What is a confirmation statement? (and how to file one)

Every year, thousands of UK company directors face penalties for missing a simple administrative deadline. If you're a company director or involved in a UK limited company or LLP, understanding how to submit your confirmation statement is essential for maintaining your business’s legal standing and avoiding penalties.

This guide will explain what a confirmation statement is, why it matters, and how you can file your annual confirmation statement with Companies House. We'll walk you through the specifics, providing clear steps and addressing common queries.

If you need advice about your company's filing obligations or have queries about your confirmation statement, you should consult a qualified accountant or legal professional who can assess your individual or business circumstances.

What exactly is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is a snapshot of your key company information at a specific point in time. It's a statutory document that companies and LLPs in the UK must file with Companies House via the confirmation statement service on GOV.UK at least once a year. Think of it as your annual check-in with the registrar, confirming that the information they hold about your business is accurate and up to date.

The confirmation statement is about the corporate governance and structural details of your business rather than its financial performance. It ensures transparency and accuracy in the public register, which matters to anyone wishing to do business with you, from potential investors to customers and suppliers.

Why is a confirmation statement important?

Filing your confirmation statement serves several critical purposes:

• Legal compliance – It's a statutory requirement. The Corporate Transparency Act means that failure to file on time is a criminal offence for the company directors and can lead to prosecution, fines, and your company being struck off the register. Losing your company registration means you cease to exist as a legal entity.
• Transparency and trust – The information on the public register is used by customers, suppliers, banks and other businesses to verify your company's ownership, legitimacy and stability. Accurate, up-to-date information builds trust and credibility.
• Protection against fraud – Keeping your records accurate helps prevent identity fraud and ensures that your company's details cannot be misused.
• Maintaining active status – Your company will be marked as 'active' on the Companies House register when you meet your filing obligations. This is crucial for accessing banking services (like a Zempler Bank business account), getting credit and entering into contracts.

What information does a confirmation statement include?

When you prepare your confirmation statement, you'll review and confirm several key pieces of information about your company:

Company number and name

You'll confirm the full legal company name of your business and its unique company registration number.

Registered office address

Your company's official registered office address must be a physical address in the UK (not a PO Box) where all official correspondence from Companies House and HMRC will be sent. You'll confirm this address, and if it's changed, you'll need to update it. It’s worth noting that any change in a company’s registered address means that Companies House need to be notified within 14 days of the change. 

Director and company secretary details

You'll need to confirm the names, service addresses, nationalities, dates of birth and occupations of all current directors and, if applicable, the company secretary. Any appointments, resignations or changes to these details since your last filing must be reflected.

Share capital and shareholder information

For companies limited by shares, you'll need to provide a statement of capital. This includes:

• The total number of shares of each class
• The aggregate nominal value of those shares
• The aggregate amount unpaid on those shares
• Current trading status
• Details of shareholders (members) including their names, addresses and the number of shares they hold.

If you have more than five shareholders, you might only need to provide full details of any new shareholders or those whose holdings have changed.

SIC Codes (Standard Industrial Classification)

SIC codes describe the nature of your company's business activities. You need to ensure the SIC codes registered with Companies House reflect what your company does. You can have up to four SIC codes. If your business activities have changed, you'll need to update these. You can search for the correct SIC codes using the official SIC code lookup tool.

PSCs (People with Significant Control)

This is a critical section. A PSC is someone who owns or controls more than 25% of your company's shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company. You must provide their:

• Name
• Service address
• Country of residence
• Nationality
• Date of birth (month and year will appear on the public register; the full date is submitted but not displayed publicly)
• Nature of control

The PSC register is a cornerstone of corporate transparency in the UK, designed to prevent illicit financial activities. You must ensure this information is correct and up to date. Read the full PSC guidance on GOV.UK.

Who needs to file a confirmation statement?

The requirement to file a confirmation statement applies to a broad range of entities registered with Companies House:

• All UK Limited companies – This includes both private limited companies (Ltd) and public limited companies (PLC). If your company is incorporated in the UK, this applies to you.
• Limited Liability Partnerships – LLPs also have a statutory obligation to file a confirmation statement, providing similar details about their members and registered office.
• Societies and other entities – Certain other entities, such as societies registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, may also have to file confirmation statements. Check your specific entity's regulations.

