If you’re moving offices, switching to a virtual address, or correcting your details, you’ll need to change company address SSM records to reflect it — and there’s a strict 14-day window to do it in. This guide covers the difference between your registered office and business address, how to update each one, the deadline, and what happens if you miss it.
Registered Office vs. Business Address: What’s the Difference?
These two addresses are often confused, but they serve different legal purposes:
| Registered Office Address | Business Address | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Where SSM and official bodies send legal notices and correspondence; where statutory registers are kept | Where the company actually carries on its business or operations |
| Required? | Mandatory for every company | Only needs to be declared if different from the registered office |
| Can it be a home address? | Generally yes, if it’s a physical address in Malaysia, subject to any tenancy or strata restrictions | Generally yes, if it’s where the business genuinely operates |
| Can they be the same address? | Yes — many small companies use one address for both | |
Your company secretary’s office is commonly used as the registered office address, especially for companies without their own commercial premises.
Change Company Address SSM: Who Can Make the Change
A change of registered office or business address is typically lodged by the company secretary through SSM’s online system (MyCoID), since it’s a statutory notification tied to the company’s official records.
Change Company Address SSM: The 14-Day Deadline
Once your company’s address changes, you must notify SSM within 14 days of the change taking effect. This applies to both the registered office address and the business address, whenever they differ from what’s on record.
This is a shorter window than many other statutory changes (which are often 30 days), so it’s easy to miss if you’re focused on the physical move itself and not the paperwork that comes with it.
Change Company Address SSM: What Happens If You’re Late
Missing the 14-day window can attract a late lodgement penalty. Always confirm the current penalty amount with your company secretary or SSM directly, as these figures are set out in SSM’s Practice Directives and get revised from time to time.
Beyond the direct penalty, an outdated registered address means SSM notices, legal correspondence, and other official mail may go to the wrong place — which can cause you to miss other deadlines entirely, such as your annual return. See: Annual Return Filing in Malaysia.
Change Company Address SSM: What Else to Update
Updating SSM is only one part of the process. After your address change is lodged, also update:
- Your corporate bank account details
- LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) records
- Business licences and permits tied to your old address
- Company letterhead, invoices, and signage
- Contracts and agreements that reference your registered address
- Your website, Google Business listing, and any delivery or courier accounts
Common Mistakes When Changing a Company Address
- Missing the 14-day deadline — it’s shorter than most people expect compared to other statutory changes
- Updating the business address but forgetting the registered office, or vice versa, when they’re actually different
- Not confirming the new address meets the requirements — it must be a physical address in Malaysia, not a P.O. box
- Assuming the bank and LHDN update automatically — they don’t, and these need to be handled separately
Moving offices or need your company address updated with SSM? See how we can help, or get in touch and we’ll handle the filing within the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to notify SSM of a company address change?
Within 14 days of the change taking effect, for both the registered office address and the business address.
Q: What’s the difference between a registered office and a business address?
The registered office is where SSM and official bodies send legal correspondence and where statutory registers are kept. The business address is where the company actually operates. They can be the same, or different.
Q: Can I use my home address as my company’s registered office?
Generally yes, as long as it’s a physical address in Malaysia, subject to any tenancy or strata restrictions that may apply.
Q: What happens if I don’t update my company’s address in time?
Late notification can attract a penalty under SSM’s Practice Directives, and an outdated address on record risks missing official correspondence and other statutory deadlines.
Q: Who is responsible for lodging a company address change with SSM?
This is typically handled by the company secretary through SSM’s online system.
Q: Do I need to update my bank and LHDN separately after changing my company address with SSM?
Yes. SSM doesn’t automatically update other institutions — you’ll need to notify your bank, LHDN, and any licensing bodies separately.
