Every UK limited company has to file a confirmation statement once a year — but plenty of directors aren’t sure what it actually is or how it differs from their accounts. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a confirmation statement?
A confirmation statement (form CS01) is an annual filing to Companies House that confirms the information they hold about your company is correct and up to date. It doesn’t report your finances — it’s a check on your company’s details.
It replaced the old “annual return” in 2016, and every limited company and LLP must file one, even if nothing has changed and even if the company is dormant.
What it confirms
When you file, you’re confirming (and updating if needed):
- Registered office address
- Directors and any company secretary
- Shareholders and the share capital (statement of capital)
- People with Significant Control (PSC) — anyone owning or controlling more than 25%
- SIC codes — what your company does
- A registered email address (now required)
If any of these have changed during the year, some are updated through the confirmation statement, while others (like appointing a new director) must be filed separately first.
The deadline and cost
- Deadline: once every 12 months. Your “review period” usually starts on the anniversary of incorporation (or your last statement), and you have 14 days after it ends to file.
- Cost: £34 online (or £62 by post), paid once per 12-month payment period.
Companies House sends reminders, but the legal responsibility sits with the directors — so don’t rely on the reminder alone.
Confirmation statement vs accounts
This is the most common confusion. They’re two separate filings:
| Confirmation statement | Annual accounts | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Confirms your company details | Reports your finances |
| Form | CS01 | Statutory accounts |
| Cost | £34/year | No filing fee |
| Deadline | Yearly review period | 9 months after year-end |
You need to do both. We explain the accounts side in our guide to limited company accounts.
How to file it
You can file the confirmation statement yourself through Companies House’s online service: check each section, update anything that’s changed, confirm it’s correct, and pay the £34 fee. It only takes a few minutes if your details are up to date.
Why it matters
Missing a confirmation statement isn’t a minor slip — it’s a criminal offence, and Companies House can begin striking your company off the register if it thinks you’ve stopped trading. That can freeze your bank account and put company assets at risk.
Never miss a filing
Keeping on top of the confirmation statement, your accounts and your Corporation Tax — each with its own deadline — is exactly the kind of admin that’s easy to let slip. Our company formation and secretarial service handles your confirmation statement and statutory filings for you, and our accountants for limited companies keep every deadline covered so nothing ever falls through the cracks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a confirmation statement?
How much does a confirmation statement cost?
When is the confirmation statement due?
What happens if I don't file a confirmation statement?
Is a confirmation statement the same as accounts?
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Reviewed by Provense Accountants
Written and reviewed by our team of qualified accountants (AAT-regulated). This guide is general information, not personal tax advice — book a free consultation for advice on your situation.