Companies House Strike-Off Objections Move Online Only From 1st December 2026

From 1st December 2026, objections to a limited company being struck off the Companies House register will normally have to be submitted through the online objection service. Companies House will stop accepting objections by email through the standard process. The change affects creditors, suppliers, shareholders and other interested parties who need to challenge a proposed company strike-off anywhere in the UK.

The right to object is not changing. What is changing is the way an objection is submitted. This guide explains who can object, the evidence you need, the deadlines to watch and what to do if you cannot use the online service.

What is changing on 1st December 2026?

From 1st December 2026, you will need to use the Companies House online service to submit a normal objection to a limited company being struck off. Companies House has confirmed that it will no longer accept objections by email after this date through the standard process.

The online service is already available, so this is a change to the submission route rather than the introduction of a new right to object. Companies House says the move is intended to make objections easier, quicker and more secure as part of its digital transformation work.

To use the service, you will need to:

• Have a Companies House account.
• Know the name and company number of the company facing strike-off.
• Upload digital documents that support your reason for objecting.

Companies House estimates that the online process should take around five minutes, provided you have the required information and evidence ready.

Who can object to a company being struck off?

You can object if you are a shareholder or another interested party and have a valid reason why the company should not be removed from the register. A common example is being owed money by the company.

Other reasons can include having an unresolved legal claim against the company or another matter that needs to be dealt with before it is dissolved. Creditors, suppliers and other people with a genuine interest in the company’s affairs may be able to object.

You must have evidence to support your objection. You cannot object simply because you disagree with the company being closed or want to delay the process without a relevant reason.

You can only submit an objection after the proposed strike-off notice has been published in The Gazette. The notice identifies the company and gives the date by which it is due to be struck off.

What evidence do you need to submit?

Companies House requires supporting documents that demonstrate why you are objecting. The current GOV.UK guidance says documents uploaded with an online objection must meet all of these conditions:

The documents must also support the reason you are giving for the objection. For example, if the company owes you money, an invoice showing the debt may be relevant evidence.

Check that the document is readable, includes the correct company name and is recent enough before uploading it. If you have several documents, make sure each file meets the size and format requirements.

How long do you have to object?

You must submit your objection before the company is struck off the register. The Gazette notice gives the relevant date. Companies House says the strike-off date will normally be either:

• Two months from the date of the Gazette notice; or
• 28 days from the date of the notice.

Do not assume every company has the same period. Check the actual notice for the company you are concerned about and submit your objection as soon as possible. Waiting until the final days risks leaving too little time to resolve missing information or evidence.

What if a company owes you money?

If a company that owes you money applies to be struck off, an objection may help prevent it from being dissolved while the debt or other issue is dealt with. You will need evidence to support your claim.

For example, imagine a tradesperson completes £3,000 of work for a limited company but has not been paid. The company then applies to be struck off and a notice appears in The Gazette. The tradesperson may be able to object using evidence such as invoices and relevant correspondence.

An objection does not recover the money or guarantee that the debt will be paid. It is a way of challenging the proposed strike-off. You may need to take separate steps to pursue the debt, including legal action where appropriate.

If you are a creditor, consider getting professional advice about the best way to protect your position. Do not assume that an objection alone will resolve the underlying dispute.

What happens after you submit an objection?

Companies House will tell you whether your objection has been successful. If it accepts the objection, the company will not be struck off for another six months.

This is a delay, not a permanent block on the company being dissolved. If the issue has not been resolved and you need more time, you must contact Companies House before the six-month period ends.

Companies House may ask you to show that you have made progress towards resolving the issue. For example, if the company owes you money, simply sending another invoice is unlikely to be enough. Evidence that you have started legal action to recover the debt may be relevant.

If the issue is resolved and you no longer object to the company being struck off, you should also tell Companies House.

What happens if you do not object in time?

If there is no successful objection and the company still meets the conditions for strike-off, Companies House can remove it from the register and the company will be dissolved.

Once the company has been dissolved, you cannot use the normal objection process. In certain circumstances, an interested party may be able to apply for a court order to restore the company to the register. Restoration is a separate legal process and is not automatic.

If you believe a company owes you money or you have another unresolved claim, it is important to act before the strike-off date rather than relying on the possibility of restoring the company later.

Does the change apply across the UK?

Yes. Companies House maintains the register for limited companies across the UK, so the move to online objections applies to companies registered in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Gazette publication depends on where the company is registered:

The online objection service is the same Companies House process. The Gazette carrying the notice depends on the company’s registration jurisdiction.

What if you cannot use the online service?

Companies House recognises that some people may be unable to use the online service or may need support because of a disability or health condition.

If you cannot object online, contact Companies House. It may be able to help you use the service or, depending on your circumstances, allow you to submit an objection by email or post.

If Companies House agrees that you can object by email or post, your objection must arrive at least two weeks before the company is due to be struck off. This is an important deadline. Do not leave it until the final days to contact Companies House if you think you will need an alternative arrangement.

The change therefore does not mean that every person must manage the process without support. However, email and post will no longer be the normal submission routes from 1st December 2026.

How can you monitor a company’s strike-off notice?

You can search for a company on the Companies House register and check its filing history and status for information about a proposed strike-off. You can also follow a company through the register to receive email alerts when its record changes.

You should also check the relevant Gazette for the formal strike-off notice. If you are a creditor or have an unresolved claim, do not rely solely on being contacted by the company before it is dissolved.

Search the Companies House register →

General information only. This article explains the Companies House objection process based on official guidance available on 6th November 2026. It is not legal or financial advice and cannot assess an individual claim or dispute. Check the current Companies House guidance and seek professional advice if you need to object to a particular company being struck off.