What is the Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is a mandatory filing required from all limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) registered in the United Kingdom. Companies must submit this document to Companies House at least once every 12 months, even if the company is dormant or not actively trading. The confirmation statement, introduced on 30 June 2016, replaced the annual return and serves the same purpose but in a more streamlined format.
Purpose of the Confirmation Statement
The primary purpose of the confirmation statement (Companies House form CS01) is to verify that the company data held by Companies House remains accurate. It ensures that all essential company information, as of a specific date, is correct and up to date. Starting on 5 March 2024, companies and LLPs must also include a ‘statement of lawful purposes’ to confirm that their intended future activities comply with the law.
If any details are incorrect or outdated when the statement is due, companies should update this information before or alongside the submission. Unlike the annual return, the confirmation statement simplifies the process since you only need to confirm or update existing information, without re-entering unchanged details from the past 12 months.
If no changes have occurred, you simply verify and confirm the details that Companies House already holds.
What to include in a Confirmation Statement
When filing a confirmation statement, you must check and confirm several pieces of information, including:
- Registered office address
- Single alternative inspection location (SAIL address)
- Company officers (directors, company secretary, LLP members)
- Location of statutory registers (registered office, SAIL address, or at Companies House)
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes describing the company’s business activities
- Shareholder names and details
- Statement of capital, including:
- Total number of issued shares
- Nominal value and aggregate unpaid amount
- Rights attached to each share class
- Trading status of shares
- People with Significant Control (PSCs)
- Exemption from maintaining a PSC register, if applicable
From 5 March 2024, companies will also need to include a registered email address in the confirmation statement. Although this address won’t be publicly disclosed, Companies House will use it for official communications. In subsequent filings, businesses must confirm the accuracy of the email address.
Can I report changes using the Confirmation Statement?
Yes, the confirmation statement allows you to update specific details, such as:
- SIC codes
- Shareholder information
- Statement of capital
- Trading status of shares
- Exemption from keeping a PSC register
For other changes, such as updates to officer details, People with Significant Control (PSCs), or the registered office address, you will need to submit separate Companies House forms either before or alongside the confirmation statement.
Confirmation Statement filing deadline
You must file a confirmation statement at least once per year, within 14 days of the end of your 12-month review period. This review period begins:
- On the date of company formation, or
- On the statement date of the previous confirmation statement.
The review period ends the day before the anniversary of the company’s formation or the statement date of the prior confirmation statement.
For example:
If you form a company on 1 September 2024, your review period will end on 31 August 2025. The filing deadline for your confirmation statement will then be 14 September 2025.
Who is responsible for filing a Confirmation Statement?
Company directors are legally responsible for ensuring that confirmation statements and other statutory documents are submitted on time. Even if these tasks are delegated, such as to a company secretary, the directors remain liable. In LLPs, designated members hold responsibility for submitting confirmation statements.
Failure to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence and can lead to serious consequences, including company dissolution and disqualification or prosecution of company officers.
What if I don’t have any changes to report?
Even if your company has no changes to report, you must still file a confirmation statement to confirm that all details are accurate. This verification is the key purpose of the confirmation statement, ensuring Companies House maintains accurate records.
How do I file a Confirmation Statement?
You can file a confirmation statement using one of three methods:
- By post using form CS01 (or LL CS01 for LLPs).
- Online through WebFiling.
- Through a company formation agent like Startxpress.
Filing online is recommended for its speed and ease. It allows you to complete the form with built-in checks and pre-filled data. Companies House charges a single annual fee, regardless of how many times you file during the 12-month review period, allowing you to make updates at no additional cost.
At Startxpress, we offer an Online Confirmation Statement Service to ensure hassle-free submission.
Difference between Confirmation Statement and Annual Accounts
The confirmation statement and annual accounts are both annual obligations, but they serve different purposes. The confirmation statement verifies the company’s structural information as of a specific date. Annual accounts, however, detail the company’s financial performance over the previous year. Both documents must be submitted to Companies House, and annual accounts are also required by HMRC.
Confirmation Statements for Dormant Companies
Even if your company is dormant and not actively trading, you are still required to file a confirmation statement annually. While there may be no operational changes, you must verify and confirm that the internal structure remains the same.
What happens if I forget to file a Confirmation Statement?
If you miss the filing deadline for your confirmation statement, it is essential to submit it as soon as possible. While there are no direct financial penalties for late submission, failing to file is a criminal offence. Continued non-compliance may result in the company being struck off the register, and its assets transferred to the Crown. Furthermore, company officers or LLP members may face prosecution.
Email Reminders
To avoid missing the deadline, Companies House sends a reminder to your registered office. However, you can also register for email reminders to receive notifications about important filing dates, ensuring you stay compliant.
Do you have any other questions?
For more details, check out the Startxpress Help Center and Blog.
If you have any additional questions about the confirmation statement process or need clarification on any part of your filing obligations, feel free to reach out. Whether you’re unsure about deadlines, filing procedures, or what specific information needs to be updated, we are here to help.
You can contact our support team at support@startxpress.io for personalized assistance. We aim to ensure your company remains fully compliant with all statutory requirements. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need help with other company-related services as well – we’re always ready to assist!
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