UK Confirmation Statement Guide 2026: What It Is, When to File & Cost

Every UK limited company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months. Miss it and your company risks being struck off. This guide explains what the confirmation statement is, what it contains, when it's due, and how to file it — including the updated 2026 fee of £50.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement (form CS01) is an annual filing submitted to Companies House that confirms your company's registered information is correct and up to date. It replaced the old Annual Return in June 2016.

Unlike the Annual Return, the confirmation statement does not require you to re-enter all company information every year. Instead, you review the existing information held at Companies House and confirm it is still accurate — or update anything that has changed.

The confirmation statement is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006. It is separate from your annual accounts, which are filed with HMRC and Companies House on a different schedule.

Who Must File?

All UK limited companies must file a confirmation statement, including:

• Private limited companies (Ltd)
• Public limited companies (PLC)
• Limited liability partnerships (LLP)
• Dormant companies
• Companies with no trading activity
• Non-resident owned UK companies

There are no exemptions based on company size, trading status, or the nationality of directors and shareholders.

What Information Does the Confirmation Statement Contain?

The confirmation statement covers the following information as at the confirmation date:

Registered Office Address

The official address where Companies House correspondence is sent. This must be a physical UK address in the same part of the UK as your registered jurisdiction (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland).

Principal Business Address (SAIL)

If your company uses a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) — a separate address where company records are kept — this must be confirmed.

Directors and Company Secretary

Names, addresses, dates of birth (day and month only on public record), and appointment dates for all directors. The company secretary details if one is appointed (optional for private companies).

Shareholders and Share Capital

The names of all shareholders, the number and class of shares they hold, and the total issued share capital. For companies with complex share structures, a full statement of capital is required.

SIC Codes

Your company's Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, which describe the nature of your business activities. You can have up to four SIC codes. See our SIC codes guide for help choosing the right ones.

PSC Register (Persons with Significant Control)

Details of anyone who owns more than 25% of shares, voting rights, or otherwise controls the company. See our PSC register guide for full details.

When Is the Confirmation Statement Due?

You must file your confirmation statement within 14 days of the end of your 12-month review period. The review period runs from either:

• Your company's incorporation date (for the first year), or
• The date of your last confirmation statement

For example, if your company was incorporated on 15 March 2025, your first confirmation statement review period ends on 14 March 2026, and you have until 28 March 2026 to file.

Companies House sends reminder emails in advance of the due date. You can also check your due date by searching your company on the Companies House register.

Cost of Filing a Confirmation Statement in 2026

From 1 February 2026, Companies House increased the confirmation statement fee as part of a wider fee restructuring.

Filing Method	Fee (from Feb 2026)	Previous Fee
Online (WebFiling)	£50	£34
Paper (CS01 form)	£110	£62

The fee covers the full 12-month review period. If you file multiple confirmation statements within one year (e.g., to record a mid-year change), you only pay the £50 fee once — subsequent filings within the same review period are free.

Note: If your formation package includes a first confirmation statement filing, this is usually the only year you pay through the formation agent. In subsequent years, you can file directly with Companies House (£50) or use 1st Formations' confirmation statement service (£75.99/year including the £50 fee) for a hassle-free experience.

How to File a Confirmation Statement Online

Filing online takes approximately 10–15 minutes. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Go to Companies House WebFiling at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
2. Sign in with your company's authentication code (a 6-character code sent by post when you incorporated). If you have lost it, request a new one — it takes 5 business days by post.
3. Select "File a confirmation statement" from your company's filing options.
4. Review each section — registered office, directors, shareholders, SIC codes. Confirm each section is correct or make updates.
5. Pay the £50 fee by debit or credit card.
6. Submit. You will receive an email confirmation and the statement will appear on the Companies House register within 24 hours.

What to Do If Information Has Changed

The confirmation statement is not the right place to notify Companies House of most changes. Many changes must be filed separately — and promptly — using specific forms:

Change	Form	Deadline
New director appointed	AP01	14 days
Director resigned	TM01	14 days
Director's address changed	CH01	14 days
Registered office changed	AD01	14 days
Share transfer / new shareholder	SH01 or stock transfer form	1 month
SIC code change	Via confirmation statement	At next CS filing

Shareholder changes and SIC code updates can be made as part of the confirmation statement itself — you do not need a separate form for these.

What Happens If You File Late or Miss the Deadline?

Unlike annual accounts, there is no automatic financial penalty for late confirmation statement filing. However:

• Strike-off risk: If Companies House does not receive a confirmation statement for an extended period, it may assume the company is no longer active and begin the process of striking it off the register.
• Criminal offence: Persistent failure to file is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Directors can be prosecuted and fined.
• Credit and banking impact: Overdue filings appear on the public Companies House record and can affect your ability to open bank accounts or obtain credit.

If your company has been struck off for non-filing, it can be restored — but this is expensive (£500+ in fees) and complex. Filing on time is always easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?

No. They are separate filings with different purposes. The confirmation statement confirms your company's structural information (directors, shareholders, registered office). Annual accounts report your company's financial performance (profit/loss, balance sheet). Both are required annually but have different deadlines and are filed on different schedules.

Do dormant companies need to file a confirmation statement?

Yes. A dormant company — one that has had no significant transactions — must still file a confirmation statement every year. The only companies exempt from filing are those that have been formally dissolved.

My company was formed by an agent. Who files the confirmation statement?

Your formation package may include the first year's confirmation statement filing. After that, it is your responsibility unless you have an ongoing compliance service. Check your formation package details — 1st Formations' All Inclusive package includes a compliance service that handles ongoing filings.

Can a non-UK resident director file the confirmation statement?

Yes. Filing is done online via the Companies House WebFiling portal. There is no requirement to be in the UK. You will need your company authentication code.