The CS01 is the official Companies House form for a confirmation statement, and while it looks intimidating the first time you open it, the process is a logical sequence of checks. This step-by-step guide walks you through every stage so you know exactly what you will see on screen, what each question means and where directors most often go wrong.
What is the CS01?
CS01 is the form reference used by Companies House for the confirmation statement of a company. Since 2016 it has replaced the annual return. Most companies now file it online through the Companies House service, where it is presented as a guided set of screens rather than a paper form. The content is the same either way: a snapshot of your company’s key details at the confirmation date.
Step 1: Find your confirmation statement date
Before you begin, you need to know which date you are confirming. Your first statement date falls 12 months after incorporation. After that, it moves forward by 12 months each time you file. You will find the date on the Companies House register under the filing history and company overview, and in the reminder email. Our guide on how to find your confirmation statement date shows where to look.
Step 2: Gather what you need
Have the following to hand before you start:
- Your company name and 8-digit company number.
- Your six-character company authentication code.
- The names and correspondence addresses of directors.
- Details of anyone with significant control.
- A list of shareholders, if you have a statement of capital to update.
- The SIC codes that describe what the company does.
If you cannot find your authentication code, it can be requested from Companies House, and a code is sent by post to the registered office. This is why it is best to start well before the deadline.
Step 3: Check the registered office and email
The first screens ask you to confirm the registered office address and the registered email address. The office must be a physical address in the same part of the UK where the company is registered (England and Wales, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) and, since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, it must be an appropriate address where documents can be delivered and acknowledged. The registered email must be one that the company monitors, because Companies House uses it for official notices.
Step 4: Confirm officers
You will see a list of your current directors and, where there is one, the company secretary. Check that each name, date of birth and service address is correct. If a director has resigned or been appointed since the last filing, those changes should already have been reported on their own forms. The confirmation statement will not add or remove an officer by itself. If the register is wrong, file the relevant form first or consult an accountant. Our guide to appointing a director explains the process.
Step 5: Review PSC information
People with significant control are individuals or legal entities that own more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove a majority of the board, or otherwise exercise significant influence or control. The CS01 asks you to confirm that the PSC information on the register is correct. Mistakes here are very common after share transfers. See our guide to identifying your PSC.
Step 6: Check shareholders and statement of capital
If your company has share capital, the statement shows the total number and nominal value of shares, plus the rights attached to each class. Unless shares have been issued or transferred, this part usually stays the same. For a company with up to 50 shareholders, the full list of shareholder names is included in the statement. If there are more, only changes are reported. Our article on the statement of capital goes into more detail.
Step 7: Confirm your SIC codes
SIC codes describe the nature of your business. You can list up to four. If your activities have shifted since you incorporated, this is the right moment to update them. Choosing the correct code matters for how others see your company. See what a SIC code is and how to choose the right one, or use our SIC code change service if you want help.
Step 8: The lawful purpose statement
Since March 2024, directors must confirm that the intended future activities of the company are lawful. It is a simple tick-box statement but it is a formal declaration, so read it carefully. We cover this in our article on the lawful purpose statement.
Step 9: Pay the fee and submit
The final stage is paying the Companies House fee and submitting. After submission you will receive an email, usually within hours, confirming acceptance. Keep this email as proof. You can also check the filing history on the register to see that it appears.
Mistakes to avoid
- Filing without checking the details, assuming they are correct.
- Using an old registered office address that has since changed.
- Forgetting that PSC details changed after a share transfer.
- Filing too early, before the review period opens, and having it rejected.
- Leaving the filing until the final day when problems can arise.
When it is easier to let someone else do it
If you are juggling a business, the idea of logging into the portal and double-checking every section can feel like a chore. A professional service can prepare and file the CS01 for you, check your details against the register, and confirm when it has been accepted. Our confirmation statement filing service does exactly this for a fixed price that includes the Companies House fee.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CS01 the same as a confirmation statement?
Yes. CS01 is the Companies House form number for the confirmation statement. People use the two terms interchangeably.
Can I file a CS01 on paper?
Paper forms are still accepted in some cases, but online filing is faster and is the route most companies use.
What if I notice a mistake after filing?
You can file the correct information using the appropriate form, and you can file a new confirmation statement if needed. If the mistake is significant, speak to an accountant.
Do I need to include accounts with the CS01?
No. Annual accounts are a separate filing with a different deadline.
Summary
The CS01 is a short sequence of confirmations: office, email, officers, PSCs, shareholders, SIC codes and a lawful purpose declaration. Take it screen by screen, double check anything that has changed in the year, and file well before the deadline. If you want a second pair of expert eyes, we can handle it for you.
Related articles
- Who Needs to File a Confirmation Statement? UK Companies and LLPs
- How to File a Confirmation Statement Online (UK Step-by-Step)
- What Information Do You Need for a Confirmation Statement?
- The complete confirmation statement guide
Get a free filing date check
Not sure when your confirmation statement is due? Tell us your company name and we will check your date and email you back, free of charge.
Need help filing your confirmation statement?
We prepare and file confirmation statements for UK limited companies for a fixed £100 + VAT when you pay online, with the Companies House fee included. See our pricing, read our confirmation statement guide or contact us. London company? Start here.
Authorised and regulated accountants in London. ICAEW, ACCA and AAT qualified. A trading style of Accotax London Ltd. Filed within 2 working days, Companies House fee included.