Confirmation Statement Guide: What UK Companies Need to Know

A confirmation statement is one of the routine legal filings that every UK company must deal with, whether it is actively trading, dormant, newly incorporated or owned by overseas founders. It is easy to confuse a confirmation statement with annual accounts or a tax return. They are not the same. A confirmation statement is primarily about confirming that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate and up to date. Every company must file one at least once every 12 months.

For founders, the filing may look straightforward, but errors in ownership details, people with significant control (PSCs), SIC codes or company information can create unnecessary problems with banks, payment providers, investors and other counterparties. This guide explains what a confirmation statement is, when it is due, what information you need to check, how much it costs, what has changed under the UK's newer identity-verification rules and what happens if you fail to file.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement is an annual filing made to Companies House to confirm that the information recorded about a company remains correct. It replaced the old annual return and applies to companies registered in the UK, including companies that are dormant or not currently trading. The important distinction is this:

Confirmation statement: confirms and updates company information held by Companies House.

Annual accounts: report the company's financial position and performance.

Corporation Tax Return: reports taxable profits and Corporation Tax information to HMRC.

A confirmation statement therefore does not replace your accounts or tax obligations.

Why does it matter?

The Companies House register is used by banks, investors, suppliers, customers, professional advisers and government bodies to understand who owns and controls a company. For an online business or a company owned by non-UK residents, keeping the public record accurate can be particularly important. A mismatch between your company's actual ownership and the information on the register may lead to additional questions during compliance checks.

When Is a Confirmation Statement Due?

Every company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. For a first confirmation statement, the review period generally begins on the company's incorporation date. For subsequent statements, the relevant period is based on the confirmation statement date from the previous filing.

Companies House allows you to file the confirmation statement up to 14 days after the review period ends. For example, suppose a company was incorporated on 10 September 2026. Its first review period would run for approximately 12 months from incorporation. The company should monitor its confirmation statement date and file within the permitted period rather than waiting until the last moment. You can check the company's filing deadline through the Companies House company information service and sign up for email reminders.

Can you file early?

Yes. You do not have to wait until the end of the review period. If you file early, a new review period begins. This can be useful where a founder wants to ensure that Companies House records are updated before an important bank application, investment round or other compliance process.

What Information Does a Confirmation Statement Check?

Before filing, directors should treat the confirmation statement as an opportunity to conduct a company-record health check. Depending on the company's circumstances, relevant information can include:

• Registered office details
• Directors and company secretary information
• People with significant control (PSCs)
• Shareholders
• Share capital
• SIC code or business activity
• Trading status of shares
• Certain PSC exemption information
• Registered email address
• Identity-verification details for directors where required

Companies House specifically states that confirmation statements can be used to report changes to SIC codes, statement of capital, share trading status, certain PSC exemption information and shareholder information. Other changes must be reported separately. That last point is important: you should not wait for the confirmation statement to report every change to your company.

What Should You Check Before Filing?

A practical pre-filing review should cover five areas.

1. Company details

Check that your registered office and other core company information remain accurate. This is particularly important for companies using professional registered-office services. If correspondence arrangements have changed, make sure the company's official records are still correct.

2. Directors and officers

Check the company's directors and other relevant officers. If someone has resigned, been appointed or changed their details, make sure the appropriate Companies House filing has been made rather than assuming the confirmation statement will automatically correct everything.

3. Shareholders and share capital

Review who owns the company and whether the share information remains accurate. This matters particularly after:

• New share issues
• Share transfers
• Founder restructures
• Investment rounds
• Changes in ownership percentages

For example, if an overseas founder owns 100% of a UK company when it is incorporated but later transfers 30% to a business partner, the company's records need to reflect the new ownership structure correctly.

4. People with significant control

PSCs are individuals or entities that have significant ownership or control over a company. A company should carefully review its PSC information, particularly following changes in share ownership or control arrangements. The PSC regime is an important part of the UK's corporate transparency framework, so inaccurate information should not be treated as a minor administrative issue.

5. SIC code

The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code describes what your company does. A company that began as a marketing consultancy but has since developed into an e-commerce business may need to review whether its registered SIC code still accurately represents its principal activities. The SIC code can matter beyond Companies House. Banks, payment processors, insurers and other organisations may use company information as part of their onboarding or risk assessment processes.

