Companies House

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Striking-Off, Dissolution and Restoration FAQs

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 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.

Note: Cheques should not be payable from the account of the company applying for strike-off.

(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?

There are two ways for a company to be restored to the register. The first is by a court order and the second is by Administrative Restoration.

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.

For more information on restoration by court order please read our guidance booklet 'Striking-off, Dissolution and Restoration'.

How to apply for Administrative Restoration
Section 1024 of the Companies Act 2006

The Companies Act 2006 brought in a new process to administratively restore a company to the register without having to go to court. Customers are having problems sending the correct information to Companies House in a timely manner and the information below is aimed at helping customers get it right first time.

What is Administrative Restoration?

Under certain conditions, where a company was dissolved because it appeared to be no longer carrying on business or in operation, a former director or member may apply to the registrar to have the company restored to the register, this is called ‘administrative restoration’. If the registrar restores the company it is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved and struck off the register. Section 1025 of the Companies Act 2006 gives details of the requirements relating to administrative restoration.

Administrative Restoration is available where the company was struck off under:

• section 652 of the Companies Act 1985, or
• section 1000 and 1001 of the Companies Act 2006.
• section 603 of the Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) ( Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (SI 1986/1035 (NI 9)

Who can apply to have a company restored to the register?

Only a former director or former member of the company, who was a director or member at the time the company was dissolved can apply.

Can an application for administrative restoration be made in respect of any company?

No. To be eligible for administrative restoration, the company must have been:

• struck off the register under sections 1000 and 1001 of the Companies Act 2006 or section 652 of the Companies Act 1985 or section 603 of the Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (SI 1986/1035 (NI 9)
• dissolved for no more than six years at the date the registrar receives your application for restoration

If a company meets the above criteria, an application for restoration may be made if it meets the following conditions:

• it must have been carrying on business or in operation at the time it was struck off
• If any property or rights belonging to the company became bona vacantia, the applicant must provide the registrar with a statement in writing from the relevant Crown Representative giving consent to the company’s restoration. This statement is called a ‘Bona Vacantia waiver letter’, and must be obtained from the relevant Crown representative. A fee will be applicable

For more information on restoration by court order please read our guidance booklet 'Striking-off, Dissolution and Restoration'.