If you run a UK limited company, you already have enough deadlines to track — VAT, payroll, Corporation Tax. But there’s one filing that catches out more business owners than almost any other, simply because it sounds like it should be optional. It isn’t. Knowing how to file a confirmation statement correctly, and on time, is a legal requirement for every company on the Companies House register, whether it’s trading, dormant, or barely a year old.
This guide walks you through exactly what a confirmation statement is, when it’s due, what information you need, how to file it step by step, and the mistakes that get companies struck off the register every year.
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Key Takeaways
- A confirmation statement (form CS01) confirms that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate — it does not report your financial performance.
- Every active company, dormant company, PLC, and LLP must file at least once every 12 months, even if nothing has changed.
- You have 14 days after your review period ends to file.
- The current online filing fee is £50 (paper filing is £110), following the Companies House fee increase on 1 February 2026.
- Missing the deadline can lead to company strike-off, director prosecution, and reputational damage — though there’s no automatic financial penalty like with late accounts.
- Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) must have completed identity verification with Companies House before filing.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is an annual statutory filing submitted to Companies House that confirms — rather than reports — the information already held about your company is correct and up to date. It replaced the old Annual Return in 2016 and is filed using form CS01.
Unlike your annual accounts or Corporation Tax return, a confirmation statement contains no financial data. It simply verifies details such as:
- Your registered office address
- Director and secretary information
- Shareholder and share capital details
- People with Significant Control (PSC)
- Your company’s SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code
Think of it as a “yes, this is all still correct” check-in with the UK’s company registrar, rather than a financial disclosure.
In short: filing a confirmation statement keeps your company legally active on the public register, regardless of whether you’ve traded, made changes, or stayed completely dormant during the year.
When Do You Need to File a Confirmation Statement?
Timing trips up more companies than the paperwork itself. Here’s how the cycle works:
The Review Period
Your “confirmation period” (or review period) is a rolling 12-month window. It starts either:
- On the date your company was incorporated (for your first statement), or
- The day after your previous confirmation statement was filed
The Filing Deadline
You have 14 days after the review period ends to submit your confirmation statement. Miss this window and your company is technically in breach of the Companies Act 2006.
Filing Frequency
You must file at least once every 12 months — but you can file more often if your company’s details change partway through the year. Filing extra statements within the same 12-month review period doesn’t cost anything additional under the online fee.
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Review period | 12 months from incorporation or last filing |
| Filing deadline | Within 14 days after the review period ends |
| Minimum frequency | Once every 12 months |
What Information Is Required to File a Confirmation Statement?
Before you log in to file, gather the following details. Most of it will be pre-populated by Companies House, but you’re responsible for checking and correcting it.
Registered Office Address
The official, legally registered address of the company — this is publicly visible on the register.
Principal Place of Business
Where company records are actually kept, if this differs from the registered office.
Director and Secretary Details
Full names, service addresses, and (since identity verification rules came into force) each director’s unique Companies House personal verification code.
Shareholder Information
Names of shareholders and the number and class of shares each one holds.
Statement of Capital
The total number of issued shares, their total value, and the currency they’re issued in.
SIC Code
The Standard Industrial Classification code that describes your company’s main business activity — this should reflect what you actually do, not what you did when you incorporated.
PSC (People with Significant Control) Details
Anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises significant influence over the company, must be listed and verified.
Which Types of Companies Must File a Confirmation Statement?
This obligation applies broadly across UK corporate structures:
- Private Limited Companies (Ltd) — both actively trading and dormant
- Public Limited Companies (PLC)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
- Dormant or non-trading companies
There is no exemption for size, turnover, or trading status. Even a company that has never issued an invoice still has to file.
How to File a Confirmation Statement: Step-by-Step
Here’s the practical process for filing your confirmation statement through Companies House WebFiling, the quickest and cheapest route.
Step 1: Prepare Your Information
Gather your company authentication code, registered office address, director and PSC details, shareholder information, statement of capital, and SIC code.
Step 2: Confirm Identity Verification
All directors and PSCs must have completed identity verification with Companies House and hold a personal verification code before the statement can be accepted. New officeholders have had to verify identity since 18 November 2025, and existing officeholders had a 12-month transition window.
Step 3: Log in to WebFiling
Access the Companies House WebFiling service using your company number and authentication code.
Step 4: Review and Update Pre-Populated Details
Companies House will show you the data currently on file. Carefully check directors, shareholders, SIC code, and registered address, and update anything that’s changed during the review period.
Step 5: Provide a Registered Email Address
Every company must supply a valid registered email address for official correspondence. This is not displayed publicly.
Step 6: Confirm the Statement
Tick the declaration confirming that all the information shown is accurate and that the company’s intended future activities remain lawful.
Step 7: Pay the Fee and Submit
Pay the £50 online filing fee, submit, and download or save your filing acknowledgement for your records.
Total time: If your details haven’t changed, filing typically takes 10–15 minutes online.
What Does It Cost to File a Confirmation Statement?
| Filing Method | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Online (WebFiling) | £50 |
| Paper (CS01 by post) | £110 |
These fees rose on 1 February 2026 — the online fee increased from £34 to £50, and the paper fee jumped from £62 to £110. The fee is charged once per 12-month review period, regardless of how many times you file within that period, so updating mid-year (for example, after a change in shareholders) won’t cost you twice.
