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March 1, 2021

May 7, 2024

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How to File a Confirmation Statement With Companies House

Companies House Updates

Company Filings & Records

🔑 Key Highlights

On 30 June 2016, Companies House introduced the confirmation statements to replace the annual return form AR01, reshaping the regulatory landscape for companies.
Its main objective is to “confirm” company information Companies House holds is correct and current.
All UK-registered companies, including dormant and non-trading businesses, are required to file an annual confirmation statement.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

It is an annual statutory filing requirement for UK private limited companies and LLPs, which verifies that your business particulars held by Companies House are correct at a specific date. You must file at least one confirmation statement at least once a year.

By complying with the requirement, companies uphold transparency and guarantee the accuracy of corporate information within the public domain.

What Information Is Included in a Confirmation Statement?

Before submitting your confirmation statement, search for your company in the public register to review the information Companies House has on record for your company.

Examine it and identify any incorrect or out of date info.

Based on what you find, prepare and submit your confirmation statement to “confirm” the accuracy of your company details or make any required amendments.

The company data to assess in the register which is what you’ll be confirming as accurate in your statement includes —

Registered office address;
Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL);
Company officials include the director, secretary, and LLP members;
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes (i.e., the company’s principal business activities);
People with Significant Control;
Exemption from keeping a PSC;
Name of each shareholder
Shares held by each
Statement of Capital which includes -
- Total number of issued company shares
- Share class or classes
- Total number of issued shares of each share class
- Total nominal value of each share class
- Aggregate amount unpaid
- Prescribed particulars of the rights attached to each class of share
- Currency of the share value
Trading status of shares

🛈 Quick Reference

According to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, existing companies with a confirmation statement date from 5 March 2024 must give a registered email address when they file their next statement. Further, starting on 4 March 2024, new companies must provide a registered email address in their application for incorporation. The email address will not appear in the public record.

Five Things to Know About Confirmation Statements

How to File Your Confirmation Statement With Companies House Online and Make Changes to Your Company Information

To hand in your confirmation statement and update your company details online with Companies House every 12 months, follow these steps:

Use the Companies House search service to retrieve the current information they have on your company.
Assess if any changes have occurred since the last confirmation statement filing. Even if your company is dormant, not trading, or no changes have occurred, filing remains a mandatory requirement.
You can only report the following changes through your confirmation statement —
- SIC codes
- Shareholder details
- Statement of capital
- Trading status of shares
- Exemption from keeping a PSC register

Please note that the following changes are reported through other Companies House forms.

Company name;
Registered office addresses;
Constitutions;
Director or secretary;
Changes in the address where statutory registers are kept or
PSCs information.

For a more detailed guide, refer to the comprehensive information provided in this GOV.UK guide.

✅ Insight

The confirmation statement validates that the limited company or LLP records as held by the Registrar are accurate and current. As a result, every existing company, regardless of its trading status, must confirm this information annually.

To file your statement follow the steps below –

Sign in to Companies House WebFiling – or register if you haven’t already
Click on ‘Your Companies’ in the second option on the bottom menu.
Enter your company number in the search box.
Click on the click on the ‘file confirmation statement’ on your company overview screen.
On the screen that loads up next, you can change the date of your next statement and report if your company has been admitted to trading on a market (stock exchange).
Click on “next” and you’ll then have the different areas that the system will ask you to confirm. These are —
1. Is the registered office address correct?
2. Are the officer's details accurate?
3. Are company records held at a single alternative inspection location?
4. Is the Standard Industrial Classification Code correct?
5. Is the statement of capital accurate?
6. Are the shareholders and their indicated particulars correct?
7. Are the details of the people with significant control current?

If there is any detail that does not reflect a recent filing, you are required to complete the relevant form and ensure that the details are reflected before filing the confirmation statement to Companies House.

Once you confirm everything is correct, click on the ‘confirm’ check box and submit.

❌ Warning

Remember, the statement simply confirms that the information the Registrar holds about your company is accurate and up to date. Therefore, you may need to file a separate form if there is any discrepancy.

