If you run a limited company in the UK, you are legally required to file a Confirmation Statement every year. But despite how important it is, many business owners either do not know what it is or think it is the same as filing their annual accounts.
It is not. The Confirmation Statement is a separate filing that keeps your company details up to date on the public record. It confirms your key information for Companies House, and missing it comes with consequences—starting with fines and ending with the risk of being struck off.
This guide explains what the Confirmation Statement is, when it is due, what it needs to include, and how to make sure you file it correctly every time.
A Confirmation Statement is a document submitted to Companies House to confirm that the information they hold about your company is accurate. It replaced the Annual Return in 2016, but the purpose is the same: keeping the public register up to date.
Your Confirmation Statement includes:
The registered office address
The company’s principal business activities (via SIC codes)
Details of directors and company secretary if appointed
Shareholder information and share structure
People with Significant Control (PSC)
A statement confirming that everything is still correct
You must file a Confirmation Statement even if nothing has changed in the last year. It is a legal requirement.
One of the most common mistakes is thinking the Confirmation Statement is part of your annual accounts. It is not.
Annual accounts show your company’s financial performance and are filed for tax and compliance purposes. They include profit and loss, balance sheet, and supporting documents.
The Confirmation Statement updates your company’s key details with Companies House. It is not financial. It is about structure, ownership, and contact information.
Both must be filed each year. They have different deadlines, formats, and filing methods.
Your Confirmation Statement is due every 12 months from either:
The date your company was formed, or
The date of your last Confirmation Statement
You must file the statement within 14 days of the end of that 12-month review period. So, if your company was formed on 1 March, your statement is due no later than 14 March the following year.
You can submit the statement early, and you can file more than one per year if your details change, but you must submit at least one annually.
Companies House does not apply a financial penalty for a late Confirmation Statement the way HMRC does with late tax returns. But the consequences are still serious.
If you miss the deadline:
Your company status may be marked as “Overdue”
You may receive warning letters or emails
Continued non-compliance can lead to compulsory strike-off proceedings
Your company can be removed from the register and cease to legally exist
Once a company is struck off, any assets it holds - including bank balances - can become property of the Crown. This is not something to take lightly.
It also reflects badly on your business reputation. Clients, lenders, and suppliers can view your filing history online. A missed Confirmation Statement sends the wrong message.
You can file your Confirmation Statement:
Online through the Companies House web portal
By post using form CS01
Through your accountant or company secretarial provider
Most businesses choose to file online. It is faster, cheaper (£13 instead of £40 for paper), and allows you to make changes digitally.
Before you file, you should review your company details and make any necessary updates. This may include:
Director appointments or resignations
Changes to your registered office
Updates to your SIC code or business activity
New shareholders or changes to shareholdings
Changes in People with Significant Control
You cannot make every type of update in the Confirmation Statement itself. Some changes, like a new director or office address, must be reported separately using the correct forms before you file the statement.
Once submitted, you will receive confirmation that it has been accepted. It then appears on the public record.
Many directors ask why they need to file a Confirmation Statement if there have been no changes in the last year. The answer is simple: it confirms that your public record is still correct.
Companies House relies on these submissions to ensure the register is accurate. Even if your company has been inactive or dormant, you are still responsible for confirming the information annually.
It is not about change. It is about confirmation.
Some of the most frequent errors we see include:
Forgetting to file the statement altogether
Assuming the accountant will do it when no agreement is in place
Filing a Confirmation Statement without updating key changes first
Submitting the statement but failing to update shareholder information
Using the wrong SIC code, which affects visibility and funding applications
Filing by post and assuming Companies House will notify you of issues
Each of these mistakes is avoidable. With the right structure and support, filing your Confirmation Statement can take less than 15 minutes.
At Allied Financial Group, we help clients stay ahead of all Companies House requirements, including Confirmation Statements.
Our services include:
Tracking your due dates and filing deadlines
Reviewing your records for accuracy before submission
Updating director, shareholder, or office details as needed
Filing your Confirmation Statement with Companies House
Managing all your company secretarial obligations in one place
We ensure your company record stays clean and professional. If anything changes during the year - such as a change in shareholding, business activity, or company address - we will handle the updates before your statement is due.
This means you avoid late filings, missed steps, and reputational risk.
Compliance does not need to be stressful or overlooked. With the right partner, you stay informed and protected while focusing on running your business.
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