Short answer. Status describes the company's position on the register. Active means the company exists and has not been dissolved. It does not mean the company is trading, solvent, well run or a safe supplier.
The statuses you will see most
- Active: registered and not dissolved.
- Dissolved: removed from the register; the company no longer exists as a legal entity.
- Liquidation: an insolvency or winding-up process is recorded.
- In administration or receivership: an insolvency procedure is in place.
- Active - proposal to strike off: a step towards removal has been started, often after missed filings or a voluntary application.
What status is evidence of
That the register records a particular state on a particular date. Where the register supplies extra detail, such as a strike-off proposal, we show it alongside the status.
What status is not evidence of
Trading activity, turnover, solvency, whether invoices get paid, or whether the people behind the company are reliable. A newly incorporated active company has no track record at all. An active company can still fail to deliver.
Using status sensibly when checking a supplier
- Confirm you have the right legal entity, using the number rather than the brand.
- Note the status and any status detail, with the date you checked.
- Look at filing dates and history for signs the company keeps its record current.
- Ask the business directly for anything the register cannot tell you, such as references, insurance or accounts.
See how to research a supplier using public company records for a fuller sequence.
This guide is general information about public company records, not legal, tax or financial advice. Independent service. Not affiliated with Companies House or GOV.UK.