What is a confirmation statement?
A confirmation statement is the annual filing every UK company makes at Companies House to confirm its registered details, such as officers, shareholders and registered office, are correct.
What a confirmation statement means
Every company and LLP must file a confirmation statement (form CS01) at least once every 12 months, even if nothing has changed. It replaced the old annual return in 2016. It confirms the information Companies House holds about:
- the registered office address and registered email address
- directors and the company secretary, if any
- shareholders and share capital (for private companies)
- people with significant control (PSCs)
- the SIC code describing what the company does
- that the company's future activities will be lawful
The filing fee is £50 online (£110 on paper) from 1 February 2026. It is separate from the annual accounts and the Company Tax Return.
Example
A company was incorporated on 10 March 2025. Its first review period runs for 12 months beginning on that day, so it ends on 9 March 2026, and the company has 14 days after that, until 23 March 2026, to file. If the directors choose to file early, making the statement up to 1 February 2026, the cycle resets: the next review period ends on 31 January 2027. The Companies House online service shows your current confirmation date and deadline.
Why it matters for your business
There is no automatic late-filing penalty as there is for accounts, but failing to file is a criminal offence for the company and its directors, and Companies House can start striking the company off the register. Banks and suppliers also check the public record.
Changes such as a new director or a new shareholder should be filed when they happen, on separate forms. The confirmation statement then simply confirms the record is correct. Share allotments and PSC changes are commonly missed.
Since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, companies must give a registered email address and confirm lawful purpose, and directors and PSCs are being required to verify their identity with Companies House. Make sure the people responsible have completed it.
How to file
Sign in to the Companies House online service with the company authentication code, which is sent to the registered office. Check each section, make any changes such as an updated shareholder list, confirm, and pay the fee by card or account. It takes a few minutes when the record is up to date. Accountants and formation agents can file it for you as the company's agent.
Cloudkeepers files confirmation statements for clients as part of its limited company packages.
Common questions
There is no fixed penalty like late accounts, but it is an offence, and Companies House can begin striking the company off. File as soon as you notice. Directors can face fines or prosecution if it is ignored. Filing it brings the company back into good standing on the public register, and filing usually halts any strike-off action Companies House has started.
Yes. Every company on the register must file one at least every 12 months, whether it is trading or dormant, and pay the fee. A dormant company also files dormant accounts each year. If the company will never trade again, closing it formally saves the ongoing fees and filing obligations.