Introduction
If you run a UK limited company, you'll have heard of the Confirmation Statement — but many directors aren't entirely clear on what it is, what it covers, or when it needs to be filed. Missing the deadline can result in penalties and, in serious cases, your company being struck off the Companies House register. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A Confirmation Statement (previously known as the 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 Companies House holds about your company is accurate and up to date. It's not the same as your annual accounts — it's a separate filing requirement.
What Does It Cover?
The Confirmation Statement confirms key information about your company, including your registered office address, the nature of your business (SIC code), details of your directors and company secretary (if applicable), details of persons with significant control (PSC), your share capital and shareholder information, and whether you're keeping certain registers at Companies House or at a different location.
You're not required to make changes — if everything is correct, you simply confirm that the existing information is accurate. If anything has changed, you update it as part of the filing.
When Do You Need to File It?
You must file a Confirmation Statement at least once every 12 months. Your filing deadline is 12 months after either your company's incorporation date or the date of your last Confirmation Statement. Companies House will send a reminder to your registered office address when your filing is due.
You can file more frequently than once a year if you need to update your company information — for example, if a director changes or your share structure is amended.
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What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the Confirmation Statement deadline is a serious matter. Companies House will issue a warning, and if the filing remains outstanding, the company can be struck off the register — effectively ceasing to exist as a legal entity. Directors of struck-off companies can also face personal liability for company debts incurred after the strike-off date. The penalties for missing this deadline are significant, which is why it's essential to know your due date and file on time.
How Do You File a Confirmation Statement?
You can file your Confirmation Statement online via the Companies House website. The current filing fee is £34 for online filing. The process is straightforward — you log in to your Companies House account, review the information held about your company, make any necessary updates, and confirm that everything is accurate.
How to Make Sure You Never Miss the Deadline
The most reliable way to avoid missing your Confirmation Statement deadline is to know your due date and set calendar reminders well in advance. Companies House sends reminders to your registered office address — so it's essential that your registered office address is reliable and that correspondence is monitored and forwarded to you promptly.
If you use a registered office address service, make sure your provider has a reliable process for notifying you of official correspondence. Missing a Companies House reminder because it wasn't forwarded is not an acceptable excuse for a late filing.
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Conclusion
The Confirmation Statement is a straightforward but essential annual filing requirement for every UK limited company. Know your deadline, keep your company information up to date, and make sure your registered office address is reliable so you never miss an official reminder.
Spectre Offices provides registered office address services with reliable mail forwarding, and Companies House admin support for UK limited companies — helping you stay compliant and on top of your filing obligations.
Find out how Spectre Offices can support your Companies House compliance today.
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