Fill and sign Form DS01 online
Applies to close a limited company by having it struck off the register.
Form DS01 at a glance
- Official name
- Apply to strike off and dissolve a company
- Issued by
- Companies House
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Category
- Business and companies
- Language
- English
- Who uses it
- Directors of small companies that have stopped trading.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Not stated. The paper DS01 must be signed by the sole director, both directors if there are two, or a majority if there are more. Companies House prefers that you apply online.
- Instructions
- Official Companies House page
Form DS01 is the application to strike a private limited company off the Companies House register so that it is dissolved. Open the official paper form from GOV.UK in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add the directors' signatures and dates, and download it to print and post. Everything happens in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Form DS01
Check the company can be struck off
Deal with company assets first, for example close bank accounts and transfer domain names. Assets left at dissolution pass to the Crown. Limited liability partnerships use form LL DS01.
Company details (section 1)
Enter the company name and number exactly as on the public register.
The application (section 2)
The directors confirm that nothing in sections 1004 or 1005 of the Companies Act 2006 prevents the application and that they will give copies to everyone who must be told.
Signatures (section 3)
The sole director signs if there is one, both sign if there are two, or a majority sign if there are more. Each gives their name and the date. Use the continuation page for more signatures.
Send it with the fee
Post the form with an £18 cheque or postal order payable to 'Companies House' to the address for your company's registration area on gov.uk/companies-house/offices. Online filing costs £13.
Send copies within 7 days
Within 7 days send a copy to everyone with an interest, such as creditors, employees, shareholders, pension trustees and any director who did not sign. Keep proof of posting.
What you need before you start
- The company name and number.
- Details of all directors who need to sign.
- A list of people who must receive a copy.
- The £18 fee for a paper application, or use the online service for £13.
What happens after you apply
Companies House checks the form and publishes a notice in The Gazette. If nobody objects, the company is struck off after the 2-month notice period and a second Gazette notice confirms it has been dissolved. The company bank account is frozen from the date of dissolution. See GOV.UK.
Common mistakes
- Not enough directors signing.
- Paying with a cheque drawn on the company's own account, which GOV.UK says you cannot do.
- Leaving money or assets in the company.
- Not sending copies to creditors and other interested people within 7 days, which is an offence.
- Using the paper form when you could file online for less.
Form DS01: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to strike off a company?
£13 online or £18 on the paper DS01 form, from 1 February 2026.
Who signs the DS01?
The sole director, both directors if there are two, or a majority of directors if there are more than two.
How long does a strike off take?
If nobody objects, the company is struck off about 2 months after the first Gazette notice.
Can I sign the DS01 electronically?
Companies House does not say for the paper form. You can avoid the question by applying online.
Is BunnyDoc connected to Companies House?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with Companies House. We link to the official form on GOV.UK and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with Companies House. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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