What is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement (formerly known as an annual return) is a document that every UK limited company must file with Companies House at least once every 12 months. It confirms that the information held on the Companies House register about your company is accurate and up to date, including details of directors, shareholders, registered office address, and share capital.
The confirmation statement is not the same as your annual accounts — it is a separate filing requirement.
When is the Confirmation Statement Due?
Your confirmation statement is due within 14 days of the end of your review period. Your review period is 12 months from either the date your company was incorporated or the date of your last confirmation statement.
Companies House will send a reminder to your registered office address when your confirmation statement is due. This is one of the key reasons why it is important to have a reliable registered office address service that ensures you receive official correspondence promptly.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
Missing your confirmation statement deadline is a serious matter. Here is what can happen:
Late Filing Penalties
Unlike late accounts, there is no financial penalty for filing a confirmation statement late. However, the consequences of not filing at all are severe.
Company Strike-Off
If you fail to file your confirmation statement, Companies House may assume your company is no longer active and begin the process of striking it off the register. This means your company could be dissolved — effectively ceasing to exist as a legal entity.
Criminal Liability
Failing to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Directors can be prosecuted and fined for non-compliance.
Reputational Damage
A company that has been struck off or has compliance issues visible on the Companies House register can suffer significant reputational damage with clients, suppliers, and financial institutions.
What Should I Do if I Have Missed the Deadline?
If you have missed your confirmation statement deadline, act quickly:
- File your confirmation statement as soon as possible — you can do this online via the Companies House WebFiling service. Even if it is late, filing promptly reduces the risk of strike-off action
- Check your company status — log in to Companies House to check whether any strike-off action has been initiated
- Seek professional advice — if your company has already been struck off, it may be possible to restore it, but this is a more complex and costly process
How to Avoid Missing Future Deadlines
The best way to avoid missing your confirmation statement deadline is to:
- Set a calendar reminder for your review period end date
- Ensure your registered office address is reliable and that official correspondence reaches you promptly
- Use an accountant or company secretary service to manage your compliance filings
How Spectre Offices Can Help
At Spectre Offices, our registered office address service ensures that all official Companies House correspondence — including confirmation statement reminders — is received and forwarded to you promptly. We help you stay on top of your compliance obligations so you never miss an important deadline.
Explore our registered office address services across the UK.
Summary
Missing a confirmation statement deadline can have serious consequences, including company strike-off and criminal liability for directors. If you have missed a deadline, file as soon as possible and check your company status. To avoid future issues, ensure your registered office address is reliable and set reminders for your filing dates.
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