How to object to a company being struck off

Who can object to a company being struck off

GOV.UK says any interested party can object to a company being struck off the register and dissolved. In practice that usually means a creditor or supplier the company owes money to, a shareholder, an employee, or someone with a legal claim against the company.

You need a real reason to keep the company on the register. Objecting because you dislike the company, or without evidence, will not work. You do not need to be a director of the company to object.

Source: Object to a limited company being struck off

Valid reasons to object

GOV.UK and Companies House give these as examples of reasons to object. You must have evidence to back up whichever reason you rely on. Only the invoices and bills example comes from Companies House. The other evidence ideas are our own suggestions, not an official list.

Source: Companies House blog: objecting to a company being struck off

The timing window: when you can object and the deadline

You can only object after Companies House has published a notice in The Gazette saying the company is going to be struck off. You cannot lodge an objection in advance.

The notice says when the company can be struck off. This is usually 2 months from the date in the notice. In some cases, such as where the company was registered using false information, it is 28 days.

Your objection must reach Companies House before the company is struck off. Where email or post is allowed, GOV.UK says the objection must arrive at least 2 weeks before the company will be struck off. Whatever route you use, do not wait until the last few days.

If the company has already been struck off, it is too late to object. You would need to look at restoring a dissolved company, which for many people means applying to court for an order.

Source: Object to a limited company being struck off: make an objection

From 1 December 2026: objections must be made online

Companies House announced on 1 September 2026 that from 1 December 2026, objections to limited companies being struck off must be submitted through its online service only. Email objections will no longer be accepted after that date.

To use the online service you need to create a Companies House account, give the company name and number, and upload your supporting documents. Companies House says it takes about 5 minutes. GOV.UK says to contact Companies House if you cannot object online or need support because of a disability or health condition.

Source: Objections to company strike off to be submitted online only from 1 December 2026

Step by step

To object to a company being struck off online, you need a Companies House account, the company's name and number, and your evidence in a digital format. GOV.UK does not list a fee for making an objection.

1. Find the company on the Companies House register and note its exact name and company number. Check The Gazette notice for the date the company can be struck off.
2. Gather your evidence. Each document must be less than 6 months old, clearly show the full company name including the correct ending such as Limited or Ltd, support your reason for objecting, and be under 4MB. Accepted formats are images, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and PDF.
3. Sign in to, or create, your Companies House account and open the online objection service.
4. Enter the company details, explain your reason briefly and upload the documents.
5. Keep a copy of what you sent and any confirmation you receive.

Source: Object to a limited company being struck off: make an objection

What happens after you object

Companies House will tell you if your objection is successful. If it is, the company will not be struck off for another 6 months.

Use that time to deal with your issue, for example to chase the debt or start legal action. Before the 6 months end, tell Companies House if you need more time or if the matter is settled and you no longer object. To get more time you must show real progress, such as starting legal action. GOV.UK says repeated attempts, like sending more invoices, are not enough. If you do not contact Companies House and the company still meets the conditions, it will be struck off.

Source: Object to a limited company being struck off: after you object

If it is your own company facing strike off

If Companies House is striking off your own company because its accounts or confirmation statement are overdue, an objection does not replace the missing filings. GOV.UK tells the company to reply promptly to letters from the registrar and deliver any outstanding documents as soon as possible. Our guide to the First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off explains the timeline and what to file.

Source: Striking off or dissolving a limited company

Common mistakes when objecting to a strike-off

Check these points before you send an objection.

• Waiting too long: the Gazette notice period can be as short as 28 days, and email or post objections must arrive at least 2 weeks before the strike-off date.
• Uploading weak evidence: documents older than 6 months, or that do not show the company's full and correct name, may not support your objection.
• Emailing after 30 November 2026: from 1 December 2026, use the online service.
• Forgetting the 6-month follow-up: a successful objection only delays strike off. It does not stop it for good.
• Confusing this with closing your own company: that is a different process using form DS01, explained in how to close a limited company.

Source: Object to a limited company being struck off