After clicking on ‘Your Companies’ at the top menu and clicking on the relevant company you want to file for, click on the ‘Company Overview’ link on the left panel. Once the page loads, you’ll see a blue button on the top right-hand corner labelled ‘all forms.’ You can now use any required form to update any information that is out of date, and once done, continue the process of filing the statement.

When Is My Confirmation Statement Due?

You need to file a confirmation statement within 14 days of every 12 months from the date of incorporation. After the first year, subsequent statements should be filed every 12 months from the last confirmation statement date.

The period between the first statement and the date when the next one is due is, known as the review period. For instance, if your company files a confirmation statement on 30 September 2024. Your next review period starts on 1 October 2024 and ends on 30 September 2025.

Remember, all limited companies and limited liability partnerships, even those with no changes to report, are required to verify their company information is correct and up to date.

✅ Insight

You can file a statement at any time during your review period, as often as you like or as soon as any reportable changes occur in the company. With each filing, a new review period begins from the submission date, and the subsequent deadline is 14 days of the end of your review period. It's worth noting that, if you opt to file multiple statements within a review period, you only pay the annual fee with your first confirmation statement during the 12-month review period.

FAQs

What steps should I take if my company has been struck off and my business bank account is frozen due to failing to submit a Confirmation Statement?

When a company no longer trades or fails multiple times to comply with legal requirements, Companies House marks it for Compulsory strike-off to remove it from the official register so that it ceases to exist as a distinct business entity.

Before starting the strike-off process, Companies House typically issues at least two warning notices. These notices inform directors about the impending strike-off and explain its reasons.

Several factors can lead to an involuntary strike-off, including —

Failure to file confirmation statements;
Neglecting to submit accounts;
All directors resigning or being removed without replacement;
Failture to inform Companies House about a change of registered address; and
Ceasing trading without filing for dormancy.

Companies House can commence the compulsory strike-off process if any of the above circumstances arise.

You’ll have at least two months to comply with the requirements mentioned in the warning notice. Seek professional advice or engage Companies House directly to help navigate the situation and explore possible remedies.

❌ Warning

Suppose your company has outstanding debts in the form of unpaid taxes to HMRC. In that case, they may file a winding-up petition seeking the liquidation of your company to pay off its debts. The petition will be advertised in the Gazette and become public knowledge. In response, banks will likely promptly freeze your accounts to mitigate potential liability associated with withdrawals made after the petition's filing.

Upon receiving a compulsory strike-off notice, address the reasons cited by informing Companies House of your operational status and promptly filing any necessary documents.

After compliance, redirect your attention to addressing frozen accounts by following these steps:

Settle the winding up petition by clearing any outstanding debt using your private funds.
Seek a validation order to authorise specific transactions into and out of your bank account during this period.
Negotiate a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), including a formal repayment plan.
If necessary, explore the option of closing the company voluntarily through a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL).

These strategic steps can help navigate the complexities associated with a compulsory strike-off, allowing you to address immediate concerns and potentially find a resolution that aligns with your company's circumstances.

🛈 Quick Reference

How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?

It costs £34 to file your confirmation statement online via WebFiling, and £62 to send your Companies House form CS01 by post. While this method involves traditional mail, it remains a valid option for those who prefer or require a non-digital submission.

It's crucial to consider the mode of filing that best suits your preferences and circumstances. Online filing is generally faster and may offer real-time confirmation, while postal submissions may take longer due to the manual processing involved. Ensure you factor in these costs and choose the method that aligns with your company's needs and timeline.

What happens when I forget to file my confirmation statement?

Even if you have a company secretary or accountant, the director is ultimately responsible for meeting company filing requirements, like confirmation statements. If you miss the filing deadline, there could be consequences such as late filing penalties, legal implications, and potential damage to your company's good standing. It's essential to prioritize these filings to avoid complications and ensure compliance with regulatory obligations. Since you can file as many confirmation statements as you want during a review period, consider filing as soon as a reportable change occurs.