How To File A Companies House Confirmation Statement Online (UK)

If you run a UK limited company, you’ll come across one recurring admin task that’s easy to overlook until it’s suddenly urgent: the confirmation statement. It’s not the most exciting part of growing a business, but filing on time is one of those “legal foundations” tasks that keeps your company in good standing, helps you avoid penalties, and reduces the risk of nasty surprises (like Companies House starting strike-off action). In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a confirmation statement is, what you’ll need before you start, and exactly how to file your confirmation statement online in a practical, step-by-step way.

What Is A Companies House Confirmation Statement (And Why Does It Matter)?

A confirmation statement is a Companies House filing where you confirm that your company’s key information is accurate and up to date. It’s sometimes described as a “snapshot” of your company details, and it’s required under the Companies Act 2006. Even if nothing has changed, you generally still need to submit it to confirm that the information on the public register is correct.

What Information Does The Confirmation Statement Cover?

Your confirmation statement pulls together and confirms details such as:

• Registered office address
• Principal business activities (SIC codes)
• Directors and (where relevant) company secretary details
• Shareholders and share capital information (for companies with shares)
• People with significant control (PSC) details (your “beneficial ownership” information)
• Registered email address (where required - Companies House has introduced this requirement for many companies, but it doesn’t apply to every company in the same way)

This matters because Companies House information is public. Banks, suppliers, investors, potential buyers, and even customers can check your company details. Keeping it accurate helps build trust and can prevent delays if you’re applying for finance, entering larger contracts, or selling the business.

Is A Confirmation Statement The Same As Annual Accounts Or A Tax Return?

No. This is a common point of confusion.

• Confirmation statement: confirms key company information on the public register.
• Annual accounts: financial reporting to Companies House.
• Corporation tax return: filed with HMRC, separate from Companies House filings.

In other words, filing your accounts does not mean you’ve filed your confirmation statement (and vice versa).

When Do You Need To File Your Confirmation Statement?

Most companies must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. Companies House works on a “review period”. The review period is usually 12 months long, and your confirmation statement is due within a set time after that period ends.

Key Deadlines To Know

• You can usually file your confirmation statement any time during the review period.
• Once the review period ends, you typically have 14 days to submit it (this is a key compliance deadline for many companies).

Practical tip: don’t wait for the last week. If you discover something needs updating (for example, shareholder details or PSC information), you might need extra time to fix it properly before you submit.

What If You’ve Just Registered The Company?

If you’ve recently incorporated, you’ll still need to submit your first confirmation statement within the required timeframe. This catches many founders out because the business is busy “getting going”, and the admin can feel easy to postpone. If you’re at the setup stage and want to make sure your filings and structure are right from day one, it can help to start with a clean incorporation process like register a company support rather than trying to patch things later.

What You Need Before You File A Confirmation Statement Online

Before you file a confirmation statement online, set yourself up for a smooth submission by gathering the key details and checking whether anything has changed.

1) Your Companies House Login Details

To file online, you’ll usually need access to your Companies House account for the company (often tied to the company authentication code and a login). If you can’t find your company authentication code, you may need to request a replacement. This can take time, so it’s best not to leave your filing until the last minute.

2) A “Changes” Checklist (So You Don’t Miss Anything)

Before you submit your confirmation statement, do a quick audit of what may have changed since the last filing. For example:

• Have you changed your registered office?
• Have you appointed or removed a director?
• Have shareholders changed (new shares issued, transfers, different holdings)?
• Has your PSC information changed?
• Have your SIC codes changed because your business has pivoted?

If director details have changed (or you’re trying to confirm who is officially listed), it’s often helpful to check the public register first using the same process you’d use to search for company directors.

3) Make Sure Your Company’s Internal Records Match

Companies House is the public-facing record, but your company should also keep proper internal documentation. For example:

• Board decisions should usually be documented in board minutes (especially where directors approve key changes).
• Your company’s rules (including how shares can be issued/transferred) sit in its Company Constitution.

This is where small businesses can get caught out: you can update a public filing, but if it doesn’t match what your company actually agreed internally, you can create disputes or compliance gaps later.

4) Be Ready For The Filing Fee

Companies House currently charges £50 to file a confirmation statement online (and £110 if you file by post). Fees can change, so it’s worth checking the current amount when you file. Also note: the fee is generally payable each time you file a confirmation statement (even if you file early), so it’s worth choosing the right timing rather than submitting multiple times in a short window without a clear reason.

How To File Confirmation Statement Online: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough

If you’re ready to file your confirmation statement and you’ve gathered the information above, here’s the typical online process.

Step 1: Sign In And Select The Company

Log in to your Companies House online account and select the company you’re filing for. If you manage multiple companies (for example, a trading company and a holding company), double-check you’ve selected the correct entity before you proceed.

