DS01 Form
What is the DS01 form?
💡 Quick Answer
The DS01 form is used to apply for the voluntary strike off and dissolution of a limited company. A majority of the company’s current directors must approve the application. It costs £13 online or £18 on paper, and the company’s debts, assets, taxes and employees should be dealt with before applying.
The DS01 form is the official application used to voluntarily strike off a limited company and remove it from the Companies House register. Once the company is dissolved, it legally ceases to exist and any assets still owned by it may pass to the Crown.
Important: A DS01 application is normally most suitable where the company:
- Has stopped trading and has not carried on normal business activity during the previous three months
- Has dealt with its debts, tax affairs, employees and remaining assets
- Is not subject to liquidation, administration or another formal insolvency procedure
- Is not involved in unresolved legal action or creditor disputes
A company with debts may still apply, but creditors including HMRC can object and stop the strike-off process. If the company cannot afford to pay what it owes, a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation may be more appropriate.
DS01 Form Download & Submission
Download the DS01 Form (PDF): Official GOV.UK download
File Online via Companies House: Use the WebFiling service
| Submission method | Fee | Application processing |
|---|---|---|
| Online | £13 | Fastest option |
| Paper DS01 | £18 | Usually slower |
| Full strike-off process | — | Around 3 months if no objections |
How to Fill Out the DS01 Form (Step-by-Step)
What you’ll need:
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Company name and number
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Date the company resolved to dissolve
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Director signatures
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Payment (card or cheque depending on method)
Step-by-Step (Postal DS01):
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Download and print the DS01 form
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Fill in Section 1: Company details
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Section 2: Declaration & signatures (signed by majority of directors)
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Enclose the £18 fee (cheque)
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Send to:
Companies House
Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ
Who Must Be Notified After Filing a DS01 Form?
After submitting a DS01 application, the company must send a copy to certain interested parties within seven days.
This is a legal requirement and applies whether the application is made online or by post.
The company should normally notify:
- Creditors
- HMRC
- Employees
- Shareholders
- Pension trustees or managers
- Directors who did not sign the application
- Anyone who may become a creditor after the application is submitted
The copy should be sent to the person’s last known address.
If a new creditor or other interested party becomes known while the application is still active, they should also be sent a copy within seven days of the company becoming aware of them.
Failing to notify the relevant parties can delay or suspend the strike-off process and may expose directors to penalties.
Telling creditors before applying can be helpful, but it does not replace the legal requirement to send them a copy of the DS01 application after it has been submitted.
What Happens After You Submit a DS01 Form?
Companies House will review the application and, if it is accepted, publish a notice in The Gazette announcing the proposed strike off.
The company’s status may then appear as an Active Proposal to Strike Off while creditors and other interested parties are given an opportunity to object.
If no valid objection is received, Companies House will publish a further notice confirming that the company has been struck off and dissolved.
The full process usually takes around three months, although objections or unresolved company matters can cause delays.
Common reasons a paper DS01 is rejected
Companies House specifically highlights:
- A signatory’s printed name is missing.
- A signature date is missing.
- The form is not signed by a majority of directors.
- The £18 fee is missing.
- The company name or registration number is incorrect.
- The cheque is drawn from the company being struck off.
When DS01 is Not the Right Option
If your company still has debts, employees, assets or unresolved legal and tax matters, strike off may not be the most appropriate closure route. Creditors can object, and directors may face further scrutiny where company affairs have not been handled correctly.
In these circumstances, professional advice should be taken before submitting a DS01 application.
If the company is solvent but has significant retained profits or assets, a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation may provide a more suitable and potentially tax-efficient way to close it.
Need Help Closing Your Company?
We offer free, confidential advice to directors considering strike-off or liquidation. If you’re unsure which route is best, speak to a licensed insolvency expert today.
📞 Call our 24-hour helpline: 0800 088 2142
FAQs About the DS01 Form
Do resigned directors need to sign the DS01 form?
The application must be signed by a majority of the directors who are in office at the time of the application. Someone who has genuinely resigned is not required to sign merely because the public register has not yet updated. The company should, however, correct the register. Companies House confirms that a majority must sign; with two directors, both must sign, and with three directors, at least two must sign.
How long does it take to process a DS01 form?
Online applications are normally processed faster than paper forms, but the full company strike-off process usually takes around three months if no objections are raised.
This includes Companies House reviewing the application, publishing a notice in The Gazette and allowing creditors and other interested parties time to object.
Can I cancel a DS01 form after submitting?
If the company has not yet been struck off, you may apply to withdraw the application using form DS02. If it’s already been dissolved, you’d need a company restoration through the court.
Where should I send the DS01 form?
To Companies House (Cardiff office). DS01 forms are not submitted to HMRC.
What happens after submission?
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Companies House publishes a notice in The Gazette
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Objections can be raised for 2 months
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If no objections, the company is struck off
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You’ll receive a dissolution confirmation
