What Is a Confirmation Statement

If you run a limited company in the UK, sooner or later you will receive an email from Companies House telling you that your confirmation statement is due. For many first-time directors that email raises an immediate question: what is a confirmation statement, and do I really have to do it? The short answer is yes, you do, and it is far less scary than it sounds. This guide explains the filing in plain English, covers what you need to confirm, and shows how to get it done without drama.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is a short annual filing made to Companies House. It is the way a company confirms that the information held on the public register is correct and up to date. The official form is called the CS01, and it replaced the old annual return in 2016. Despite the name, you are not asked to prove anything with paperwork. You simply tell Companies House that the details they hold are right, or you update them if they are not.

Every UK limited company must file one at least once every 12 months, whether it is trading, dormant, profitable or making a loss. Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) file a similar statement. The filing is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006, which is why ignoring it can end in real consequences.

What does a confirmation statement cover?

The statement confirms a handful of core details about your company. You will be asked to check:

Your registered office address, which is the official address for legal post.
Your registered email address, which Companies House uses for official contact.
The names and details of your directors, and your company secretary if you have one.
The people with significant control (PSCs), meaning those who own or control the company.
Your shareholders and the share capital structure, where a statement of capital applies.
Your SIC codes, which describe the nature of your business activities.
The location of your statutory registers, if they are not kept at the registered office.
A statement that the company’s intended future activities are lawful.

If everything is unchanged, you confirm it. If something has changed during the year, you update it as part of the filing or, for some changes, you will already have notified Companies House separately.

Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?

No, and this is one of the most common points of confusion. The confirmation statement is about who is behind the company and how it is set up. Annual accounts are about the company’s finances. They are separate filings with separate deadlines, and you must do both. Filing one does not satisfy the other. You can read more in our guide on confirmation statements versus annual accounts, and see our full confirmation statement guide for the wider picture.

Who has to file one?

Almost every company registered at Companies House has to file. That includes:

Private limited companies, whether they trade or not.
Dormant companies that have never traded.
Newly incorporated companies, who file their first statement within 12 months of incorporation.
Limited liability partnerships.
Public limited companies.

If you are a director of a dormant company you still need to file, although the process is usually quick. Our dormant company confirmation statement service covers exactly this situation.

How often and by when?

Your company has a confirmation statement date, which is the date to which the information must be correct. After that date there is a 14-day window, known as the review period, in which you can check the details and file. The filing must reach Companies House no later than 14 days after the end of the review period. In practice, you have a 28-day window from the confirmation statement date to file, and Companies House will email you as the date approaches.

You can file early, once the review period for your next statement has started. Many directors choose to file as soon as they receive the reminder so that it is out of the way. See our guide to working out when your confirmation statement is due.

How do you file a confirmation statement?

You can file online using the Companies House service, using your company authentication code, or you can ask an accountant or filing agent to do it. The steps are broadly:

Gather your company name, registered number and authentication code.
Review each section and make any updates to officers, PSCs, shareholders or SIC codes.
Confirm the statement and pay the Companies House fee.
Wait for the confirmation email that the statement has been accepted.

If you would rather not deal with the portal, a specialist service can file it for you. Our online confirmation statement filing service handles the entire process, with the Companies House fee included in a fixed price.

What does it cost?

Companies House charges a statutory fee for filing, which is currently £50 for an online confirmation statement. On top of that, an accountant or agent will charge for their time. Fixed-fee services are the easiest to budget for. Our confirmation statement cost guide explains what to expect and how to avoid hidden extras.

What happens if you do not file?

Failing to file is a criminal offence for the company and for every officer in default. Companies House may begin the process of striking the company off the register, and directors can face prosecution and fines. Unlike late annual accounts, there is no automatic financial penalty for a late confirmation statement, but the enforcement route is arguably more serious because a struck-off company loses its legal existence and its assets can pass to the Crown. Read what happens if you miss the deadline if you are already late.

Common questions from directors

Many directors ask whether the statement needs to be signed, whether it requires an accountant, or whether it can be filed with no changes. The statement is submitted electronically and does not need a physical signature. You do not need an accountant, but many directors prefer professional help because a mistake on a public record can create problems later. And yes, you can file with no changes, which is the most common scenario.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to file a confirmation statement if my company is dormant?

Yes. Every company on the register, including dormant ones, must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months.

Is a confirmation statement the same as an annual return?

It is the replacement for the annual return. The annual return was abolished in 2016 and the confirmation statement took over its role.

Can I file a confirmation statement myself?

Yes. The Companies House online service lets any director file with the company authentication code. A professional service simply takes the work off your plate.

How long does it take to file?

The online form takes around 10 to 15 minutes if your details are up to date. Companies House usually confirms acceptance within a day, often within hours.

Final thoughts

A confirmation statement is a simple but compulsory yearly check that keeps the public record accurate. Treat the Companies House reminder as a prompt rather than a problem. If you want it done quickly and correctly, our team of regulated London accountants can file it for you in two working days.

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.

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What Is a Confirmation Statement? A Plain-English Guide for UK Directors