Thinking about closing your company, but unsure about how the process works? If you’re a director of a dormant, debt-free limited company in the UK, one of the most important steps is filing a DS01 form online. This document acts as the formal trigger for striking off your company from the Companies House register.
Completing your DS01 form online is typically a straightforward, cost-effective method to close your limited company. However, DS01 is not suitable for every company. If your business has outstanding debts, including HMRC liabilities, supplier invoices or a Bounce Back Loan, filing DS01 may lead to objections, delays and further scrutiny. Before you proceed, it is worth checking that your company actually qualifies.
In this guide, we’ll explain who is eligible to submit a DS01 form online and walk you through the submission process. We’ll also show you what to do if a different closure route may be more appropriate.
Before you file DS01, check that it’s safe to do so
If your company has debts, HMRC arrears, creditor pressure or a Bounce Back Loan, DS01 may not be the right option.
⚠️ Do not file DS01 if your company owes money
DS01 is only for companies that are debt-free and have stopped trading. If any of the following apply, filing DS01 could be a serious mistake:
- Outstanding invoices or supplier debts
- Unpaid HMRC liabilities (VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax)
- An outstanding Bounce Back Loan
- Ongoing legal proceedings or disputes
- Employees who have not been paid or dismissed
Not sure if you qualify? Speak to Anderson Brookes before you file. Our advice is free and confidential. Call 0800 1804 935 or use the form below.
What is a DS01 form?
The Companies House DS01 form is the official application document used to permanently and voluntarily dissolve a UK limited company. By filing the form, you are requesting to strike off your company from the Companies House register.
Filing DS01 triggers a two-month notice period. During this time, interested parties can object to the dissolution if they have valid concerns. Once the process has been completed, your company will cease to exist legally. After dissolution begins, you can no longer trade or conduct business activities through the company.
Who can use a DS01 form?
While DS01 is an efficient way to close a company, it isn’t the right option for everyone. In fact, not all businesses are able to use this form, as certain eligibility criteria apply. In order to file a DS01, your company must have:
- Not traded or carried out business activity in the last three months
- Not changed its name in the last three months
- No ongoing legal proceedings or active insolvency processes
- No outstanding debts, including HMRC, suppliers, lenders or Bounce Back Loan debt
- Dismissed and paid all employees, where applicable
- Distributed or dealt with remaining assets properly
- Agreement from the required majority of directors to apply
Check if DS01 is safe before you file
If you are not completely sure whether DS01 is suitable, answer a few quick questions. We will help you understand whether strike-off is likely to be appropriate, or whether another route should be considered first.
Why file your DS01 online?
The DS01 form is available in both online and paper formats. However, Companies House strongly recommends that you file your DS01 online; only if you are unable to do so should you resort to the paper version. There are several key reasons why Companies House favours filing a DS01 online.
Online DS01 vs Paper DS01
- Filing DS01 is cheaper: it costs £13, compared to £18 if applying with a paper form.
- It’s quicker and more efficient to submit DS01 online.
- You also reduce the risk of errors with DS01 online.
- Finally, by filing online, you can be sure that your form arrives: you get immediate confirmation and no postal delays.
What to do before filing DS01
Before submitting your application, make sure you have completed the necessary steps to wind down the company properly.
- Settled all outstanding debts, including trade creditors, HMRC obligations, loans and finance agreements
- Dismissed employees and paid final wages and statutory entitlements, where applicable
- Distributed or dealt with remaining company assets
- Closed or prepared to close business bank accounts
- Prepared final accounts, where appropriate
- Obtained agreement from the required majority of directors
- Identified who must be notified after the application is made
Each director who signs the DS01 application is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If debts, creditor claims or other unresolved issues come to light after submission, the process may be delayed, objected to or stopped.
How to file a DS01 online: a step-by-step guide
Before starting, here’s a list of what you’ll need to file DS01 online:
- Companies House sign-in details
- Company registration number
- Company authentication code
- An email address for each director who needs to approve the application
- A debit or credit card, or a Companies House credit account
Log in to the Companies House online service
Go to the Companies House online service and sign in using the required company details.
If you do not have the company authentication code, you may need to request a new one before you can continue.
Complete the DS01 application
The online application will ask for company details and confirmation that the company meets the conditions for voluntary strike-off.
Take care at this stage. If the company owes money, has unresolved HMRC issues or is still trading, take advice before confirming the application.
Obtain director approvals
The application must be approved by the required majority of directors. If your company has a sole director, this is straightforward. If there is more than one director, more than half must approve the application.
Companies House will send approval requests to the relevant directors. Make sure the email addresses are correct and that directors respond promptly.
Pay the application fee
At the time of writing, the online DS01 fee is £13 and is non-refundable once submitted.
Once payment is complete, you should receive confirmation and an application reference number. Keep this reference so you can track progress.
Notify interested parties
After submitting DS01, directors must notify relevant interested parties. This may include shareholders, employees, creditors, directors who did not sign the application and pension scheme managers or trustees where relevant.
Failure to notify the right people can create serious issues and may lead to objections or further consequences. If you are unsure who needs to be notified, take advice before proceeding.
Monitor The Gazette notice
Companies House will publish notice of the proposed strike-off in The Gazette. A two-month objection period then follows.
During this time, HMRC, creditors or other interested parties may object if there are unresolved debts, disputes or compliance issues. If no valid objection is made, the company can be struck off and dissolved.
Common mistakes when filing DS01 online
Many DS01 delays and objections come from a small number of recurring mistakes. These are the key issues to check before you file.
Filing with outstanding debts
If your company has unpaid creditors, HMRC liabilities or an outstanding Bounce Back Loan, DS01 may not be suitable. The application may be objected to, suspended or delayed. If the company cannot pay its debts, voluntary liquidation may be the more appropriate route.
