Company status explained (Active, Dissolved & more)
A company’s status is the official state of its registration at Companies House. The most common values are Active (on the register, not dissolved), Dissolved (closed and removed), Liquidation and Administration (insolvency processes), and “Active proposal to strike off” (being removed, usually for overdue filings). Status describes the registration — not, on its own, whether the business is trading.
What each status means
Active: the company exists on the register and has not been dissolved. This includes both trading and dormant companies. Dissolved: the company has been closed and removed; it no longer legally exists. Liquidation: the company is being wound up and its assets distributed. Administration: an administrator is running the company to try to rescue it or get a better result for creditors. Active proposal to strike off: Companies House has started removing the company, typically because filings are overdue.
Other statuses you may see include “In Receivership”, “Voluntary Arrangement” (a CVA), and “Converted/Closed” for companies that have changed form.
Frequently asked
Is “Active” the same as “trading”?
No. Active means registered and not dissolved. A dormant company is also active. Check accounts and activity to judge whether it is actually trading.
Can a dissolved company come back?
Yes, a dissolved company can be restored to the register by court order or administrative restoration, within set time limits.
What is the difference between liquidation and administration?
Liquidation winds a company up and ends it; administration is a rescue or asset-protection process that may lead to recovery, sale or liquidation.
How do I monitor status changes?
Company Shark’s Trading Signals and Daily Reports flag status changes and new filings on companies you watch.
Related guides
Put this into practice
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