How to file a confirmation statement with Companies House
Filing a confirmation statement keeps your company record accurate. Here's how to do it yourself, quickly and correctly.
Written by Naomi Lai— Small business & finance writer. Read Naomi's full bio
Published Wednesday 23 September 2026
Table of contents
Key takeaways
- Every UK company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months, even if nothing has changed and even if the company is dormant.
- The statement confirms your company details are correct, including your registered office, directors, people with significant control, shareholders, and SIC codes.
- It costs £50 to file online and £110 by post, and you have 14 days after your review period ends to submit it.
- You can file it yourself online in a few minutes, and recent rules mean directors must verify their identity and the company must give a registered email address.
What is a confirmation statement?
A confirmation statement (form CS01) ensures the information Companies House holds about your company is correct and up to date. You submit one at least once a year to verify that the public record is accurate.
It was formerly called the annual return, so you might still see that older name in guides and forums. The name changed, but the purpose is the same. This regular check affirms that your company details are right.
A confirmation statement isn't a financial return. It doesn't report your profit, tax, or trading figures. Those go in your annual accounts and your company tax return, which are separate filings. You can read the full guidance on confirmation statements on GOV.UK.
Who needs to file a confirmation statement?
Every company on the Companies House register has to file a confirmation statement. That includes private limited companies, limited liability partnerships, and companies that are dormant or not trading.
You still file even if nothing has changed since last time. The point is to confirm the record, so a "no changes" statement is normal and takes only a few minutes.
As a director, you're legally responsible for filing on time. You can ask someone to submit it for you, but the legal duty stays with you and your fellow directors.
What information does a confirmation statement verify?
The statement asks you to check the key details Companies House holds and confirm they're correct. Before you file, review each of the following:
- registered office address, the official address for your company
- registered email address, used by Companies House to contact you
- directors and company secretary details
- people with significant control (PSC), meaning anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of shares or voting rights
- shareholders and your statement of capital, which sets out your shares and their value
- standard industrial classification (SIC) codes, which describe what your company does
- where your company registers are kept
Some changes are filed separately rather than on the statement itself. For example, a new director, a change of address or a share transfer usually needs its own filing. The confirmation statement then affirms that the updated record is right.
When is your confirmation statement due?
Your confirmation statement follows a 12-month review period. The first period runs from your incorporation date, and each one after that runs from the date of your last statement.
Once a review period ends, you have 14 days to file. Missing that window is what puts your company at risk of fines or even closure, so it helps to know your date well in advance.
You can check your due date on the public register and file early if it suits you. Filing ahead of the deadline simply starts a fresh review period from that date.
How much does a confirmation statement cost?
A confirmation statement costs £50 to file online and £110 to file by post using the paper form. Online is both cheaper and faster, and many owners and directors file this way.
You pay once per 12-month payment period. If you file more than one statement in that period, for example because you filed early, the extra statements are covered by the single fee.
How to file your confirmation statement online
Filing online through Companies House is straightforward, and you can do it yourself without an accountant. Follow these steps to submit your confirmation statement.
1. Sign in to Companies House WebFiling
Go to the Companies House WebFiling service and sign in, or use the file a confirmation statement service on GOV.UK. You'll need your company number and your authentication code to access your record.
2. Check your company details
Review the details Companies House holds, including your registered office, directors, people with significant control and shareholders. Read each screen carefully so you can spot anything out of date.
3. Update anything that's out of date
If a detail has changed, update it before you confirm the statement. Some changes are made on a separate form first, so complete those, then return to the confirmation statement.
4. Confirm your SIC codes and shareholders
Check that your SIC codes still describe what your company does, and confirm your shareholder information and statement of capital. Update the codes if your activities have changed over the years.
5. Confirm your intended future activities are lawful
You'll be asked to confirm that your company's intended future activities are lawful. This is a short declaration you make each time you file.
6. Pay the fee and submit
Pay the £50 online fee and submit your statement. You'll get confirmation that it's been received, and your public record shows the new filing date.
What's changed under the new company law rules?
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced new duties that affect your confirmation statement. You can follow the changes to UK company law on GOV.UK, and most are a one-off setup rather than extra work each year.
For new statements, you need to:
- give a registered email address, which Companies House uses to contact your company
- confirm that your company's intended future activities are lawful
- verify the identity of your directors and people with significant control with Companies House
Identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025, and you can check when you need to verify your identity on GOV.UK. Once you've provided your email and completed identity verification, filing settles back into a quick annual routine.
What happens if you don't file your confirmation statement?
Filing late or not at all is a serious matter, because a confirmation statement is a legal requirement. Keeping on top of the deadline protects you and your company.
If you don't file, Companies House can:
- issue a financial penalty of up to £5,000 against the company
- strike the company off the register, which closes it down
Filing on time avoids all of this. Good bookkeeping habits and a clear view of your company deadlines make it far easier to stay compliant.
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Meeting deadlines like your confirmation statement is much easier when your finances are organised in one place. Xero helps keep your records, invoices, and reporting tidy and up to date, so you can spend less time on admin and more time running your business. With clear accounting software and reminders built in, you can keep your company details current and your filings on track.
FAQs on confirmation statements
Here are quick answers to the questions owners might ask about filing a confirmation statement.
Can you file a confirmation statement myself?
Yes. You can file it yourself online through Companies House WebFiling in a few minutes, using your company number and authentication code.
Do you need an accountant to file a confirmation statement?
No, you don't need an accountant, as the statement simply confirms details you already hold. Many owners and directors file it themselves, though an accountant can do it for you if you'd prefer. You remain legally liable for the confirmation statement regardless.
What's the difference between a confirmation statement and annual accounts?
A confirmation statement affirms your company details on the public register, while annual accounts report your company's finances. They're separate filings with separate deadlines.
Do dormant companies need to file a confirmation statement?
Yes. A dormant or non-trading company still has to file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, even though it isn't trading.
Can you file your confirmation statement early?
Yes, you can file before your due date. Filing early starts a new 12-month review period from the date you submit.
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