What Is a Confirmation Statement? Companies House Filing

Confirmation Statement A recurring Companies House filing confirming that specified information held about a company is accurate and up to date.

The Confirmation Statement is the statutory return UK companies must submit to Companies House to confirm the company’s registered details and key statutory information are current. It replaced the former annual return in 2016 as part of an effort to simplify ongoing filing obligations. The statement does not replace accounts or tax filings; it is a snapshot for the public register that helps anyone checking a company’s record — banks, suppliers, customers, and regulators — see that the basic register entries remain correct.

What The Confirmation Statement Typically Covers

The Confirmation Statement asks companies to confirm or update information that is already held on the public register. Typical items include:

• Registered Office: The official postal address where statutory mail is sent and where records are kept.
• Service Addresses And Director Details: Names, service addresses and date of birth (month and year) for directors and, where applicable, company secretaries.
• Person With Significant Control (PSC): Records of individuals or legal entities that have significant control — ownership or influential rights over the company.
• Share Capital And Shareholders: A confirmation of issued share capital, class of shares, and statement of shares and shareholders where applicable (not all companies issue shares).
• People With Significant Control Statements: Whether a PSC register is held and whether the company is a small company for filing exemptions.

Why The Filing Matters

Maintaining an accurate Confirmation Statement keeps a company compliant with Companies House rules and preserves the integrity of the public register. Lenders, trading partners and prospective acquirers rely on the register to check who legally controls and manages a business. Errors or outdated entries can delay credit checks, due diligence and contractual onboarding. For regulated sectors, accurate public records also help meet compliance checks performed by regulators and customers.

How Often It Must Be Filed

Companies must file a Confirmation Statement at least once every 12 months. The filing period is measured from the company’s ‘confirmation date’ — normally 12 months after the last confirmation date or incorporation date. Companies can file more frequently if they wish to update information sooner; a new confirmation date is set on filing.

Filing Methods And Fees

Companies can file the Confirmation Statement online using Companies House WebFiling or third-party software, or by submitting a paper form (CS01). Online filing is quicker and cheaper. There is a small statutory filing fee for both online and paper submissions; the exact fee is listed on the Companies House website and is subject to periodic change.

Who Is Responsible For Filing

Legally, the company is responsible for ensuring the Confirmation Statement is filed. In practice the task is usually completed by company officers (directors), the company secretary, an external accountant, or a corporate service provider. If a third party files, the company remains responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied.

Practical Tips For Warehouse, 3PL, And Logistics Companies

• Label:Keep A Filing Calendar: Align the confirmation date with your operational year-end or a low-activity month to avoid conflicts with busy periods.
• Label:Centralise Records: Store PSC, director appointment/resignation and share ledgers in a single digital folder to speed up the review before filing.
• Label:Coordinate With Partners: If you use an agent, confirm who has authority to file and keep a record of the power of attorney or permission form.
• Label:Use Online Filing: Online submissions reduce processing time and typically cost less than paper.

In short, the Confirmation Statement is the formal, recurring declaration that Companies House holds correct, up-to-date statutory information for a company. It’s a compliance obligation with practical consequences for trading relationships, credit checks and regulatory transparency.