Form RT01 is the Companies House form used to apply for the administrative restoration of a dissolved UK company to the register. It is not a general “bring my company back” form: it is specifically for companies that meet the legal conditions for administrative restoration under the Companies Act 2006. For eligible companies, RT01 can be significantly simpler than going through the courts. But using it when the company does not qualify can waste time and lead to rejection.

As of February 2026, the fee for an RT01 application is £341. The application normally needs to be submitted with outstanding company documents, applicable fees and penalties, and a bona vacantia waiver letter where the dissolved company had assets. This guide explains what Form RT01 is, who can use it, when it is required, what documents go with it, what happens after submission, and when you need a court order instead.

What Is Form RT01?

RT01 stands for “Application for Administrative Restoration to the Register.” It is a Companies House form used by a former director or member of an eligible dissolved company to ask the Registrar of Companies to restore that company to the register. The current RT01 form is made under section 1024 of the Companies Act 2006. The form itself makes clear that it can only be used for administrative restoration and not for other types of restoration. In practical terms, RT01 is designed for a particular situation:

A company was struck off by the Registrar, but it should be brought back onto the Companies House register because the statutory requirements for administrative restoration are satisfied.

Once restoration takes effect, the company is generally treated as having continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved, subject to the statutory rules governing restoration. That can be important where the company had assets, contracts, tax matters, intellectual property or other rights that need to be dealt with.

When Do You Need Form RT01?

You need RT01 when you want to administratively restore a dissolved company and the company satisfies the relevant conditions. According to current Companies House guidance, you can apply for administrative restoration if:

• You were a director or shareholder/member of the company.
• The company was struck off and dissolved by the Registrar within the last six years.
• The company was trading or carrying on business when it was struck off.
• The company was not voluntarily struck off by its directors.

There are also specific statutory situations in which administrative restoration can apply, including certain Registrar strike-offs under sections 1000, 1001 or 1002A of the Companies Act 2006 and certain cases involving the registered-office rectification regulations. The simplest way to think about RT01 is: Registrar strike-off + eligible applicant + within six years + company was operating = potentially suitable for RT01. But that is only the starting point. The company's precise dissolution history should be checked before applying.

When Can You Not Use RT01?

This is just as important as knowing when you can use it.

Voluntary strike-off

You cannot use administrative restoration if the directors voluntarily applied to strike the company off the register. For example, suppose the directors filed a voluntary strike-off application because the business had stopped trading. The company was subsequently dissolved.

If they later discover that the company still owned an asset, they cannot simply submit RT01 to reverse the voluntary dissolution. Companies House states that a court order is required instead. This distinction catches many founders off guard because both situations involve a company disappearing from the register. Legally, however, the route by which the company was dissolved matters.

More than six years have passed

Administrative restoration is generally available only up to six years from the date of dissolution. If that period has expired, RT01 is not the appropriate route.

You were not entitled to apply

RT01 is not an application that anyone can submit simply because they have an interest in the company. The administrative route is available to a former director or member/shareholder who meets the relevant conditions. Other interested parties may have different routes to seek restoration through the courts.

What Information Does Form RT01 Require?

The current RT01 form is relatively short, but that does not mean the overall restoration process is simple. The form asks for the company's basic details, including:

• Company number
• Full company name
• Details confirming the applicant's status as a former director or member
• Confirmation that the conditions for restoration have been met
• Confirmation concerning outstanding fines or financial penalties
• The administrative restoration fee

The current version also requires the applicant to confirm that the relevant conditions have been satisfied.

Accuracy matters

Use the company's exact registered name and company number. This sounds obvious, but errors become more likely when a company has changed its name, moved registered offices, or has been dissolved for several years. Before completing RT01, check the company's historical record on Companies House rather than relying on memory or old paperwork.

What Documents Must Accompany RT01?

RT01 is only one part of the application package. The current RT01 guidance identifies several documents and payments that may need to accompany the application.

1. Outstanding accounts

You may need to submit outstanding accounts that should have been filed before dissolution. The exact filing position needs to be checked against the company's record and the rules governing restoration. Companies House says the registrar will normally disregard the period during which the company was dissolved when determining certain outstanding filing obligations. Do not assume that every accounting period during dissolution automatically creates another late filing obligation.

