home address?
Yes. Directors are required to give their usual residential address to Companies House as part of appointment and ongoing filings. EW02 only affects whether that address is visible to the public, not whether it has to be provided at all. If you move house, you must still notify Companies House of the change using the appropriate update filing within the time limits.
Q Can I withdraw a former director's residential address?
In many cases, yes. Where a former director's usual residential address was placed on the public register while they held office, the company can usually file EW02 to withdraw it. The form allows the company to specify which individuals are covered. If you're unsure whether a particular historical record is within scope, it's worth clarifying with Companies House or getting guidance before filing.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · Companies HouseCompanies House Form EW02 (gov.uk)gov.uk
- LegislationCompanies Act 2006legislation.gov.uk
- Guidance · Companies HouseCompanies House servicefind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether EW02 is the right filing?
Withdrawing residential addresses from the public register sounds simple, but the scope, signatories and timing often raise questions. An experienced legal adviser can talk you through the practicalities based on what you describe on the call.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about EW02
- Practical perspective on whether the filing fits your situation
- Points to watch out for based on what you describe
- Clarity on your next steps before you submit anything
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.