TLDR (too long didn’t read): What you need to know
A confirmation statement is an annual filing that limited companies use to confirm that the information held about them at Companies House is correct and up to date. Every company must file one at least once every 12 months, even if nothing has changed.
Missing the deadline can result in a penalty of up to £5,000 and, ultimately, the company being struck off the register.
In this guide, we explain what a confirmation statement covers, when you need to file one and what to check before submitting it.
What is a confirmation statement?
A confirmation statement is a Companies House filing that confirms the information held about your company is accurate and up to date.
It replaced the annual return in June 2016. Unlike annual accounts, which provide a financial picture of your company’s performance, the confirmation statement is primarily about making sure Companies House has the correct information about the company itself.
Every UK limited company has to file one at least once every 12 months. This includes dormant and non-trading companies. Even if nothing about your company has changed during the year, you still need to submit a confirmation statement.
Think of it as an annual sense-check of your company’s public record.
What information is included in a confirmation statement?
Before filing, you should check that the information Companies House holds about your company is correct.
This can include:
- your registered office address
- your directors and company secretary, where applicable
- your shareholders
- your statement of capital
- your company’s SIC code
- your people with significant control (PSCs)
- information relating to shares and their trading status
There are some changes you can report as part of the confirmation statement, including changes to your SIC code, statement of capital and certain shareholder information. Other changes need to be reported separately to Companies House.
It’s worth checking these details rather than simply treating the confirmation statement as another form to tick off the list.
An outdated registered office, incorrect shareholder information or an old SIC code can mean the public record does not accurately reflect your business.
When is a confirmation statement due?
Your company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months.
For a new company, the first review period ends 12 months after its incorporation date. After that, the review period generally ends 12 months after the confirmation statement date on your previous filing.
You can check your company’s confirmation statement date and filing deadline through the Companies House register.
You can also sign up for email reminders from Companies House, which is a useful way to avoid an easily overlooked deadline.
Can you file a confirmation statement early?
Yes. You do not necessarily have to wait until the end of your current review period.
If you file early, a new review period begins from the date of that filing. This can sometimes be useful if you’re already making changes to your company’s information and want to keep your Companies House record up to date.
Has the cost of filing a confirmation statement changed?
Yes. Companies House increased its filing fees from 1 February 2026, including the cost of submitting a confirmation statement.
For businesses that manage their own filings, it’s worth being aware that Companies House fees have changed. However, the bigger risk is still missing the filing deadline altogether.
If you’re using an accountant or company secretarial provider to handle your confirmation statement, there may also be a separate professional fee for preparing and submitting the filing on your behalf.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
Missing your confirmation statement deadline is more serious than simply paying the filing fee a little late.
Companies House can impose a financial penalty, and your company could ultimately be struck off the register if you fail to file. The maximum penalty can be £5,000.
For directors, keeping Companies House information accurate and filings up to date is part of running a limited company responsibly.
The simplest approach is to keep your confirmation statement date alongside your other important company and tax deadlines.
What has changed with confirmation statements?
There are a couple of important changes that company directors should be aware of.
Identity verification
Companies House has introduced identity verification requirements as part of reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Before a confirmation statement can be filed, all company directors must have verified their identity and provide their Companies House personal code. People with significant control (PSCs) also have identity verification requirements.
This means your confirmation statement is no longer simply a matter of checking the company’s details and paying the annual fee.
If you’re approaching your next filing and haven’t completed identity verification, it’s worth dealing with this ahead of the deadline rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Harland can also help existing clients that are directors and PSCs with the Companies House identity verification process as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
A registered email address
Companies must provide a registered email address to Companies House if they have not already done so.
The email address is not published on the public register, but Companies House will use it to contact the company about its filings and other matters.
It’s therefore important that the company monitors the address provided.
What should you check before filing?
Before submitting your confirmation statement, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your company’s details.
Check:
- Registered office: Is the address still correct?
- Directors: Are the current directors listed correctly?
- Shareholders: Does the shareholding information reflect the current ownership?
- PSC information: Are the people with significant control correctly recorded?
- SIC code: Does it accurately describe what your business does?
- Registered email address: Is Companies House using an email address that someone in the business actually monitors?
- Identity verification: Have all relevant directors completed the required verification and obtained their personal codes?
This is particularly useful for growing businesses. Ownership, directors and activities can change as a company develops, and Companies House records can easily become an afterthought when everyone’s focused on running the business.
Why keeping your Companies House record up to date matters
A confirmation statement might not seem like the most exciting part of running a business. It won’t tell you whether your margins are improving, whether you’re generating enough cash or whether you’re ready to invest in your next stage of growth.
But accurate company records are part of good business administration.
For established businesses, keeping statutory information current can also sit alongside a wider review of how the company is structured, performing and planning for the future.
That’s where compliance and proactive accountancy can work together. Your annual accounts tell you where the business has been; regular management information can help you understand where it is now and make better decisions about where it is going. Harland’s enhanced management accounts, for example, are designed to give business owners a clearer view of past, present and future performance.
Confirmation Statement FAQs
Do all limited companies need to file a confirmation statement?
Yes. Every company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months, including dormant and non-trading companies.
What happens if nothing has changed?
You still need to file. The confirmation statement confirms that the information already held by Companies House remains correct.
Has the confirmation statement filing fee changed?
Yes. Companies House increased its filing fees from 1 February 2026. The cost of filing a confirmation statement is now higher than it was previously. If you use an accountant or company secretarial provider, their professional fee for handling the filing will be separate.
Is a confirmation statement the same as an annual return?
The confirmation statement replaced the annual return in June 2016. They are essentially the successor filing, but the confirmation statement is the terminology used today.
Can my accountant file my confirmation statement?
Yes, an accountant or company secretarial provider can handle company filings on your behalf. The important thing is that the information filed is accurate and up to date.
Do directors need to verify their identity before filing?
Yes. Companies House now requires directors to verify their identity and provide their personal code as part of the confirmation statement process.
Keep your company records in order
A confirmation statement may be an annual compliance task, but it is also a useful opportunity to check that the public record of your business still reflects reality.
If you’re already juggling annual accounts, tax returns, payroll, VAT and the day-to-day demands of running a growing business, keeping track of every Companies House requirement can become another administrative job on the list.
Harland’s Company Secretarial service helps limited companies keep their statutory records and Companies House filings in order, including director and shareholder changes and identity verification.
For prospective clients, if you’re looking for an accountant who can take care of the compliance while helping you understand the numbers behind your business, a discovery call is a good place to start.