2. Outstanding confirmation statements

Outstanding confirmation statements may also need to be filed. These are the documents that keep Companies House informed about a company's registered information, including matters such as shareholders and company officers.

The current RT01 form specifically lists outstanding annual returns and/or confirmation statements, together with the relevant filing fees, among the restoration documentation.

3. Late filing penalties

Outstanding late filing penalties can also have to be dealt with. The current RT01 documentation refers to outstanding late filing penalties and states that the applicant must deal with relevant penalties and financial obligations before restoration. This can increase the total cost of restoring a company that was already behind on its filings.

4. Bona vacantia waiver letter

If the dissolved company had assets that became bona vacantia, a waiver letter may be required. When a company is dissolved, property and rights that belonged to it can pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. Companies House guidance says a written statement from the relevant Crown representative consenting to restoration is required where this applies. Potential assets can include:

• Bank balances
• Shares in other companies
• Land
• Buildings
• Intellectual property
• Trademarks
• Registered designs
• Certain leasehold interests
• Other company-owned property or rights

The former director or shareholder is responsible for obtaining the waiver. The current published cost for the Treasury Solicitor's bona vacantia waiver application is £64.

5. Form AD01, where applicable

The current RT01 form also identifies AD01, the notice of change of registered office address, where applicable. This becomes particularly relevant if the company's registered office was the Companies House default address when the company was struck off. In that situation, evidence may be required that the proposed new registered office is an appropriate address.

6. Form EM01, where applicable

The current RT01 documentation also refers to EM01, used to notify Companies House of a change of registered email address where applicable. This is an example of why applicants should use the current version of the RT01 form rather than relying on an old restoration checklist found online.

How Much Does Form RT01 Cost?

As of 1 February 2026, the Companies House fee for administrative restoration is £341. But £341 may not represent the total cost of restoring the company. Depending on the circumstances, you may also have to budget for:

The important distinction is between the RT01 fee and the company's wider restoration costs. A company with several years of missing filings may cost considerably more to restore than a company whose record is almost up to date.

How to Prepare Before Filing RT01

A good RT01 application starts before the form is completed.

Step 1: Check the Companies House record

Find out:

• The exact company name
• Company number
• Date of dissolution
• Why the company was struck off
• Filing history
• Last accounts filed
• Last confirmation statement
• Registered office history

The reason for dissolution is particularly important. If the company was voluntarily struck off, RT01 is not the correct route.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

Make sure you were a director or shareholder/member and that the six-year administrative restoration period has not expired.

Step 3: Identify company assets

Do not stop at the bank account. Look for:

• Cash
• Investments
• Shares
• Property
• Intellectual property
• Outstanding debts
• Deposits
• Tax repayments
• Contractual rights

A company that appears financially empty can still have valuable intellectual property or investments.

Step 4: Obtain the bona vacantia waiver if required

If assets became bona vacantia, deal with the waiver before submitting the restoration package. Companies House specifically says applicants must apply for a bona vacantia waiver where necessary.

Step 5: Prepare outstanding filings

Determine exactly which accounts, confirmation statements and other documents need to be filed.

Step 6: Deal with penalties and fees

Confirm what is outstanding rather than estimating. Companies House advises applicants to contact it if they need to establish what late filing penalties are due.

Step 7: Complete RT01

Only after the above checks should you finalise the application. This approach reduces the risk of submitting RT01 as an isolated document and then discovering that another required part of the package is missing.

A Realistic Example: When RT01 Makes Sense

Imagine ABC Digital Ltd was incorporated in England and Wales. The company traded for several years but the director stopped maintaining its filings. Companies House eventually struck it off and dissolved it. Eight months later, the former director discovers that:

• The company still owns a registered trademark.
• £6,000 remains in a business account.
• A customer owes the company £3,500.

The former director wants the company restored. Because the company was struck off by the Registrar, the former director was a director at dissolution, the company was operating when it was struck off and the dissolution occurred less than six years ago, administrative restoration may be available.

The director would then need to work through the RT01 requirements, including outstanding filings and any applicable penalties. Because the company had assets, the bona vacantia position also needs to be addressed through the appropriate waiver process. The important lesson is that RT01 is not merely about restoring a company name. It can be part of a process for putting corporate ownership and assets back into their proper legal structure.

What Happens After You Submit RT01?