Incorrect or incomplete information
Incorrect company numbers, mismatched director details or missing information can delay or prevent the application. Check all details against Companies House records before submitting.
Missing director approvals
The application cannot proceed without the required director approvals. If a director fails to respond to the approval request, the process may be delayed.
Failing to notify interested parties
Relevant interested parties must be notified after the application is made. This can include creditors, shareholders, employees and other directors. If people are missed, objections can follow.
Leaving assets in the company
If company assets remain when the company is dissolved, they may pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. Directors should deal with company assets before dissolution.
For more detail, visit our post on common mistakes to avoid when applying for company strike-off.
Not sure if your DS01 application is straightforward?
Our insolvency practitioners offer free, confidential advice to directors. We can help you understand whether DS01 is the right option and what to consider if it is not.
Can a DS01 application be stopped?
Yes. If you change your mind or circumstances changes, you can withdraw the application using form DS02.
Common reasons for this include:
- Change in business circumstances
- New investment opportunities
- Creditor claims discovered after filing
- Legal disputes arising
Interested third parties can also object to the striking off if they have legitimate grounds, such as outstanding debts, legal disputes, or regulatory investigations. Resolving these objections requires addressing the underlying issue, providing evidence to Companies House, and reaching an agreement with the objector. It may potentially involve withdrawing the DS01 application.
If an objection is raised during the Gazette notice period, Companies House will halt the strike-off process until the matter is resolved.
What happens after your company is struck off?
Once Companies House confirms dissolution, your company ceases to exist as a legal entity. As a director, you will no longer be legally responsible for the company’s affairs. Any contracts or agreements in the company’s name become void, and shareholders lose their ownership rights.
Any remaining assets will automatically pass to the Crown as “bona vacantia”. It is therefore essential to:
- Close business bank accounts
- Settle outstanding contracts or obligations
- Distribute remaining company assets
Ensure everything is wrapped up prior to submission. You can find more on this in our guide on how to strike off a company in the UK.
Why professional advice matters before filing form DS01
Many DS01 applications run into problems because a director assumes the company qualifies when there are still unresolved issues. Examples include an unpaid HMRC bill from a previous period, a Bounce Back Loan that has not been properly dealt with, a supplier invoice overlooked during the wind-down process or assets still held by the company.
At Anderson Brookes, our advice is free and carries no obligation. We can:
- Review whether DS01 appears suitable for your company
- Identify potential issues before you file
- Explain alternative closure routes if required
- Help you understand who needs to be notified
- Support you if a strike-off application has already been objected to
We’re here to support UK company directors through every stage of the closure process, ensuring clarity and legal confidence.
What are the alternatives to using DS01 for dissolution?
Filing a DS01 is suitable for companies that are dormant, solvent and ready to close without dispute. However, DS01 voluntary strike off is not the only way to close your company. Several alternatives exist depending on your company’s circumstances and financial position.
- Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) is required when your company cannot pay its debts. This formal insolvency process involves appointing a licensed insolvency practitioner to wind up the company and distribute assets to creditors.
- Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) applies to solvent companies with significant assets or reserves. Directors must make a statutory declaration of solvency before proceeding with this route.
- Compulsory liquidation occurs when creditors or other parties petition the court to wind up your company. This typically happens when companies fail to pay debts or comply with legal obligations.
- Company administration provides temporary protection whilst attempting to rescue the business or achieve better outcomes for creditors than immediate liquidation.
- Dissolution by court order may occur following successful legal proceedings against the company.
Choose the appropriate method based on your company’s solvency, assets, and trading status. If your company owes taxes, staff wages, or other liabilities, voluntary liquidation may be the safer legal route. Contact Anderson Brookes if you’re unsure which route suits your circumstances best.
Ready to close your company? Start with a free conversation.
Anderson Brookes gives directors clear, confidential advice before they take action. Speak to a specialist and check whether DS01 is the right route.
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit DS01 online?
You submit DS01 through the Companies House “close a company” service. You sign in, enter your company number and authentication code, confirm eligibility, collect director approvals, then pay the fee and submit the application.
Is DS01 the Companies House company closure form?
For voluntary strike off, yes. DS01 is the Companies House form used to apply to strike off and dissolve a company. If the company has debts or is insolvent, a formal insolvency process such as a CVL may be more appropriate. Other company closure forms to be aware of include DS02, which withdraws a strike-off application.
How long does the DS01 process take?
Typically, the process takes around three months from submission to dissolution. The timeline includes the mandatory two-month objection period following Gazette publication. Prompt action at each step helps prevent unnecessary delays.
Can I file DS01 if my company has debts?
No, all debts must be settled before applying. If your company has outstanding liabilities, consider voluntary liquidation.
Is it cheaper to file DS01 online than by post?
Yes. An online DS01 application costs £13. Paper submissions cost £18 and take longer to process.
Do I need WebFiling to file DS01 online?
Not necessarily. Companies House notes that the DS01 online service uses sign-in details that are different to WebFiling. You’ll also need the company authentication code and an email address for each person signing.
What if a creditor objects to the strike-off?
Companies House will pause the strike-off process. You’ll need to resolve the issue directly or seek professional help.
Can I start a new business after dissolving one?
Yes. However, you may not reuse the same company name (known as phoenixing) for five years unless certain conditions are met.
How can I tell if DS01 is the right option?
This will depend on your company’s financial health and activity status. Anderson Brookes is here to provide personalised advice on the best route for closing your company.
If your company is facing financial difficulties, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Anderson Brookes today for expert, confidential advice tailored to your situation.