When do you need to file your confirmation statement?

Understanding the timing is as crucial as understanding the content.

The review period

Every company has a review period for its confirmation statement. This period starts on the date of your company's incorporation and ends on its anniversary, or on the anniversary of your last confirmation statement. Companies House will issue reminders as your review period approaches.

The confirmation statement confirms the information as it was on the last day of this review period.

Your filing deadline

You have 14 days from the end of your review period to file your confirmation statement. For example, if your company was incorporated on 1 January, your review period ends on 31 December, and your deadline to file is 14 January of the following year.

File well before this deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.

Penalties for late filing

The consequences of late filing are significant:

• Criminal offence – Failing to file your confirmation statement on time is a criminal offence for the company's directors.
• Prosecution – Directors can face prosecution by enforcement bodies, personal fines and a criminal record.
• Company struck off – The registrar can begin proceedings to strike your company off the register. This means your company would cease to exist, and its assets could pass to the Crown. Reinstating a struck-off company is a complex and costly process.
• Loss of credibility – A company with a history of late filings can appear irresponsible and unprofessional, which impacts its ability to secure financing, attract partners and gain customer trust.

Don't ignore Companies House reminders. They help you stay compliant.

Pre-filing checklist

Before you start filing your confirmation statement, gather the following information:

• Company registration number
• Current registered office address
• Full details of all current directors (names, dates of birth, nationalities, service addresses, occupations)
• Company secretary details (if applicable)
• Complete list of People with Significant Control (PSCs) including their details and nature of control
• Current share capital information (number of shares, classes, nominal values)
• Details of all shareholders and their holdings
• Up-to-date SIC codes that reflect your business activities
• Details of any changes since your last filing (resignations, appointments, address changes)
• Company authentication code (for online filing)
• Payment method (debit/credit card for online filing)

Having all this information ready before you start will make the filing process quick and straightforward.

How to file your confirmation statement

Filing your confirmation statement is a straightforward process, especially if your company details have remained unchanged.

Companies House offers two primary methods:

Option 1: online via Companies House

This is the most common and recommended method – it’s quick, efficient and cost-effective.

1. Access the Companies House service – Go to the official Companies House website and log in to your company's online account. If you don't have one, you'll need to register using your company authentication code.
2. Locate your company – Find your company on the Companies House dashboard.
3. Start the confirmation statement process – Select the option to file your confirmation statement. The system will pre-populate the form with the information Companies House holds for your company.
4. Review and confirm – Review every section (company details, directors, PSCs, share capital, SIC codes).
5. Make any necessary changes – If there have been any changes since your last statement, update them in the online form. For example, if a director has resigned, mark them as resigned and provide the date. It’s worth noting that Companies House has to be notified within 14 days of any changes to company directors.
6. Submit and pay – Once you're satisfied all information is accurate, submit the statement. There's a £50 fee for online filing. This fee applies even if you file multiple confirmation statements within the same 12-month period.

Option 2: by post with Form CS01

While less common now, you can still file your confirmation statement by post.

• Download Form CS01 – Get the Form CS01 (Confirmation Statement) from the Companies House website.
• Complete the form – Fill out the form with all required details. This includes listing all current directors, PSCs, share capital information and SIC codes.
• Attach relevant forms for changes – If there have been any changes to your company's details (like a new director or registered office), you'll often need to file separate forms before or alongside your CS01 to record these changes. The CS01 then confirms the updated information.
• Send by post – Send the completed Form CS01 to Companies House. The postal filing fee is £110. So filing online is both cheaper and faster.

What if there are no changes?

If all the information Companies House holds about your company is still accurate, and there have been no changes since your last filing, the process is simple. You confirm that the details are correct, pay the fee, and submit. The online system makes this a matter of a few clicks.

What if there are changes?

If there have been changes like a new director, a change of address, or an updated PSC, you must update these details with Companies House. For most changes you can do this during the online confirmation statement process. The system will guide you through updating the relevant sections.

For some changes you might need to file a separate form, such as a Form NM01 for a change of company name, within the statutory time limits, which can be before or at the same time as your confirmation statement. Refer to Companies House guidance if you're unsure about the specific forms required for particular changes.

