What is a registered office in Malaysia and can I use my home address?
A registered office is the Malaysian address where SSM and others send official notices. Every company must have one at all times, open to the public during ordinary business hours. A home address can be used if it meets those requirements and any landlord or local rules allow it. Changes must be notified to SSM within 14 days.
Companies Act 2016, s.46 says:
- A company must always have a registered office in Malaysia for communications and notices.
- It must be open and accessible to the public during ordinary business hours.
- A change of address must be notified to the Registrar within 14 days. Failing to comply is an offence with a fine of up to RM50,000.
- A company must display its registered name at its registered office and places of business (s.30).
Records kept there (s.47) include registers and, unless notified otherwise, the company's financial records.
Using a home address
The Act does not ban it, but check your tenancy or strata rules, any local council restrictions on running a business from home, and whether someone will be present to receive notices during business hours. Many companies use their company secretary's office or a serviced address instead.
SSM sends notices to the registered office, and missing a notice because the address is stale can lead to strike-off proceedings.
Legal basis
- Companies Act 2016, s.46
- Companies Act 2016, s.47
- Companies Act 2016, s.30
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- What business structure should I choose in Malaysia: sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP or Sdn Bhd?Pick based on liability, who owns it and how credible you need to look. A sole proprietorship or partnership is cheapest but the owners are personally liable; an LLP or a Sdn Bhd gives a separate legal entity. A Sdn Bhd is the usual choice once you hire staff, sign larger contracts or bring in investors.
- What is the difference between a sole proprietorship and a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?A sole proprietorship is not a separate legal person, so you are personally liable for all business debts. A Sdn Bhd is its own legal person and shareholders are generally liable only for unpaid share capital. A Sdn Bhd costs more to set up and carries more yearly filing duties.
- What is an LLP in Malaysia and how is it different from a Sdn Bhd?A limited liability partnership (LLP) is a body corporate registered under the LLP Act 2012. It needs at least two partners (a shortfall is allowed for six months) and a compliance officer who is a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident living in Malaysia. It runs on a partnership agreement, not a board. A Sdn Bhd has directors, shares and heavier governance under the Companies Act 2016.
- Can one person be the only director and shareholder of a Sdn Bhd?Yes. A company needs at least one member and one director, and one person can be both. A private company must have at least one director who ordinarily lives in Malaysia. You still need a licensed company secretary, and you cannot act as both director and secretary where the law needs both.
- What is the minimum paid-up capital for a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?The Companies Act 2016 sets no minimum amount; a company needs at least one share. Shares no longer have a par value. Many Sdn Bhds start with RM1 to RM1,000, but regulators, banks and immigration can expect more depending on your activity or foreign ownership.