ADMINISTRATIVE RESTORATION OF
A COMPANY (UK)
About Crichtons
Administrative Restoration Specialists
Crichtons Company Restorations Limited has over 15 years experience in the administrative restoration of companies, helping businesses across the UK restore dissolved companies quickly and efficiently. Our experienced team provides consistency and expertise in every case, ensuring that directors, shareholders, accountants, and solicitors receive reliable guidance throughout the process.
We have successfully completed hundreds of company restorations, assisting clients in reinstating dissolved companies and navigating Companies House administrative restoration procedures with ease. Whether you need to reinstate a company at Companies House, reopen a dissolved company, or simply seek expert advice if your company can be restored, Crichtons is your trusted partner for every step of the process..
What Is Administrative Restoration?
Administrative restoration is a Companies House procedure that allows a previously dissolved company to be officially reinstated, giving the business the opportunity to continue trading as if it had never been struck off.
This process is commonly used by directors, shareholders and accountants, who need to restore a dissolved company UK for operational, financial, or compliance reasons. Administrative restoration enables businesses to recover their previous status, regain access to company records, bank accounts, and contracts, and continue operations without court involvement.
When administrative restoration is the right option, it provides a faster and simpler way to restore a dissolved company UK compared to a Court Order, making it the preferred method for many businesses.
Who Can Apply and Eligibility
Not every dissolved company can be restored, so it’s important to understand who can apply for administrative restoration of a company and whether your business meets the criteria.
Who Can Apply
Generally, the following people are eligible to apply:
The former directors of the dissolved company
The former members (shareholders) of the dissolved company
These individuals are recognised by Companies House as having the authority to request a Companies House administrative restoration.
Administrative Restoration Process
Restoring a dissolved company doesn’t have to be stressful. The administrative restoration of a company through Companies House administrative restoration is a clear, step-by-step process. We can restore a company quickly, efficiently, and with confidence.
Step 1
RT01 Application and Fee
The first step in the administrative restoration of a company is to check whether your business is eligible and review all Companies House requirements. Once eligibility is confirmed, the official application is made using the RT01 form.
The current RT01 filing fee is £468.00, which is paid directly to Companies House on submission. To keep the process moving quickly, we collect all required disbursements in advance so there are no delays.
At Crichtons, we remove the stress from the process by preparing and submitting the RT01 application on your behalf, making sure every detail is correct the first time. This ensures your request to reinstate a dissolved company is handled efficiently and without unnecessary complications.
Step 2
Bring Filings Up to Date
Before Companies House will approve the administrative restoration of a company, all company records must be brought fully up to date. This includes:
Preparing and filing any overdue accounts
Submitting outstanding confirmation statements
Resolving any changes to directors, officers, or company addresses
Meeting all remaining Companies House requirements
At Crichtons, we go further by offering additional services to assist with dormant accounts, confirmation statements, or any other Companies House filings. If you or your accountants would prefer us to take care of these, we can prepare everything on your behalf.
It’s important that all documents are produced in the correct format—otherwise, Companies House may reject them, causing extra delays and additional charges. With over 15 years’ experience, Crichtons ensures that your restoration pack is prepared properly the first time, meaning that very often companies are restored in one go without unnecessary setbacks.
Step 3
Pay Late Filing Penalties
As part of the administrative restoration of a company, any late filing penalties relating to overdue accounts must be settled before Companies House will accept your application. These penalties are a standard requirement and must be cleared for the process to move forward.
To keep things simple and avoid delays, all late filing penalties are collected in advance (as outlined in Step 1). This ensures the restoration runs smoothly and that Companies House has everything it needs to proceed without interruption.
At Crichtons, we manage this on your behalf by issuing a cheque payment directly to Companies House, saving you time and giving you confidence that the penalties are correctly paid. By handling this step for you, we keep the process of reinstating a dissolved company quick and hassle-free.
