How to File a UK Company's Confirmation Statement
Every limited company incorporated in the UK must file a Confirmation Statement (formerly the Annual Return) with Companies House at least once a year. It is a declaration that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate as of a specific date. Failing to file is a criminal offence that can result in your company being struck off the register.
What Is Included in a Confirmation Statement?
The Confirmation Statement confirms or updates: the registered office address; the company's principal business activities (Standard Industrial Classification codes); details of the register of members (shareholders) including names, addresses, number and class of shares held; details of people with significant control (PSC register); details of directors and company secretary; details of the statement of capital (total shares issued and their nominal value).
When Must You File?
You must file at least once every 12 months. The review period is 12 months from either your incorporation date or the date of your last Confirmation Statement. You have 14 days after the end of the review period to file. Companies House will send a reminder when your filing is due. You can file early — filing resets the review period.
How to File
The easiest and cheapest way to file is online through the Companies House WebFiling service at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. You will need your authentication code (a 6-character code issued when the company was incorporated, or reset through Companies House). The online filing fee is £34. Paper filing costs £62 and must arrive within 14 days of the review period end.
Updating Information
If any company information has changed during the review period, you update it when filing the Confirmation Statement. Changes to directors, registered office, or share capital should ideally be notified to Companies House separately as they occur (within the legal timeframes), not left until the Confirmation Statement. The Confirmation Statement is not a substitute for real-time updates.
People with Significant Control
All UK companies must maintain and file a PSC register identifying any individual or legal entity with significant control. Significant control is defined as holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise exercising significant influence or control. PSC information must be kept up to date and is publicly visible on the Companies House register.
Consequences of Not Filing
If you fail to file within the legal timeframe, Companies House will send warning notices and eventually begin the process to strike the company off the register. Directors commit a criminal offence by failing to file. A struck-off company's assets vest in the Crown. If you need to restore a struck-off company, this can be done through an administrative or court restoration process — but it is expensive and time-consuming.
Keeping Companies House Records Accurate
From 2024, Companies House has new verification powers and has been more actively chasing filing defaults as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act reforms. Directors who repeatedly fail to file face personal fines. Keep a calendar reminder for your Confirmation Statement due date.
