What Is a Companies House Confirmation Statement? A Legal Guide for UK Businesses

So, you’ve set up your company, the business is ticking along, and you’re finally finding your groove as an owner-director. But then, an email lands in your inbox from Companies House: “Action required - your confirmation statement is due.”

If you’re asking yourself, “What is a Companies House confirmation statement, and what am I actually supposed to do?”-you’re not alone. Every business registered as a limited company in the UK has to file one, yet it’s a step that often gets lost in the admin shuffle (or causes a bit of panic when that reminder drops in).

Getting your confirmation statement right is key. It’s not just a tick-box exercise-there can be legal and financial consequences if you get it wrong (or ignore it). Luckily, once you know what’s required, it’s really quite manageable. In this practical guide, we’ll clear up what a Companies House confirmation statement is, why it matters, what information you’ll need to provide, how (and when) to file, and how to avoid costly slip-ups.

Let’s break it down, step by step.

What Is a Companies House Confirmation Statement?

Put simply, a Companies House confirmation statement is an official filing all UK limited companies (and LLPs) must make at least once a year to confirm their registered details. It replaced the old “annual return,” but its main purpose is the same: to keep Companies House’s public record up to date about key details of your company.

The statement covers things like:

• Your company’s registered office address
• The names and addresses of directors (and company secretary, if you have one)
• Shareholders and shareholdings
• People with significant control (“PSC”s)
• Your business’s main activities (SIC codes)

The confirmation statement is required for all companies, regardless of size or whether you’ve made changes in the past year. Even if absolutely nothing has changed, you still need to make a statement confirming the records are accurate.

Think of it as your way of “signing off” each year that your company information is current-or, if there have been changes, updating the public record. Not sure how your company details should look? Check out our guide to company essentials for new owners.

Why Is the Confirmation Statement Important?

Filing a confirmation statement isn’t just admin for admin’s sake-it’s a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006 and plays an important role in corporate transparency.

Here’s why it matters:

• Legal compliance: Failure to submit can lead to significant penalties, prosecution of directors, and in extreme cases, your company being struck off the register (effectively closing your business).
• Public record accuracy: Investors, customers, suppliers and even banks often check Companies House records to vet your business. Incorrect or outdated information can create trust issues-or even cause complications in funding and trading.
• Governance requirement: It’s an opportunity for you, as a director, to double-check your official company data and correct any inconsistencies-helping you spot potential issues before they snowball.

If you’re aiming to maintain strong legal foundations and stay compliant, reliably filing your Companies House confirmation statement should be a non-negotiable part of your annual routine.

Who Needs To File a Companies House Confirmation Statement?

Every active limited company and limited liability partnership (LLP) registered in the UK must file a confirmation statement-even if you’re a small company with minimal activity, or a dormant company not currently trading.

It applies whether your business is:

• A private company limited by shares (Ltd)
• A public limited company (Plc)
• A company limited by guarantee
• An LLP

If you’re unsure about which business structure you have, check out our explanation of UK business structures for more clarity.

When Do You Need To File the Confirmation Statement?

Your Companies House confirmation statement is due at least once every 12 months, but you can file it more often if required (for example, after a major update like a change of shareholders).

Key timing points:

• Review period: “Confirmation period” is the 12-month window since the last confirmation statement (or since incorporation for your first one).
• Deadline: You have 14 days after the end of your review period to file your confirmation statement with Companies House.
• Multiple filings: You may file as many statements as you need within a year, especially if important company details change.

Miss the deadline, and you risk late fines and, at worst, Companies House striking off your business. A little calendar reminder could save a lot of stress down the line!

What Information Goes in a Confirmation Statement?

The confirmation statement is your chance to confirm or update a range of details about your company. These include:

• Registered office address: The official physical address of your company.
• Directors’ information: Names, service addresses, and any changes since the last statement.
• Company secretary (if any): Details of any company secretaries.
• Shareholder details: Names and addresses of shareholders, shareholdings, and changes during the year.
• People with Significant Control (“PSC”): Anyone who controls more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
• SIC codes: Standard Industrial Classification codes, specifying your company’s main business activities. You’ll need to ensure these accurately reflect what your company does. Learn more about SIC codes and company numbers.
• Share capital statement: For companies limited by shares, outline issued share capital and types of shares.

If any of these details change during the year-especially directors, shareholdings, PSCs or registered office-you should update Companies House immediately (in addition to your annual confirmation statement).

Remember, the information on the confirmation statement is part of your company’s public record. If you need guidance on what should be kept confidential and what must be made public, see our confidentiality agreements overview for UK businesses.

How Do You File a Companies House Confirmation Statement?

You can submit your confirmation statement to Companies House either online (the most common method) or by post. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Gather Company Information

Before you start, check all your company details are up to date. Take this opportunity to review your records and identify any recent changes in directors, shareholders, or the registered office.

2. Update Records If Necessary

If there have been any changes during the year (new director, new address, new PSC, change to share structure), update them online with Companies House before filing your confirmation statement. Otherwise, your statement could be rejected or marked incorrect.

3. Log in and Complete the Statement

Use the Companies House WebFiling service or the new 'Companies House Account’ portal. Follow the prompts to review and confirm all sections, or update as required.

4. Pay the Filing Fee

There’s a flat annual fee to file your confirmation statement-currently £13 if you file online, or £40 by post (as of 2024). You only pay once per 12-month period, no matter how many filings you make in that year.

5. Submit and Keep Acknowledgement

Once filed, Companies House will update your public record and send an email acknowledgement. Keep this for your records.

It’s crucial to ensure accuracy at every step. Any accidental errors could be considered a ‘false statement’, which carries both legal and reputational risks. If you’re not sure about the details, get expert support-a company law expert can help review your statement and filings so you’re confident you’re protected.

What Happens If You Don’t File the Confirmation Statement?

Don’t ignore Companies House emails or let that submission deadline slide. If you miss your filing:

• Late penalties: You can be prosecuted and fined for late or missing filings.
• Company strike-off: If you consistently fail to submit, Companies House can remove your company from the register. The company ceases to exist as a legal entity, and all assets may pass to the Crown.
• Personal accountability: As a director, you can face fines or even be disqualified for serious, ongoing non-compliance.

Don’t risk your hard work-build confirmation statement filing into your annual legal checklist, along with key company records and contract reviews. See our guide to ongoing compliance and reporting for UK businesses to keep the rest of your legal duties in check, too.

Common Mistakes To Avoid with Confirmation Statements

From our experience, the most common traps are:

• Forgetting the deadline-Set reminders, calendar alerts, or even outsource company secretarial duties to a trusted professional.
• Failing to update changes before the statement-Always update director, shareholder, or PSC changes with Companies House before submitting your annual confirmation statement.
• Not checking for errors-Small errors in addresses or shareholdings can be costly down the line, especially if you’re raising investment or selling your business one day.
• Assuming you don’t need to file if nothing’s changed-You must file every year, even with no updates.
• Mixing up confirmation statements and annual accounts-These are separate filings, both of which must be submitted. Learn more about filing accounts in our guide.

If you’re not sure what to file and when (or how to keep your records straight), having the right legal and compliance support early on can be a lifesaver.

What If I Need To Correct a Confirmation Statement?

Mistakes happen! If you discover you’ve filed incorrect information, act quickly-submit a replacement confirmation statement with the accurate details. Companies House usually sorts these out promptly if you address them early. Recurring or major errors can lead to investigation or fines, so don’t delay.

For tricky or complex company changes-like share restructures, new PSCs, or special company articles-it pays to get legal advice before filing, to ensure you follow the correct process and update all the right records.

How To Keep on Top of Annual Compliance as a Business Owner

Filing your Companies House confirmation statement is just one of several important annual duties for UK company directors. Others include:

• Filing annual company accounts
• Updating your register of People with Significant Control
• Maintaining statutory books (registers of members, directors, and secretaries)
• Complying with tax filings and returns
• Keeping up with company secretarial obligations (minutes, resolutions, and other filings)

Missing compliance deadlines can affect not only your company’s good standing but also your ability to borrow, raise capital, or sell in the future. We recommend setting calendar reminders and building a habit of reviewing all your filings at least quarterly-especially when there’s a change in your company’s structure or ownership.

For a deeper look at annual business compliance, check our dedicated compliance must-haves guide.

Key Takeaways

• All UK limited companies and LLPs must file a Companies House confirmation statement at least once a year, even if nothing has changed.
• The confirmation statement confirms your company’s core details-address, directors, shareholders, PSCs, SIC codes-are accurate and up to date.
• File by the deadline (14 days after the end of your review period) to avoid penalties or strike-off by Companies House.
• Update any key changes to directors, shareholders, or company address with Companies House before submitting your annual statement.
• Keep on top of annual company compliance by maintaining statutory records and submitting all required filings, including company accounts.
• If you’re unsure or have complex company changes, get legal support early-this reduces the risk of errors and protects your business as it grows.

If you’d like further guidance on your Companies House confirmation statement or annual company compliance in the UK, you can reach our friendly team at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat. We're here to help you feel confident about your company’s legal foundations, right from day one.