What if you need to correct a mistake after filing?

Mistakes happen. If you've filed your confirmation statement and later discover an error, you can correct it. You'll need to file a Form RP04 (Application to rectify an omission or error on the register), which informs Companies House of the mistake and provides the correct information. Do this as soon as you notice the mistake to maintain accurate public records.

Common mistakes to avoid when filing

The most frequent errors directors make when filing their confirmation statements can be avoided if you know what to watch for.

Forgetting to update PSC information

Many directors forget to update their PSC register when shareholdings change. Even if someone drops from 30% to 24% ownership, you must remove them from the PSC register. Always review your PSC information before filing.

Using old director details

If a director has moved house or changed their service address, you must update this information. Using outdated addresses can mean important legal documents don't reach the right person.

Incorrect share capital calculations

When shares have been issued or transferred during the year, directors sometimes report the wrong aggregate nominal value or number of shares. Double-check your share register matches what you're filing.

Missing the 14-day deadline

Don't wait until the last day of your 14-day window. Technical issues, payment problems and discovering errors can all delay filing. Aim to file at least a week before your deadline.

Filing before making other changes

If you need to change your company name, appoint a new director or make other structural changes, file those forms first. Your confirmation statement should confirm information that's already on the register, not update it for the first time (except for minor updates which can be done during the confirmation statement process).

Not keeping your own records updated

Your confirmation statement should match your internal company records. If they don't align, you risk filing incorrect information. Keep a company register book or digital records that you update throughout the year.

How much does a confirmation statement cost?

The cost of filing your confirmation statement depends on your chosen method:

• Online filing: £50
• Postal filing: £110

There are no additional fees, regardless of how many changes you make to your company information. The fee is the same whether you're confirming that nothing has changed or updating multiple directors and shareholders. When it comes to updating any directors and shareholders, make sure you notify Companies House within 14 days of any changes.

You can pay for online filing with a debit or credit card. For postal filing, you'll need to include a cheque made payable to 'Companies House'.

Confirmation statement deadline calculator

To work out your confirmation statement deadline:

1. Find your last confirmation statement date – or your business incorporation date if you've never filed one.
2. Add 12 months – this is the end of your review period.
3. Add 14 days – this is your filing deadline.

Example: Last confirmation statement date was 15 March 2026. Your review period ends 15 March 2027. Your filing deadline is 29 March 2027.

Companies House will send you email reminders (if you've provided an email address) as your deadline approaches.

Confirmation statement vs. annual accounts: what's the difference?

This is a common point of confusion. Here's the difference:

Confirmation statement

• Purpose: To confirm and update the company's non-financial, structural information (directors, shareholders, registered address, PSCs, SIC codes)
• Frequency: At least once every 12 months
• Content: A snapshot of corporate governance details
• Fee: £50 online, £110 by post

Annual accounts (or statutory accounts)

• Purpose: To report on the company's financial performance and position over a financial year (also required for tax compliance with HMRC)
• Frequency: At least once every financial year
• Content: Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, Notes to the Accounts, and often a Director's Report
• Fee: No separate filing fee to Companies House (though your accountant will charge for preparation)

Both are mandatory but serve different functions. You must file both documents annually, and they have separate deadlines.

Confirmation statement: key takeaways for your business

The confirmation statement is a cornerstone of corporate compliance in the UK. By understanding its purpose and requirements, you can ensure your business remains in good standing.

• It's mandatory – All UK limited companies and LLPs must file a confirmation statement at least once a year.
• It's about company structure, not finances – Focus on directors, shareholders, PSCs and addresses.
• Don't miss the deadline – File within 14 days of your review period end to avoid penalties.
• Online is best – The Companies House online service is the most efficient and cost-effective way to file.
• Keep records updated – Ensure all changes to your company's details are reflected promptly.

By managing your confirmation statement obligations, you're complying with the law. You're also safeguarding your company's reputation, legal status and future opportunities. Make it a routine part of your annual business administration.

With your company details up to date and your compliance in order, you'll be well-positioned to focus on growing your business. A Zempler Bank business account can help you manage your business finances efficiently.

If you need specific advice about your company's filing obligations or have complex queries about your confirmation statement, consult a qualified accountant or legal professional who can assess your individual circumstances.