What does it mean to be 'struck off' the register'?
When a company is struck off the public register, it means that it legally ceases to exist. The company cannot trade, make or receive payments or sell any assets, and its status will appear as ‘dissolved’ on the Companies House website.
A company strike off that is voluntary, usually just means that the company has formally closed. But an involuntary strike off means that Companies House has taken action against the company for one or more of the following reasons:
- Registered Address missing or invalid
- Company Directors missing or inactive
- Missing or unresolved tax returns or company filings
- Incorrect or false information on the public record
- Missed filing or 'failure to file'
If your company was struck off for missing a filing deadline, then this is considered an involuntary strike off. But don't worry you can get your company legally operating again or if it has been closed completely, reopened by way of Administrative Restoration.
What is voluntary strike off?
Voluntary strike off means that you have actively applied to remove your company from the public register and legally dissolve it. This is typically when companies that were dormant or unused are no longer needed, so the director decides to dissolve it instead,
It is important to note that you typically cannot apply to strike your company off if there are any outstanding filing requirements, so you need to make sure that everything is up to date, (and will still be in date) by the time the strike off takes effect.
Directors may voluntarily strike off their company:
If a company has no assets or debts, then it may be a simpler and cheaper option to simply apply to have it struck off the public register. If the company has outstanding obligations, such as unpaid loans, etc., then it's better to liquidate the company, as the debts will need to be settled before it closes officially.
| State of the Company | Method of Closure |
| No Assets or Debt | Strike Off |
| Outstanding Debt | Liquidation |
What is involuntary strike off?
When a company is struck off the public register, Companies House files a dissolution application to address outstanding obligations. This process is usually triggered due to failure to file Annual Accounts, but it can also be due to something as simple to fix as a late confirmation statement filing.
The best way to avoid being struck off for a missed filing is by keeping track of communication received from HMRC or Companies House, and responding by the deadline.
Will I Get Notified about a Strike Off?
When a company receives a strike off notice, there is a two month window for the directors to complete their outstanding obligations. This notice period begins when a First Gazette Notice is issued to the company, which will appear under ‘Filing History’ on its Companies House page.
If you submit a voluntary strike off DS01 form to Companies House, it typically takes 1 to 2 weeks for the First Gazette notice to be filed. If the closure is involuntary, then the First Gazette notice is issued at the start of the forced closure process, but the two month window still applies.
Reinstating Your Company After Strike Off
If your company has been struck off the public register, you may be able to restore it through administrative restoration — provided you meet the following eligibility criteria:
You are a director or shareholder of the company
Fewer than six years have passed since the company was dissolved
The company was actively trading at the time it was struck off
How to Apply
If you meet all three requirements, submit an RT01 form to Companies House along with:
All outstanding company documents due at the time of strike-off
Any outstanding fees owed at the time of strike-off
Payment of all outstanding late filing penalties for accounts
A cheque for £341 to cover the restoration fee
What Happens Next
Once submitted, Companies House will review your application. Processing times vary depending on the volume of outstanding documents and fees to be assessed, but can range from a few days to several months.
If your application is successful, you'll receive a confirmation letter from Companies House and your company will be restored to the public register.
