- Filing fee: £34 online (£62 by paper)
- Due: at least once every 12 months from incorporation or last filing date
- Grace period: 14 days after the due date before late penalties
- Missed filing: Companies House can strike off the company
- PSC register: as a sole director-shareholder, you are the PSC — must be kept up to date
What is a confirmation statement?
The confirmation statement (CS01) replaced the old annual return in June 2016. Unlike the annual return, you do not have to re-enter all company details each time — instead, you review what Companies House already holds and confirm it is accurate, making any updates that are needed.
The confirmation statement is not a financial document. It does not report profits, turnover, or tax. It simply confirms the corporate structure of the company is correctly recorded.
What the confirmation statement covers
| Information reviewed | Notes |
|---|---|
| Registered office address | Must be a UK address; publicly visible |
| Principal business activities (SIC codes) | Standard Industrial Classification — describes what the company does |
| Directors' details | Name, date of birth (month/year only publicly), nationality, service address |
| Company secretary | If applicable (not required for private companies) |
| Share capital | Total shares issued, nominal value, currency |
| Shareholders (members) | Names, shares held, class of shares |
| Persons with Significant Control (PSC register) | Anyone with 25%+ shares or voting rights |
When the confirmation statement is due
The filing window opens on your confirmation statement due date and closes 14 days later. The due date is calculated from:
- First CS: 12 months from the date of incorporation
- Subsequent CS: 12 months from the date the last CS was filed (not the due date — the actual filing date)
Companies House sends a reminder email before the due date if you have a registered email address. Most accountants handle the CS as part of their annual service bundle — confirm this with yours.
How to file the confirmation statement
- Log into Companies House WebFiling at ewf.companieshouse.gov.uk
- Select 'File a confirmation statement'
- Review the pre-populated company information
- Make any changes (new director, new shareholder, address change, SIC code update)
- Confirm the information is accurate
- Pay the £34 filing fee by debit/credit card
- Receive confirmation and updated company record
Changes that must be reported — and when
Some changes must be reported to Companies House immediately (within 14 days), not just at the annual confirmation statement:
| Change | When to report | Form |
|---|---|---|
| New director appointed | Within 14 days | AP01 (individual) or AP02 (corporate) |
| Director resigns | Within 14 days | TM01 |
| Director details change (e.g., address) | Within 14 days | CH01 |
| Registered office address changes | Within 14 days | AD01 |
| New PSC or PSC details change | Within 14 days | PSC01/PSC04 |
| Share transfer | At next confirmation statement (or immediately if preferred) | CS01 update |
Do not wait for the annual confirmation statement to report changes that require immediate notification. Filing late can result in a fine, and outdated records on Companies House are visible to clients, banks, and suppliers.
Persons with Significant Control (PSC register)
The PSC register records individuals with significant control over the company. A PSC is anyone who:
- Holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights
- Has the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board
- Has the right to exercise significant influence or control
As a sole director-shareholder owning 100% of your company, you are the PSC. Your name, country of residence, nationality, and nature of control are publicly visible on the Companies House register. Your date of birth and home address are restricted — only month and year of birth are shown, and you can suppress your home address.
Service address vs home address: You must provide a UK service address for Companies House correspondence. This can be your accountant's address or a virtual office address — it does not have to be your home. Using your accountant's address for service keeps your home address private, though the home address must still be provided (and is held securely, not published).
What happens if you don't file?
Failure to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence by the company and every officer. Companies House will:
- Send warning letters to the registered office
- Issue a First Gazette notice — publicly notifying intent to strike off
- Issue a Second Gazette notice — the company is formally struck off the register
- The company is dissolved — all assets vest in the Crown (bona vacantia)
Restoration is possible via court order, but costs £1,500–£3,000 in legal fees and takes several months. Always file on time — the £34 annual fee and a few minutes' work prevents an extremely disruptive outcome.
Use the calculator
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't file the confirmation statement?
Do I need to file even if nothing has changed?
What is a PSC and why does it matter?
Can I file the confirmation statement early?
What is my SIC code and how do I know if it's correct?
Important: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules change — always verify current rates and thresholds with HMRC or a qualified accountant before making decisions.