Form SH01 — Return of allotment of shares

What is SH01 Return of allotment of shares?

When a company issues new shares after it has been set up, for example to bring in an investor, reward a director or issue bonus shares, it must tell Companies House within one month under section 555 of the Companies Act 2006. Form SH01 is that return.

It records when the shares were allotted, how many of each class, their nominal value and what was paid for them, and any non-cash consideration. It then gives a statement of capital: the company's whole issued share capital after the allotment, one table per currency, with the prescribed particulars of the rights attached to each class. A director or other authorised officer signs it.

FileIt asks for each row once, works out the aggregate nominal values and the totals for each currency, adds the grand totals with different currencies shown separately, and prints everything onto Companies House's own SH01 PDF. Companies House asks you to file online where you can, and FileIt never files it for you.

Who needs to fill out SH01 Return of allotment of shares?

• Limited companies that have issued new shares to existing or new shareholders.
• Companies issuing bonus shares, or shares paid for with something other than cash.
• Not for the subscribers' shares when the company was formed (they're in the incorporation application), or for an unlimited company allotting a new class of shares.

When to use SH01 Return of allotment of shares

• Within one month after shares are allotted.
• Once for a single allotment date, or for allotments over a period with a 'from' and 'to' date.
• When you're filing on paper instead of through Companies House's online service.

What you need before you start

• The company number and exact registered name.
• The allotment date or dates.
• For each class allotted: the currency, number of shares, nominal value, and the amount paid and unpaid on each share, including any premium.
• Details of any non-cash consideration.
• The company's full issued share capital afterwards: each class, the number of shares and nominal value, per currency, and any amount still unpaid.
• The rights attached to each class (voting, dividends, capital and redemption), usually from the articles of association.

What’s on SH01 Return of allotment of shares

The 2026 edition has 4 pages. FileIt asks for it in 9 parts, and it is signed by Company (director or authorised officer):

1. Section 1: Company detailsCompany (director or authorised officer)
2. Section 2: Allotment datesCompany (director or authorised officer)
3. Section 3: Shares allottedCompany (director or authorised officer)
4. Section 4: statement of capital, currency table ACompany (director or authorised officer)
5. Section 4: statement of capital, currency table BCompany (director or authorised officer)
6. Section 4: statement of capital, currency table CCompany (director or authorised officer)
7. Total issued share capitalCompany (director or authorised officer)
8. Section 5: Prescribed particulars of rights attached to sharesCompany (director or authorised officer)
9. Presenter information (optional)Presenter

How to fill out SH01 Return of allotment of shares, step by step

1 Sections 1 and 2: Company and dates

The company number and name, then the allotment date, or a 'from' and 'to' date if the shares were allotted over a period.

2 Section 3: Shares allotted

Up to three rows of currency, class, number, nominal value and the amounts paid and unpaid per share, then any non-cash consideration.

3 Section 4: Statement of capital

The whole issued share capital after the allotment, not just the new shares. Use a table per currency. FileIt multiplies the number of shares by the nominal value and adds up the totals.

4 Total issued share capital

The grand totals across every currency table, which FileIt fills in, showing each currency separately.

5 Section 5: Prescribed particulars

For each class: voting rights, dividend rights, rights to capital including on winding up, and whether the shares are redeemable.

6 Section 6: Signature

Signed on behalf of the company by a director, secretary, person authorised, administrator, receiver or CIC manager.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Showing only the newly allotted shares in the statement of capital, instead of the company's whole issued share capital.
• Mixing currencies in one currency table.
• Leaving out the prescribed particulars for a class shown in the statement of capital.
• Using SH01 for the shares taken by subscribers on formation.
• Filing more than a month after the allotment.
• Adding different currencies together in the grand total instead of showing them separately.

After you fill it out

Print the SH01, check every page, and have a director or other authorised person sign section 6.

Post it to Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ (DX 33050 Cardiff), or file the allotment online. Use continuation pages if you need more rows.

Update the company's register of members and issue share certificates, then keep a copy in the company's folder in FileIt.

SH01 Return of allotment of shares: frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by Companies House: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69bbea434c478213a823ce3a/SH01_V8.0.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/return-of-allotment-of-shares-sh01
• Edition shown on this page: SH01 Version 8.0 (03/26) (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Companies House or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.

Related forms

All United Kingdom forms · Every form FileIt can fill