An introduction to the annual confirmation statement

The annual confirmation statement is a statutory (legal) filing that companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) must deliver to Companies House at least once per year.

Introduced in 2016 as a replacement for the annual return, it confirms a number of things about your company, including that the corporate data registered at Companies House is accurate. For some of this data, the confirmation statement itself can be used to update Companies House.

In this article, we discuss the purpose and requirements of the annual confirmation statement in detail, including how and when to file this document with Companies House.

What is the purpose of a confirmation statement?

The confirmation statement serves several purposes for limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). One of the main ones is to verify the accuracy of information held on the public register at Companies House up to the ‘confirmation’ date, including:

• registered office address
• registered email address
• SAIL address (Single Alternative Inspection Location)
• details of every director and company secretary
• shareholders’ details
• issued share capital
• LLP members’ details (LLPs only)
• nature of business activities (specified by SIC codes)
• information about People with Significant Control (PSCs)
• location of statutory company registers and records

In addition to confirming that the information at Companies House is correct, it also confirms that your intended future activities are lawful. This requirement was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

How does the confirmation statement differ from the annual return?

When filing an annual return, companies have to provide all aforementioned corporate details on each return, even if there were no changes since the last annual return was filed.

You don’t have to do this with the confirmation statement. Instead, you simply review the details currently held on record and confirm that they are accurate and up to date as of the confirmation date.

• Company filing and reporting requirements
• Reporting changes to Companies House
• LLP filing and reporting requirements explained

Where there are changes, the statement can be used to update certain information. The details you can change are the shareholders’ details, certain changes to your share capital and share trading status, and your company’s SIC codes.

If you need to report any other changes to Companies House, you must file the appropriate form(s) before the confirmation statement.

What is the confirmation date?

The confirmation date replaces the ‘made-up’ date of the abolished annual return. It is the date up to which you must confirm that your company details are accurate.

It will fall on the day before the anniversary of company formation or the anniversary of the last confirmation date (whichever is later).

When to file a confirmation statement

The company officers (directors and company secretaries) and designated LLP members are responsible for delivering a confirmation statement to Companies House at least once every 12 months. The filing deadline is 14 days after:

• the day before the anniversary of company registration, or
• the day before the anniversary of the date on which you filed your last confirmation statement

How to file a confirmation statement

You can complete and deliver a confirmation statement online or by post using form CS01. The most effective method is online filing, such as through the Rapid Formations’ Client Admin Portal.

If the company information registered on public record is correct, you simply need to confirm that the details are accurate and up to date.

You must pay £34 to file online and £62 to file a paper confirmation statement by post. This is a one-off charge per year, regardless of how many statements or updates you file within a 12-month period.

With the annual return, companies had to pay a fee every time they filed the document.

How do I check when my next confirmation statement is due?

If you’re not sure when your next confirmation statement is due, you can easily check by doing the following:

1. Go to the Companies House website.
2. Search your company name using the search bar.
3. Select your company by clicking on its name. This will open up the company overview, where you can see a number of details about your company.
4. Under the “Confirmation statement” heading, you will see the next due date listed for you.

What happens if I forget to file my confirmation statement?

If you forget to file your confirmation statement, you could lose your company. This is because if one is not submitted, Companies House will assume your company is no longer required and will therefore move to strike off (close) your company.

In addition, the company’s officers risk prosecution, as it is a criminal offence not to file one. Submitting late can also have reputational risks – for example, investors or customers may view you as unreliable.

It’s best to avoid ever finding yourself in this position. To do so, set up email reminders and add the dates to your calendar. Using service providers like Rapid Formations to handle your confirmation statement will also help ensure you don’t miss anything.

What happens if I file my confirmation statement early?

If you file your confirmation statement early, that’s no problem. The 12-month deadline for your next confirmation statement resets based on the confirmation date of the filing you just made.

Do I need to provide a full list of shareholders?

You do not need to provide a list of your shareholders unless your company’s shareholdings have changed – for example, you need to report a share transfer or the names of the recipients of an issue of shares.

Dormant company requirements

Dormant companies must still submit a confirmation statement to Companies House at least once every year. If you fail to do so, you will face the same consequences as any other company that forgets to submit their confirmation statement – as we discussed above.

Submit your confirmation statement

It’s really important as a director of a company to stay on top of your legal duties and responsibilities. Filing your confirmation statement is one of the simpler but nonetheless important requirements. Failing to get it filed on time can have serious consequences for both you and your company.

If you’re ready to submit your confirmation statement or want to help make sure it’s filed on time, then Rapid Formations’ Confirmation Statement Service will ensure this is completed quickly and accurately for you.

Alternatively, for complete support, consider the Full Company Secretary Service, which includes the submission of the confirmation statement free of charge.