Every UK limited company must file an annual Confirmation Statement (previously known as the Annual Return) with Companies House. It confirms that the information held on the public register about your company is accurate and up to date. Missing this filing has serious consequences, including the company being struck off the register.
What is a Confirmation Statement?
The Confirmation Statement (CS01) is an annual filing that confirms or updates the key details held about your company by Companies House. It is not a financial filing — it does not include profit and loss or balance sheet information. Its purpose is to confirm the accuracy of information on the public register.
What Information Does It Cover?
The Confirmation Statement confirms the following company details:
- Registered office address
- Directors and company secretary details
- Persons of Significant Control (PSC) — who owns or controls the company
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
- Share capital and shareholder information
- Statement of capital (total shares, their nominal value, and share class rights)
When Must It Be Filed?
You must file a Confirmation Statement at least once every 12 months. Your "confirmation date" is the anniversary of your incorporation date (or the anniversary of the date your last Confirmation Statement covers).
You have 14 days from your confirmation date to submit the filing. Companies House strongly recommends filing as early as possible within this window.
How to File Your Confirmation Statement
The most efficient way is to file online through the Companies House WebFiling service or directly through your company formation agent's portal. Online filing costs £34. Paper filing costs £62 and takes significantly longer to process.
If no information has changed since your last filing, you can simply confirm that the existing information is correct — a process that takes just a few minutes online.
Consequences of Not Filing
Failing to file your Confirmation Statement on time is a criminal offence. Companies House can:
- Prosecute the directors for failure to file
- Strike off the company from the register (dissolving it)
- Issue fines to directors
Persons of Significant Control (PSC)
Since 2016, all UK companies must maintain a PSC register and submit PSC information as part of their Confirmation Statement. A Person of Significant Control is an individual who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights, has the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.
All PSC information must be kept updated. Failure to record and report PSCs is a criminal offence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file a Confirmation Statement?
Online filing costs £34 per year. Paper filing (CS01 form) costs £62. The fee covers all Confirmation Statements filed in a 12-month period, so even if you update your information multiple times, you only pay once per year.
What happens if I miss my Confirmation Statement deadline?
Companies House may begin the process of striking off your company. Directors can also face prosecution. If struck off, the company ceases to exist and restoring it is an expensive, time-consuming legal process.
Is the Confirmation Statement the same as annual accounts?
No. These are two separate filings. Annual accounts show your company's financial performance. The Confirmation Statement confirms the accuracy of company details on the register. Both must be filed annually.
Can I file a Confirmation Statement early?
Yes. You can file early — it will simply reset your 12-month period. Companies with complex structures often file early to ensure accuracy.
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