Step 2: Start The Confirmation Statement Filing

Choose the option to file your confirmation statement (you may see language like “submit confirmation statement” depending on the interface). Companies House will usually show you:

• The review period covered by the statement
• The due date
• A summary of the company details currently held on the register

Step 3: Review Each Section Carefully

This is the part to slow down for. Work through each section and confirm whether the details are correct. Common sections include:

• Registered office address
• SIC codes
• Directors and secretary
• Share capital and shareholders (where applicable)
• PSC details

If you spot something that’s wrong, you may need to update it before you can submit, or you might need to file a separate form for the change. Don’t ignore this step - filing while details are inaccurate can create compliance risk.

Step 4: Update Any Details (If The System Prompts You)

If changes are needed, you may be prompted to update them as part of the process or directed to complete separate filings. For example:

• If you’ve removed a director, you may need to complete the appropriate filing and also take care of internal approvals (often supported by a Directors Resolution).
• If you’re planning a formal director removal, make sure the legal steps are handled properly, including updating Companies House records (the process overlaps with what’s involved in remove a director filings).

If your company has had share movements, it’s also worth checking that you’ve complied with your constitution and any shareholder arrangements (for example, pre-emption rights or consent requirements). These don’t always show up in a Companies House filing screen, but they matter legally.

Step 5: Confirm The Statement And Pay The Fee

Once everything is correct, you’ll confirm the statement and proceed to payment. When you submit, you’re effectively confirming that the information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. So it’s worth doing a final review before you hit “confirm”.

Step 6: Save Proof Of Submission

After you submit your confirmation statement, you should receive confirmation (and it should also show in your company’s filing history on the public register). We recommend saving:

• A PDF copy (or screenshot) of the submission confirmation
• The payment receipt
• Notes of what you checked and any changes you made

This is particularly helpful if you ever need to prove compliance to a bank, investor, buyer, or accountant.

What Happens If You Don’t File (Or You File Late)?

If you don’t file your confirmation statement on time, Companies House can take action against the company and its officers (usually the directors).

Potential Consequences

• Late filing warnings and compliance letters
• Prosecution in serious or ongoing cases (for the company and/or directors)
• Strike-off action (Companies House may start the process to remove the company from the register)
• Commercial disruption - issues with bank accounts, payment providers, tenders, or supplier onboarding

Even where there isn’t an immediate fine, falling behind can create a domino effect. Once you miss one deadline, it becomes easier to miss the next (and harder to convince stakeholders that the business is well managed).

If Your Company Isn’t Trading, Do You Still Need To File?

Often, yes. A company can be dormant and still have ongoing Companies House filing obligations. If your company has stopped trading (even temporarily), don’t assume the admin stops too. The right approach depends on your circumstances, and it may be worth considering whether you should formally treat the company as dormant or take other steps, similar to the process described when making a company dormant.

Common Mistakes When You File A Confirmation Statement (And How To Avoid Them)

Filing is usually straightforward - but small businesses often run into issues where the company has changed quickly (new shareholders, new directors, pivots in business activities) and the filings haven’t kept up.

Mistake 1: Treating It Like A “Tick-Box” Exercise

The confirmation statement is your chance to make sure the public record matches reality. If you rush it, you can accidentally confirm incorrect information, which can be painful to unwind later (especially if there’s a shareholder dispute or you’re fundraising).

Mistake 2: Getting Shareholder And PSC Details Wrong

PSC and shareholder information is an area where errors are common, especially where:

• Shares have been issued informally (without proper documentation)
• Shares were transferred but no stock transfer paperwork was properly completed
• Ownership is split across individuals and holding companies

If you’re not 100% sure what should be recorded, it’s worth getting advice - because “ownership” mistakes can have real legal and commercial consequences.

Mistake 3: Not Keeping Internal Company Records

Companies House filings are not a substitute for internal governance. As your business grows, you’ll likely need a clear paper trail showing what was approved, when, and by whom. This is particularly important if you later:

• Bring in investors
• Apply for finance
• Sell the business
• End up in a director/shareholder dispute

Mistake 4: Filing Without Updating Other Documents

Sometimes the filing is the “easy part”, but the business also needs to update its internal documents. For example, if directors change, your contracts and governance documents may need to be updated too. If your company is entering new commercial relationships, it’s also a good time to ensure your core contracts are in place and fit for purpose, whether that’s a Shareholders Agreement or properly tailored terms with customers and suppliers.

Key Takeaways

• The confirmation statement is a Companies House filing where you confirm your company’s key information is accurate, even if nothing has changed.
• Most companies must file at least once every 12 months, and you generally have a short window after the review period ends to submit.
• To file online smoothly, gather your login/authentication details, review what has changed, and ensure internal company records match what you’re submitting.
• Take extra care with shareholder and PSC details - errors here can create bigger legal issues later, particularly if you fundraise or sell the business.
• If you miss the deadline, you risk Companies House enforcement action, strike-off steps, and commercial disruption.
• Filing is only one part of staying compliant - good governance (minutes, resolutions, constitution, and agreements) helps keep your business protected as it grows.

If you’d like help getting your company filings and governance in order - or you’re unsure whether the information you’re about to submit is correct - you can reach us at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat.