Confirmation Statement Guidance
Companies must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months. This requirement, introduced by the Small Business, Enterprise & Employment Act 2015, replaced the old annual return. It is a criminal offence not to file a confirmation statement (even for a dormant company) within 14 days of the end of the relevant review period.
The Guidance Notes – Confirmation Statement explain what a confirmation statement is, when it is due, what information it must contain, and the practical steps to take before filing, such as checking and updating company records. They also outline the key changes made by the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
This section also lists the Companies House confirmation statement form (CS01). Further information and the latest version of the form can be obtained from the Companies House website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing has changed at our company this year. Do we still have to file a confirmation statement? +
Yes. Every company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, even if nothing changed and even if the company is dormant. You are confirming the information on the register is correct, not reporting activity. Filing costs 50 pounds online and missing the deadline is a criminal offence. The Guidance Notes in this sub-folder explain what to check before you confirm.
When exactly is our confirmation statement due? +
Your review period runs 12 months from incorporation or from the date of your last statement, and you then have 14 days to file. So the practical deadline is 12 months plus 14 days from your last confirmation date. You can file early or more than once a year, which resets the review period. Check your exact date on the Companies House register, it shows the next statement date for every company.
What should we check or update before filing the confirmation statement? +
Review everything the statement confirms: registered office and email address, directors and secretary details, SIC codes, statement of capital, shareholder information and your people with significant control. Since March 2024 you also confirm the company's intended future activities are lawful. File any needed changes first or alongside, then confirm. The Guidance Notes here include a pre-filing checklist covering each item.
How does the confirmation statement connect to the new identity verification rules? +
It is the trigger for existing officers. Directors and PSCs appointed before 18 November 2025 must verify their identity by the company's first confirmation statement date in the following 12 months, so the transition completes by 18 November 2026. New appointments verify from the start. When planning your statement, check every director and PSC has verified, the register shows each person's due date. The ECCTA sub-folder covers verification in detail.
Is the confirmation statement the same as our annual accounts? +
No, they are separate filings with separate deadlines and both are compulsory. The confirmation statement confirms who runs and owns the company and its registered details; the accounts report its finances, due nine months after your accounting reference date for a private company. Filing one does not satisfy the other, and each carries its own consequences for lateness. Diarise both.
