Every UK limited company must file a Confirmation Statement with Companies House at least once a year. It is one of the most important ongoing compliance obligations — and one that is commonly misunderstood or confused with annual accounts.
Missing your Confirmation Statement can have serious consequences, including the company being struck off the register. This guide explains exactly what it is, what it contains, when you need to file it, and what happens if you don't.
What is a Confirmation Statement?
The Confirmation Statement (CS01) replaced the old Annual Return in June 2016. It is an annual filing that confirms to Companies House that the information they hold about your company is accurate and up to date. Unlike annual accounts, it does not contain any financial information — it is purely a check on your company's details.
The name "Confirmation Statement" reflects exactly what it is: you are confirming, once a year (at minimum), that Companies House has the right information about your company. If anything has changed during the year, you should have already filed the relevant updates — the Confirmation Statement is then used to "check off" that everything is current.
Key point: Even if nothing has changed at your company during the year, you still must file a Confirmation Statement. There is no opt-out.
What Does the Confirmation Statement Confirm?
When you file your Confirmation Statement, you are confirming the following information is correct as of the "made up to" date (the end of your review period):
Registered Office Address
The company's current registered office is correct on the Companies House register.
SIC Codes
The Standard Industrial Classification codes accurately describe your current business activities.
Directors and Secretaries
All current directors (and company secretary, if applicable) are correctly recorded, with accurate service addresses.
Shareholders & Share Capital
The current shareholders, number of shares held, share classes, and total issued share capital are correctly recorded.
PSC Register
The People with Significant Control register accurately reflects who currently owns 25%+ of shares or voting rights, or otherwise controls the company.
Statement of Capital
The total share capital — including the number and nominal value of shares in each class — is accurate.
When Do You Need to File?
The timing of your Confirmation Statement filing is based on your "review period" — the 12-month period for which the statement is made. Here are the key dates:
First Confirmation Statement
Due within 12 months of your company's incorporation date. For example, if your company was incorporated on 1 January 2025, your first Confirmation Statement is due by 1 January 2026. You have 14 days from that date to actually file it.
Subsequent Statements
After your first filing, you must file at least once every 12 months. Your next review period starts the day after your previous Confirmation Statement was made up to. You can file more frequently than annually if you wish — there is no restriction.
The 14-day grace period
You must file the Confirmation Statement within 14 days of the end of your review period. This is not optional — it's a legal deadline. Companies House will send reminder emails, but you are responsible for compliance regardless of whether you receive a reminder.
How to File and What It Costs
| Filing Method | Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Online via Companies House WebFiling | £34 | Immediate / same day |
| Paper form CS01 by post | £62 | Several days processing time |
| Via a company formation agent or accountant | Varies (WebFiling fee + service fee) | Depends on service provider |
The £34 fee covers any number of Confirmation Statements filed within a 12-month review period. Filing online is the recommended method — it's cheaper, faster, and immediately updates the register.
What Happens if You Don't File?
Strike-off risk: Unlike late annual accounts (which trigger automatic financial penalties), the Confirmation Statement does not generate an automatic fine. However, failing to file is a criminal offence and, more critically, will result in Companies House initiating the process to strike off (dissolve) your company.
Once struck off, the company ceases to exist legally. All assets become "bona vacantia" (property of the Crown). Reinstating a struck-off company is possible but expensive and time-consuming — it requires a court application and can cost hundreds of pounds.
Companies House sends reminder emails before the deadline — but receiving a reminder is not a condition of the obligation.
If you miss the deadline, file as soon as possible. Companies House will usually accept a late filing before starting strike-off proceedings.
Directors can face prosecution and an unlimited fine for persistent failure to file.
Striking off can create serious problems if the company holds assets, bank accounts, or ongoing contracts.
Confirmation Statement vs Annual Accounts: Key Differences
These two filings are often confused by new company directors. Here's a clear comparison:
| Feature | Confirmation Statement | Annual Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Confirm company details are correct | Report financial performance and position |
| Contains financial data? | No | Yes — balance sheet, P&L (depending on size) |
| Filed with | Companies House only | Companies House and HMRC |
| Deadline | Within 14 days of review period end | Within 9 months of accounting year-end |
| Fee | £34 online | £0 to file; accountant may charge |
| Can be prepared by director? | Yes (5 minutes online) | Yes, but complex — most use an accountant |
| Late filing consequence | Strike-off risk (no automatic fine) | Automatic financial penalties from £150 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Filing late because you "forgot"
Fix: Set a calendar reminder for your review period end date and the 14-day filing deadline. Companies House will email you — make sure your email address is correct on the register.
Mistake: Incorrect PSC information
Fix: The PSC register must be accurate. If ownership has changed during the year, update the PSC register promptly via WebFiling before the Confirmation Statement.
Mistake: Wrong SIC code
Fix: If your business activities have changed, update your SIC codes. Using an inaccurate SIC code can cause issues with certain regulatory checks.
Mistake: Confusing it with annual accounts
Fix: Remember: Confirmation Statement = company details. Annual Accounts = financial data. Both are required, but they are separate filings with different deadlines.
Related Resources
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