Companies House reviews the application and supporting documentation. If the Registrar is satisfied that the legal requirements have been met, the company is restored. The current GOV.UK guidance states that the company is restored when the Registrar sends the confirmation letter.

The restoration has a significant legal effect: the company is generally treated as having continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off, subject to the statutory framework. However, restoration does not mean every practical matter is automatically resolved. You may still need to:

• Deal with banks and payment providers
• Update company information
• Complete tax-related work
• Recover assets
• Review contracts
• Resolve outstanding accounting matters
• Bring ongoing compliance up to date

Where money or property became bona vacantia, additional steps may be necessary to recover assets held or dealt with by the relevant Crown authority.

What If Companies House Rejects RT01?

A rejected RT01 does not necessarily mean the company can never be restored. The reason for rejection matters. For example, the application may fail because:

• The company does not qualify for administrative restoration.
• The applicant does not have the required status.
• The six-year period has expired.
• Required filings are missing.
• Required penalties have not been paid.
• A bona vacantia waiver has not been supplied.
• Information on the form is incorrect.
• The company was voluntarily struck off.

If administrative restoration is unavailable, a court restoration may be the appropriate alternative. GOV.UK specifically states that companies voluntarily struck off by their directors require a court order rather than administrative restoration. That process is more formal and normally involves court documentation and supporting evidence.

RT01 vs Court Restoration

The distinction can be summarised simply:

If you are unsure which route applies, establish the company's dissolution history before completing any form.

Why RT01 Matters for Global Founders

For international entrepreneurs, a dissolved UK company can create complications long after the business appears to have closed. A founder living outside the UK might discover that a dormant company still owns:

• A UK trademark
• Shares in another business
• Money in a bank or payment account
• A domain or other business asset
• Outstanding customer receivables

The founder may then need to restore the company before those assets can be properly dealt with. This is one reason maintaining accurate UK company records matters even when the people managing the business are based overseas.

IncorpUK operates in the UK company formation and management space for global founders, where understanding the lifecycle of a company — including what happens when it becomes inactive or is dissolved — is part of responsible corporate administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form RT01?

Form RT01 is the Companies House application used by an eligible former director or member to request administrative restoration of a dissolved company to the register. It is made under section 1024 of the Companies Act 2006.

How much does RT01 cost?

The current fee for an RT01 administrative restoration application is £341, following the fee update on 1 February 2026.

Can I use RT01 if I voluntarily dissolved my company?

No. Companies House states that administrative restoration is not available where the directors voluntarily applied to strike the company off. A court order may instead be required.

How long after dissolution can I use RT01?

Administrative restoration can generally be applied for within six years from the date of dissolution, provided the other statutory requirements are satisfied.

Do I need a bona vacantia waiver with RT01?

If the company had property or rights that became bona vacantia when it was dissolved, Companies House requires a written waiver from the relevant Crown representative for administrative restoration.

Do I need to file old company accounts?

You may need to submit outstanding accounts and other documents necessary to bring the company's records up to date. The exact filing position should be checked against Companies House records.

Can anyone submit an RT01?

No. Administrative restoration is available to qualifying former directors or members/shareholders. The applicant must also satisfy the other conditions for administrative restoration.

Does filing RT01 automatically restore the company?

No. RT01 is an application. The Registrar must consider whether the statutory requirements have been met. If the application is successful, restoration takes effect when Companies House sends the confirmation of restoration.

What if RT01 is not available?

If the company does not qualify for administrative restoration, a court restoration procedure may be available. The appropriate procedure depends on the circumstances and jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Form RT01 is the key document for administrative restoration of an eligible dissolved UK company. But completing RT01 is only one part of the process. Before filing, confirm that the company was struck off by the Registrar, that you are entitled to apply, that the dissolution occurred within the six-year period, and that the company was operating when it was struck off.

Then prepare the wider restoration package: outstanding accounts and confirmation statements, applicable filing fees and penalties, and a bona vacantia waiver where the company had assets. The current RT01 fee is £341. If the company was voluntarily struck off, RT01 is not the answer. A court restoration route may be required instead.

The safest approach is to treat RT01 as part of a complete restoration process rather than as a standalone form. Check the company's Companies House history first, establish the correct restoration route, use the latest version of the form, and make sure every supporting requirement is dealt with before submission.