Confirmation Statement UK: Complete Guide to Filing CS01 for Limited Companies

Every UK limited company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once a year. Missing this requirement can result in your company being struck off the register, directors being disqualified, and penalties that follow you for years. This complete guide explains what confirmation statements are, when they're due, and how to file correctly every time.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement (form CS01) is an annual filing that confirms your company's information is accurate and up to date on the Companies House register. Think of it as an annual "health check" for your company's public record.

It replaced the old Annual Return (form AR01) in June 2016, making the process simpler and more streamlined.

What Does a Confirmation Statement Confirm?

Your confirmation statement confirms the following information is correct:

• Registered office address - Where official company correspondence is sent
• Directors and secretaries - Names, addresses, dates of birth, nationalities
• Shareholders - Names, addresses, and shareholdings
• SIC codes - Standard Industrial Classification codes describing your business activities
• Statement of capital - Details of share structure and total value
• People with Significant Control (PSC) - Individuals or entities with significant influence over your company
• Exemption from keeping a PSC register - If applicable

Important: The confirmation statement doesn't file changes. It simply confirms that what's already on the public register is correct. If anything has changed, you must file the relevant change forms separately before submitting your confirmation statement.

When Is a Confirmation Statement Due?

Your confirmation statement has a specific due date based on your company's review period.

The Review Period Explained

Every company has a review period that starts from either:

• The date of incorporation (for new companies), or
• The day after the previous confirmation statement was made up to

The review period runs for 12 months.

The Filing Deadline

You must file your confirmation statement within 14 days of the end of your review period.

So if your review period ends on 15 January 2026, your filing deadline is 29 January 2026.

Example Timeline

Can You File Early?

Yes. You can file your confirmation statement at any point during your review period, not just at the end. Many directors choose to file shortly after incorporating to get it out of the way.

However, be aware that filing early starts a new 12-month review period from the date you file. This means you'll need to file again sooner than if you waited until the end of the original period.

Multiple Confirmation Statements Per Year

You can file more than one confirmation statement per year if needed. Some companies do this when making significant changes to ensure the public register is updated promptly.

What Information Is Confirmed?

Let's look at each section of the confirmation statement in detail.

Registered Office Address

This is the official address where Companies House sends correspondence and where legal documents can be served. It must be a physical address in the UK (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, depending on where your company is registered).

You cannot use a PO Box as your registered office.

Directors and Secretaries

The confirmation statement confirms that all current directors (and company secretary, if you have one) are correctly listed. This includes:

• Full name
• Former names (if applicable)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• Service address (can be different from residential address)
• Residential address (kept on private register, not public)

Shareholders (Statement of Capital)

Your statement of capital confirms:

• Total number of shares
• Total aggregate nominal value
• Share classes (ordinary, preference, etc.)
• Details for each share class including rights attached

For companies with share capital, you must also confirm the details of all shareholders (members) including their names, addresses, and number of shares held.

SIC Codes

SIC codes describe what your business does. Every company must have at least one, and you can have up to four. Common SIC codes include:

• 62020 - Information technology consultancy
• 70229 - Management consultancy activities
• 82990 - Other business support service activities
• 74909 - Other professional activities

You can find the complete list of SIC codes on the Companies House website or use their SIC code lookup tool.

People with Significant Control (PSC)

The PSC register identifies individuals or entities with significant control over your company. Someone is a PSC if they:

• Hold more than 25% of shares
• Hold more than 25% of voting rights
• Have the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors
• Have the right to exercise significant influence or control
• Have the right to exercise significant influence or control over a trust or firm that itself satisfies any of the above conditions

For most small companies, the PSC will be the founder or majority shareholder.

How to File a Confirmation Statement

You have two options for filing: online (recommended) or by paper.

Filing Online via Companies House

The easiest and cheapest way to file is through the Companies House online filing service:

1. Log in to your Companies House account at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
2. Select your company from your account dashboard
3. Click "File confirmation statement" in the available filings section
4. Review each section - The system pre-populates with existing information
5. Confirm or update each section (remember: changes must be filed separately first)
6. Pay the fee - £13 for online filing
7. Submit - You'll receive immediate confirmation

The online process typically takes 10-15 minutes if no changes are needed.

Filing by Paper (Form CS01)

You can download and complete form CS01 from the Companies House website and post it with a cheque. However, paper filing:

• Costs £40 (compared to £13 online)
• Takes longer to process (up to 10 working days)
• Has higher rejection rates due to errors

Paper filing is really only necessary if you don't have access to online services.

Using Third-Party Filing Software

Many accounting and company secretarial software packages can file confirmation statements directly with Companies House. AccountsOS tracks your confirmation statement deadline and can remind you when it's approaching.

How Much Does a Confirmation Statement Cost?

The fee is payable each time you file a confirmation statement. There's no annual subscription or additional charges from Companies House.

Penalties for Late Filing

Unlike HMRC tax deadlines, Companies House doesn't charge late filing penalties for confirmation statements. However, the consequences of not filing are severe.

Company Strike-Off

If you fail to file your confirmation statement, Companies House will:

1. Send warning letters to your registered office
2. Publish a notice in The Gazette stating their intention to strike off your company
3. Strike off your company from the register (typically 2-3 months after the notice)

A struck-off company:

• Ceases to legally exist
• Cannot trade, employ people, or enter contracts
• Has all assets (including bank accounts) frozen and eventually passed to the Crown (bona vacantia)

Director Disqualification

Directors of companies that are struck off for non-compliance can face disqualification from acting as a director for up to 15 years. This affects your ability to run any company, not just the one that was struck off.