Step 4
Bona Vacantia Waiver (Crown Consent)
If a company held assets at the time it was dissolved, those assets automatically passed to the Crown. To restore a dissolved company UK in these circumstances, a Bona Vacantia waiver letter is required. This is official consent from the Crown that allows the company to reclaim its assets and proceed with the Companies House administrative restoration process.
For companies registered in England and Wales, the waiver is issued by the Bona Vacantia Division (BVD).
For companies in Scotland, it is issued by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR).
In some cases, the Solicitors for the Duchy of Lancaster may also be involved.
As part of our service, Crichtons will manage all the necessary correspondence and obtain the required waiver letter on your behalf. This ensures the process is handled correctly and efficiently, giving you peace of mind that every step in reinstating your company is covered.
Step 5
Submit the Administrative Restoration to Companies House
Once all requirements have been met, Crichtons will collect all documents and payments to ensure the application pack is complete. When everything is ready, the full administrative restoration is submitted directly to Companies House for processing.
By carefully preparing and checking the format in advance, we make sure your application is accepted the first time, avoiding unnecessary delays. This final step brings you closer to successfully reinstating a dissolved company and restoring it back to the Companies House register. With all five steps completed, your company can be officially restored to the register. At Crichtons, we manage the entire administrative restoration process from start to finish — from checking eligibility and assisting with or preparing necessary filings with the authorisation of the company directors, to handling penalties, correspondence, and the final Companies House submission.
Our goal is to make the process smooth, accurate, and stress-free so you can confidently reinstate a dissolved company and get back to business without unnecessary delays.
Costs and Timescales
At Crichtons, our professional fees for the administrative restoration of a company are fixed and start from £135, in addition to any disbursements such as the RT01 filing fee or late filing penalties. This transparent pricing ensures there are no hidden costs, giving you confidence in the restoration process.
The typical timescale for administrative restoration is around 2–3 weeks, though this can vary depending on Companies House volumes and the specifics of each case. By preparing your restoration pack correctly and handling all correspondence on your behalf, Crichtons aims to make the process as quick and efficient as possible, helping you reinstate a dissolved company without unnecessary delays.
Administrative vs Court Restoration – Which Route Is Right?
Administrative Restoration
Suitable if the company was dissolved by Companies House and meets eligibility criteria.
Faster and more cost-effective.
Typically takes 2–3 weeks once all documents, filings, and fees are submitted.
Allows the company to reopen a dissolved company and continue trading legally.
Court Restoration
Required if the company does not meet administrative restoration eligibility or was dissolved voluntarily via DS01.
Longer and more costly.
Used for specific purposes such as recovering frozen funds or other assets.
Documents and Information We’ll Need
To make the administrative restoration of a company as fast and smooth as possible, having the right documents and information ready is essential. Here’s a helpful checklist:
Company name and number, and details of the last registered office.
Director and shareholder information.
Purpose of the restoration, confirming if you wish to continue trading.
Whether assets exist (bank funds, property)
Providing this information upfront allows Crichtons to prepare your restoration pack correctly, avoid delays, and help you reinstate a dissolved company efficiently and with confidence.
Administrative Restoration Frequently Asked Questions
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Administrative restoration is a procedure through Companies House that allows a dissolved company to be reinstated to the official register. It enables the company to resume trading and regain access to bank accounts, contracts, and records, making it an effective way to restore a dissolved company UK without going to court.
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Administrative restoration typically takes around 2–3 weeks, depending on the volume at Companies House. Because it is an administrative process rather than a court procedure, it is generally quicker and more straightforward than a Court Order, making it ideal for UK businesses that want to reinstate a dissolved company efficiently.
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Absolutely. Crichtons offers full support for administrative restoration, including assessing eligibility, assisting with or preparing necessary filings under director authorisation, managing correspondence, and submitting the final application to Companies House. Our experience ensures a smooth and reliable process to restore a dissolved company UK.
Speak to the Administrative Restoration Team
Call the Company Restoration team on 020 7504 1299 for further details of costs, timescales and who can apply for an administrative restoration.