Filing online is faster, cheaper, and gives you an instant digital acknowledgement, which is why Companies House — and most accountants — strongly recommend it over paper filing.
What Happens If You File a Confirmation Statement Late?
Unlike a late VAT return or late annual accounts, there’s no automatic fine the moment you miss the deadline. But that doesn’t mean the consequences are mild:
Criminal Offence
Failing to file is an offence under the Companies Act 2006. Directors can, in theory, be personally prosecuted.
Company Strike-Off
If Companies House believes a company has stopped operating because its filings are overdue, it can begin the process of striking the company off the register. A struck-off company ceases to exist, and any remaining assets can become property of the Crown.
Director Disqualification
Persistent non-compliance can lead to directors facing fines or disqualification from acting as a director for any UK company.
Reputational Damage
Overdue filing status is publicly visible on the Companies House register. Investors, lenders, suppliers, and clients can all see it — and it can undermine trust in your business at the worst possible moment.
Bottom line: there’s no fine on day one, but the long-term risk of ignoring a confirmation statement is far more serious than the £50 it costs to file it properly.
Why Dormant Companies Still Need to File
It’s a common misconception that a dormant company is exempt from Companies House filings because it isn’t trading. It isn’t.
A dormant company retains full legal entity status. As long as it exists on the register, it must:
- Confirm its registered office address is correct
- Confirm director and PSC information is accurate
- Confirm its SIC code still reflects its (inactive) business classification
Filing a confirmation statement is how Companies House keeps the public register accurate — and that obligation doesn’t pause just because a company isn’t generating income. Many dormant companies still need dormant company accounts submitted to HMRC and Companies House alongside their confirmation statement.
How to Prepare Before You File
A little preparation makes the actual filing process almost instant. Before you log in:
- Review your data. Pull up your last confirmation statement and check it against current reality — registered address, directors, shareholders, PSCs, SIC code.
- Verify identity. Confirm every director and PSC has completed Companies House identity verification and has their personal code to hand.
- Check your registered email address. It must be current, since Companies House uses it for official correspondence.
- Gather any changes. Note any share capital movements, new shareholders, or PSC changes during the review period.
- Identify your review period and deadline. Mark the date 14 days after your review period ends — and set a reminder a few days earlier.
- Have your payment method ready. £50 by debit or credit card for online filing.
- Have your WebFiling login details ready. Company number and authentication code.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Confirmation Statement
Even straightforward filings go wrong when these are overlooked:
Missing the 14-Day Deadline
The clock starts the moment your review period ends — not when you remember to check. Set calendar reminders well in advance.
Assuming “No Changes” Means “No Filing”
You must still file even if absolutely nothing about your company has changed during the year. A confirmation statement is a confirmation, not just an update form.
Forgetting to Update Shareholder Information
Share transfers, new investors, or changes in shareholding percentages must be reflected accurately, including share class and number held.
Neglecting PSC Updates
Failing to update People with Significant Control details is a common compliance gap — and one Companies House actively monitors as part of its transparency push under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
Using an Outdated SIC Code
If your business activity has shifted since incorporation, your SIC code should change with it. An outdated code misrepresents what your company actually does.
Filing by Paper When Online Is Available
Paper filing now costs more than double the online fee (£110 vs £50) and takes considerably longer to process. There’s rarely a good reason to choose it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to file a confirmation statement?
At least once every 12 months. You can file more frequently if your company details change, but you only pay the filing fee once per 12-month review period.
How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?
£50 if filed online through Companies House WebFiling, or £110 if filed by post using the paper CS01 form.
What happens if I don’t file a confirmation statement?
There’s no automatic fine, but failing to file is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Companies House can also strike your company off the register, and directors risk prosecution or disqualification.
Does a dormant company need to file a confirmation statement?
Yes. Dormant companies retain legal status on the Companies House register and must file a confirmation statement annually, even with no trading activity.
Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?
No. A confirmation statement verifies non-financial information such as your registered address, directors, shareholders, and PSCs. Annual accounts report your company’s financial performance and position to HMRC and Companies House separately.
Who needs to verify their identity before filing?
All directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) must complete identity verification with Companies House and obtain a personal verification code before a confirmation statement can be filed.
Can I file a confirmation statement early?
Yes, you can file at any point during your review period, though most companies file close to the deadline once they’ve confirmed there are no further changes to report.
How long does it take to file a confirmation statement?
If your details haven’t changed, online filing through WebFiling typically takes 10–15 minutes.
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Bottom Line
Filing a confirmation statement isn’t optional — it’s a statutory requirement for every company on the Companies House register, dormant or trading, large or small. The process itself is short and the fee is modest (£50 online), but the consequences of ignoring it — strike-off, prosecution, and reputational damage — are anything but.
The safest approach is to know your review period, mark your 14-day deadline, keep your director, shareholder, and PSC information current throughout the year, and file online rather than by post.
If you’d rather hand this off entirely, Cheap Accountants in London can manage your confirmation statement filing, identity verification, and Companies House compliance for you — so nothing slips through the cracks.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on how to file a confirmation statement in the UK as of June 2026. Companies House fees, deadlines, and requirements may change — always check gov.uk or speak to a qualified accountant for guidance specific to your company.