* All fees must be made payable to 'Companies House’

Striking-Off, Dissolution and Restoration

How do I apply for a company to be struck off the Register?

Complete and send us Form DS01 with a £10 filing fee: The Registrar will provide the form on request. However, striking-off is only applicable to a private company if, in the past three months, it has not:

• traded or otherwise carried on business;
• changed its name;
• disposed for value of property or rights that, immediately before ceasing to be in business or trade, it held for disposal or gain in the normal course of that business or trade; or
• engaged in any other activity except one necessary or expedient for making a striking-off application, settling the company’s affairs or meeting a statutory requirement. A company can, however, apply if it has settled trading or business debts in the previous three months.

(See guidance booklet 'Striking-off, Dissolution and Restoration' for full details of how to apply.)

How do I apply to restore a company to the Register?

A company may only be restored by a court order, so legal advice should be sought.

Who can apply?

A member or a creditor of the company, within 20 years of dissolution. If the company was dissolved following an application under 1003 of the Companies Act 2006, any of the parties who must be notified of the application may also apply. See guidance booklet 'Striking-off dissolution and restoration' for more information.

Where do I apply?

To the High Court, District Registry, or a County Court that has jurisdiction to wind up the company.

What are the costs?

The Registrar’s costs would normally be between £250 to £300, which have to be met by the applicant. Also there are solicitor's fees and court costs to be paid.

What is needed?

Before the court hearing the Registrar would normally ask for:

• the delivery of any statutory documents necessary to bring the company’s public file up to date; and
• the correction of any irregularities in the company’s structure.

A late filing penalty would also be payable by the company for each set of accounts delivered outside the period allowed by the Companies Act.

For further details please telephone Dissolution / Restoration section (0303 1234 500).