In Singapore, company officers such as directors, shareholders, and secretaries are required by ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) to submit a residential address for compliance. This address has traditionally been made public, but due to privacy concerns, ACRA now offers an alternative — the Contact Address (also known as an Alternate Address). This guide explains what a Contact Address is, how it differs from a Personal Address, why it is important, and how to update your company’s records.
Overview:
- What is a Contact Address?
- Differences Between Contact and Personal Addresses
- Who Needs to Update Their Address?
- Why Register a Contact Address?
- How to Update Your Contact Address with ACRA
- Important Deadlines for Updating Addresses
What is a Contact Address in Singapore?
A Contact Address (or Alternate Address) is a publicly available address that company officers (directors, shareholders, secretaries) can register to protect their Personal Address (residential address) from being displayed in ACRA’s public records.
ACRA introduced this option to give company officers greater control over their personal privacy, while still ensuring that they can be contacted for official business purposes.
Key Features of a Contact Address:
- Publicly Displayed: The Contact Address will appear in public business profiles available through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal.
- Physical Address: It must be a valid physical address, such as an office or a corporate service provider’s address. P.O. Boxes are not allowed.
- Same Jurisdiction: The Contact Address must be in the same jurisdiction (country) as the officer’s residential address.
Example of Jurisdiction Requirement:
If a company director’s residential address is in Singapore, their Contact Address must also be in Singapore. For example:
- Acceptable Contact Address: “123 Robinson Road, #xx-xx, Singapore.”
- Not Acceptable: A Contact Address located in Malaysia, or another foreign country, would not meet ACRA’s jurisdiction rule.
This ensures that the officer can be reliably reached at a valid address within the country.
Differences Between Contact and Personal Addresses
It is important to understand the distinction between these two address types, as each serves a different purpose in ACRA’s records:
| Feature | Contact Address | Personal Address | Corporate Registered Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Visibility | Yes (listed in ACRA’s records) | No (protected from public disclosure) | Yes (publicly listed in ACRA |
| Usage | For public contact purposes | For official correspondence | For official business correspondence and notices |
| Address Type | Must be a physical address (no P.O Box) | Residential Address | Must be a physical office address in Singapore |
Who Needs to Update Their Address?
Any company officer in Singapore — including directors, shareholders, and secretaries — can choose to update their public address to a Contact Address. This option is available to those who wish to protect their Personal Address from public visibility.
By the end of 2024, company officers who wish to replace their Personal Address with a Contact Address must update their records with ACRA to avoid public disclosure.
Why Register a Contact Address?
Registering a Contact Address offers several practical benefits:
- Protect Your Privacy: By providing a Contact Address, company officers can keep their Personal (Residential) Address private. This prevents unsolicited contact or unwelcome visitors and ensures personal privacy.
- Avoid Overwhelming Mail at Home: Using your home address for business purposes can result in a flood of business-related mail and documents being delivered to your residence. By registering a Contact Address, you can direct business correspondence to a more appropriate location, such as your company office or service provider.
- Professional Image: A Contact Address that’s linked to a business location (like an office or corporate service provider) presents a more professional appearance when displayed on the BizFile+ profile.
- Compliance: Registering a Contact Address ensures that you remain fully compliant with ACRA’s regulations, while also offering flexibility in how you manage your contact information.
- Public Accessibility: Anyone who pays SGD 5.50 to download your company’s business profile from ACRA’s BizFile+ portal will see your Contact Address instead of your Personal Address, ensuring that personal details are kept confidential.
How to Update Your Contact Address with ACRA
Updating your Contact Address is straightforward and can be done online through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. Here’s how:
Step 1: Log in to BizFile+
Access BizFile+ using your CorpPass or SingPass.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Update Address” Section
Once logged in, find the section for updating the officer’s address. Select the relevant company officer whose address you want to update.
Step 3: Enter the New Contact Address
Input the new Contact Address (e.g., the company office address or the service provider’s address). Remember, it must be a physical address within the same jurisdiction as the officer’s Personal Address.
Step 4: Submit the Change and Verify
Review the information, submit the update, and verify the changes. If you complete this before November 30, 2024, there will be no filing fee.
Important Deadlines for Updating Addresses
- No Filing Fee Until November 30, 2024: Officers who update their Contact Address before this date will not incur any charges.
- Filing Fee After November 2024: Starting December 1, 2024, a filing fee of SGD 40 per officer will apply for updating addresses in BizFile+.
It is advisable to update your Contact Address before this deadline to avoid extra fees.
Conclusion
Registering a Contact Address is a simple yet important step for company officers who want to maintain privacy, project professionalism, and comply with ACRA’s regulations. By switching from a Personal Address to a Contact Address, officers can protect their residential details from public exposure, avoid receiving business-related mail at home, and ensure they are accessible for official matters. Be sure to update your Contact Address before the deadline to avoid unnecessary fees.
