Confirmation Statement – what is it, and how do I file one?

The UK introduced new rules on 30 June 2016, replacing the old Annual Return (form AR01) with the annual confirmation statement. It serves a similar purpose, but in a more straightforward way.

Every private limited company and limited liability partnership (LLP) must file one at least once every 12 months. This applies even if the business is not trading.

The point of the statement is to ensure that Companies House records are up to date.

Some information can be updated as part of the confirmation statement, including SIC codes, shareholder information and the statement of capital.

Other changes – such as appointing or removing directors or changing the registered office – must be reported to Companies House separately. You should make these changes before filing the confirmation statement so that the information you are confirming is correct.

If nothing has changed since the last filing, the process is straightforward. Review what Companies House holds for your company, and if you are happy that it is accurate, simply check and confirm.

Register of people with significant control

The confirmation statement also requires you to check the information Companies House holds about who controls the company. You must keep details about your people with significant control (PSCs) up to date.

A PSC is generally someone who meets one or more of the statutory conditions for significant control, such as holding more than 25% of the company’s shares or voting rights, or having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board.

You can read the Companies House guidance on PSCs for the full rules.

Information held about an individual PSC includes:

• Name.
• Date of birth – only the month and year normally appear on the public register.
• Nationality.
• Country of residence.
• Service address.
• Usual residential address – this is not normally shown publicly.
• Date they became a PSC.
• Nature of their control.

Since 18 November 2025, companies no longer have to maintain their own separate PSC register. However, they must still identify their PSCs and keep the information Companies House holds up to date.

Read our guide to Persons of Significant Control.

What to include in a confirmation statement

The purpose of the confirmation statement is to check and confirm the information Companies House holds about your company. Depending on the company, this can include:

• Company name and registration number.
• Registered office address and, if used, your SAIL address.
• Director details.
• Company secretary details, if one has been appointed.
• Principal business activities using SIC codes.
• Shareholder information.
• The company’s statement of capital, where applicable.
• PSC information.
• The company’s registered email address.
• Identity verification details for directors where required.

For a company with shares, the statement of capital includes information such as the total number and aggregate nominal value of the shares, the amount unpaid, the different classes of shares and the rights attached to each class.

Confirmation statement deadline

You must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. Your review period runs from the date of incorporation – or the confirmation date of your last confirmation statement – to your next confirmation date.

You then have 14 days after the end of the review period to file.

For example, if you formed the company on 10 July 2025, your first review period ends on 10 July 2026, and you have until 24 July 2026 to file.

You can file a confirmation statement earlier than your normal confirmation date if you want to. Doing so starts a new 12-month review period.

How do I file?

You can file online or by post. Many companies file via their accountant.

The current fee is £50 for online filing and £110 for a paper confirmation statement.

The fee is payable with the first confirmation statement filed during the company’s 12-month payment period. If you file another confirmation statement during the same payment period, you do not normally pay another fee.

You can file your confirmation statement at GOV.UK.

If you prefer help, speak to your limited company accountant. They can also ensure any underlying changes are submitted before you confirm.

Companies House identity verification and your confirmation statement

Identity verification became a legal requirement for company directors and PSCs from 18 November 2025.

If you are an existing director, you need to verify your identity and provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement filing during the transition period.

If your company has more than one director, you will need the personal code for each director who is required to verify. Companies House will not accept the confirmation statement until the required identity verification details for the directors have been provided.

PSCs must also verify their identities, but the deadline and process depend on their circumstances. In particular, PSC verification is not simply dealt with through the confirmation statement in every case.

See our guide to Companies House ID checks for directors and PSCs, or read the official Companies House guidance on when you need to verify.

What happens if you don’t file a confirmation statement?

Filing a confirmation statement is a legal requirement.

If you fail to file one, the company and its officers may be committing an offence and Companies House can take enforcement action. Persistent failure can also lead to the company being struck off the register.

Unlike late annual accounts, there isn’t an automatic late-filing financial penalty simply for filing the confirmation statement after its deadline. That doesn’t mean you should leave it outstanding – file it as soon as possible.

FAQs

Do dormant companies need to file a confirmation statement?

Yes. Every registered company and LLP must file at least once every 12 months, even if dormant or not trading.

What happens if I miss the 14-day window?

File the outstanding statement as soon as possible. Companies House can take enforcement action, directors can face prosecution and continued failure may result in the company being struck off the register.

Can I use the confirmation statement to report changes?

Some changes, yes. You can use the confirmation statement to update information including SIC codes, shareholder information and the statement of capital.

Other changes, including director appointments and resignations and registered office changes, must be reported separately to Companies House.

Which SIC code should I use?

Pick the code that best matches your business activity. You can use more than one where appropriate and update your SIC codes through the confirmation statement if the company’s activities change.

See our guide to choosing a SIC code.

Do I have to list my full date of birth?

You provide a director’s full date of birth to Companies House, but only the month and year normally appear on the public register. If you don’t want your residential address to appear on the public record, see our guide to using a service address.

How much does it cost to file?

Online filing is £50, and paper filing is £110. The fee is payable with the first confirmation statement during the 12-month payment period, rather than every time you file during that period.

Do I need to verify my identity before filing?

If you are a director whose identity verification is due, yes. Existing directors are required to provide their Companies House personal codes as part of the company’s confirmation statement process.

Check the requirements in advance, particularly if the company has several directors, rather than discovering that a director still needs to verify just before the filing deadline.

Should I ask my accountant to file it?

Many company directors do. Your accountant can make sure that the relevant changes have been lodged correctly and then submit the confirmation statement on your behalf.

However, the company’s directors remain legally responsible for ensuring the confirmation statement is filed.