Restoration Costs

Restoring a struck-off company is expensive and time-consuming:

• Administrative restoration: £100+ and up to 6 months
• Court restoration: £1,000+ and several months

Criminal Prosecution

In serious cases, failing to file statutory documents can result in criminal prosecution. Officers of the company can be fined up to £5,000 for each offence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Filing Changes via Confirmation Statement

The confirmation statement only confirms existing information. If details have changed, you must file the appropriate change form first:

File these changes, wait for confirmation from Companies House, then file your confirmation statement.

Mistake 2: Confusing Confirmation Statement with Annual Accounts

These are separate filings with different deadlines:

You need to file all three to stay compliant.

Mistake 3: Wrong PSC Information

PSC errors are the most common reason for confirmation statement rejections. Common issues include:

• Listing PSCs who no longer qualify (shareholding fell below 25%)
• Missing PSCs (forgetting to add someone who acquired shares)
• Incorrect "nature of control" entries
• Missing date of birth or nationality

Review your PSC register carefully before filing.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Filing Requirement

Some directors assume that if nothing has changed, they don't need to file. This is wrong. You must file a confirmation statement every year even if absolutely nothing has changed.

Mistake 5: Letting Someone Else Handle It Without Checking

If you use an accountant, formation agent, or company secretary to file your confirmation statement, you're still responsible as a director. Check that:

• The filing is actually submitted (not just promised)
• The information confirmed is accurate
• You receive confirmation of filing

How AccountsOS Helps with Confirmation Statements

Staying on top of Companies House deadlines whilst running a business is challenging. AccountsOS automatically tracks your confirmation statement deadline alongside your other company filing requirements.

Deadline Tracking

AccountsOS calculates your confirmation statement due date based on your incorporation date or last filing. You'll see it clearly in your dashboard alongside VAT returns, annual accounts, and corporation tax deadlines.

Automatic Reminders

We send timely reminders before your confirmation statement is due:

• 4 weeks before deadline
• 2 weeks before deadline
• 3 days before deadline

This gives you plenty of time to review your company information, file any changes, and submit the confirmation statement without last-minute stress.

Companies House Integration

AccountsOS syncs with Companies House to keep your company information accurate. When you update director details or other company information in AccountsOS, it flags that you need to file the relevant forms before your next confirmation statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a confirmation statement CS01?

A confirmation statement (form CS01) is an annual filing required by all UK limited companies. It confirms that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate, including details about directors, shareholders, registered office, and people with significant control.

How often do I need to file a confirmation statement?

You must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months. Your review period runs for 12 months from incorporation or your last confirmation statement, and you have 14 days after the review period ends to file.

What happens if I don't file a confirmation statement?

If you don't file, Companies House will eventually strike your company off the register. This means your company ceases to exist, assets are frozen, and you may face director disqualification. There are no cash penalties, but strike-off consequences are far worse.

Can I file a confirmation statement myself?

Yes, you can file online through the Companies House website for £13. You'll need your company authentication code, which was sent to your registered office when the company was formed. If you've lost it, you can request a new one.

Do I need an accountant to file a confirmation statement?

No, you don't need an accountant. The online filing process is straightforward and designed for directors to complete themselves. However, if your company has complex share structures or multiple PSCs, professional help may be valuable.

What's the difference between a confirmation statement and annual accounts?

A confirmation statement confirms your company details are correct on the Companies House register. Annual accounts are financial statements showing your company's trading performance and financial position. Both must be filed, but to different timescales and for different purposes.

How long does it take for a confirmation statement to be processed?

Online filings are usually processed immediately or within a few hours. Paper filings can take up to 10 working days. You'll receive email confirmation once your filing is accepted.

Can I change my company details on the confirmation statement?

No, the confirmation statement only confirms existing information. If details have changed (new director, different address, changed shareholdings), you must file the appropriate change forms first, then file your confirmation statement.

What if I file my confirmation statement late?

Companies House doesn't charge late filing penalties, but they will begin strike-off proceedings if you don't file. The first step is warning letters, followed by Gazette notices, then strike-off. Act immediately if you've missed your deadline.

Do dormant companies need to file confirmation statements?

Yes, all limited companies must file confirmation statements, including dormant companies that aren't trading. Dormant companies also need to file dormant accounts with Companies House, though these are simpler than full accounts.

What is the fee for a confirmation statement?

The fee is £13 for online filing or £40 for paper filing. This must be paid each time you file. Most directors choose online filing for the lower cost and faster processing.

Where do I find my confirmation statement deadline?

Log in to your Companies House account and select your company. Your next confirmation statement due date will be displayed on the company overview page. AccountsOS also tracks this deadline automatically and sends reminders.

Stay Compliant with Companies House

Filing your confirmation statement on time is a fundamental responsibility for every UK company director. While it might seem like simple admin, the consequences of not filing can be devastating for your business.

The good news is that confirmation statements are straightforward to file once you understand the process. Keep your company information up to date throughout the year, file changes promptly, and set reminders before your due date.

AccountsOS makes compliance effortless by tracking all your filing deadlines in one place. From confirmation statements to VAT returns to corporation tax, you'll always know what's due and when. No more missed deadlines, no more Companies House warning letters, no more stress.

Ready to simplify your company compliance? Start your free AccountsOS trial today and let our AI-powered platform keep you on track with every filing deadline.