Every UK limited company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once a year. It's one of the most important compliance obligations for directors — and missing the deadline can have serious consequences. Here's everything you need to know.
What is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement (formerly known as an annual return) is a document that confirms your company's key information is up to date on the Companies House register. It's not a financial document — it doesn't include your accounts or profit and loss figures. Instead, it confirms details such as:
- Registered office address
- Director and secretary details
- Shareholder information
- Share capital and structure
- Person with Significant Control (PSC) details
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
When Do You Need to File?
You must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. Your filing deadline is based on your company's confirmation date — which is either the date your company was incorporated or the date of your last confirmation statement.
You have 14 days after your confirmation date to file the statement. Companies House will send a reminder to your registered office address, which is another reason why keeping that address up to date and monitored is so important.
How Much Does It Cost?
Filing a confirmation statement costs £34 if filed online (as of 2026). Paper filing costs £62. The fee covers a 12-month filing period, so you only pay once per year regardless of how many times you update your information during that period.
How to File a Confirmation Statement Online
Filing online is the quickest and cheapest method. Here's how:
- Go to the Companies House WebFiling service
- Sign in with your company's authentication code (sent to your registered office address)
- Review your company's current information
- Make any necessary updates (address changes, director changes, share changes, etc.)
- Confirm the information is correct and submit
- Pay the £34 filing fee
The process typically takes around 10–15 minutes if your information is already up to date.
What if Your Information Has Changed?
The confirmation statement is an opportunity to update any information that has changed since your last filing. You can update:
- Registered office address (using form AD01)
- Director details (using form CH01)
- PSC information
- Shareholder details and share capital
Note that some changes — such as director appointments or resignations — should be reported to Companies House as they happen, not just at confirmation statement time.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
Missing your confirmation statement deadline is a serious matter. Companies House may:
- Issue a formal warning to your registered office address
- Begin the process of striking off your company from the register
- Prosecute directors for failing to comply — this is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006
If your company is struck off, it will cease to exist as a legal entity, which has major implications for any ongoing contracts, bank accounts, and business operations.
The Importance of a Reliable Registered Office Address
Companies House sends your confirmation statement reminder to your registered office address. If that address is invalid, unmanned, or not properly monitored, you risk missing the reminder and the deadline.
Using a professional registered office address service from Spectre Offices ensures all statutory correspondence — including your confirmation statement reminder — is received and forwarded to you promptly. We handle mail from Companies House and HMRC on your behalf, so you never miss an important deadline.
Summary
Filing your confirmation statement is a straightforward but essential annual task. File online via Companies House WebFiling, pay the £34 fee, and make sure your company information is accurate and up to date.
To ensure you never miss a Companies House reminder, use a reliable registered office address service from Spectre Offices.
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