How Much Does a Confirmation Statement Cost?

As of 2026, the Companies House fee is:

The online confirmation statement fee increased to £50 from 1 February 2026. The fee is not necessarily payable every time you submit a confirmation statement. Companies House operates a separate 12-month payment period, and the annual fee is payable with the first confirmation statement filed within that payment period. For most straightforward companies, online filing is therefore the simpler and cheaper option.

How to File a Confirmation Statement

The basic process is relatively simple.

Step 1: Review the company record

Find your company's record through Companies House and review the information currently held. Do not simply click through the filing process without checking the underlying information.

Step 2: Identify changes

Determine whether anything has changed since the last confirmation statement. If a change requires a separate filing, deal with that separately rather than relying on the confirmation statement.

Step 3: Complete the confirmation statement

Eligible companies can file online through the Companies House service. The online service currently requires information such as the company number, Companies House account details and authentication information. The standard online filing fee is £50.

Step 4: Complete identity verification requirements

This is now an increasingly important part of UK company compliance. Companies House identity verification became a legal requirement under reforms introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Current Companies House guidance states that directors need to verify their identities and provide their personal codes as part of the confirmation statement process. A company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all its directors are verified. Identity verification can be completed online or through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), including eligible professional advisers.

For international founders, this development is particularly relevant because Companies House says identity verification can be completed from any country, subject to the applicable process.

What Happens If You File Late?

Failing to file your confirmation statement is more serious than simply missing an administrative deadline. Companies House can impose a fine of up to £5,000, and the company may ultimately be struck off the register if the filing obligation is ignored. That can have much broader consequences than the penalty itself. A company being struck off can disrupt:

• Business banking
• Payment processing
• Supplier relationships
• Contracts
• Investment activity
• Corporate credibility
• Access to company assets

For a founder operating a UK company from abroad, keeping the company in good standing is especially important. A UK company is not simply "set and forget" after incorporation.

Confirmation Statements for Non-Resident Founders

One of the most common misconceptions among international entrepreneurs is that living outside the UK somehow removes the company's Companies House obligations. It does not. A UK company remains subject to its UK filing obligations regardless of whether its shareholders or directors live overseas. A non-resident founder should therefore maintain a compliance calendar covering at least:

• Confirmation statement
• Annual accounts
• Corporation Tax obligations
• Changes to directors
• PSC changes
• Registered-office information
• Shareholder changes
• Identity verification requirements

This distinction is important for founders using UK companies to serve international customers. IncorpUK, as a UK company formation and management platform serving global founders, fits into this wider ecosystem: incorporation is only the beginning. Ongoing company administration and statutory compliance still need attention.

Confirmation Statement vs Annual Accounts

These two filings are frequently confused.

A company can therefore have filed its accounts correctly but still have an overdue confirmation statement. Likewise, filing a confirmation statement does not mean your company's tax obligations have been dealt with.

A Practical Confirmation Statement Checklist

Before filing, work through this checklist:

Company

• [ ] Registered office is correct
• [ ] Registered email requirements have been addressed
• [ ] SIC code accurately reflects the business
• [ ] Trading status is correct

Directors and PSCs

• [ ] Directors are correctly recorded
• [ ] Director details are accurate
• [ ] PSC information is correct
• [ ] Required identity verification has been completed

Ownership

• [ ] Shareholders are correct
• [ ] Share capital is accurate
• [ ] Recent share transfers have been reported
• [ ] Recent share issues have been reported

Filing

• [ ] Confirmation statement date checked
• [ ] Filing deadline recorded
• [ ] £50 online fee budgeted where applicable
• [ ] Filing confirmation saved

Keeping a copy of the submitted confirmation statement and confirmation of filing is sensible for your internal records.

Common Confirmation Statement Mistakes

Treating it like a tax return

The confirmation statement is not a financial return. It is primarily about confirming company information.

Assuming "no changes" means "no filing"

Even if nothing has changed, you still need to file the confirmation statement.

Waiting for Companies House to remind you

Companies House provides reminder services, but responsibility ultimately rests with the company.

Ignoring shareholder changes

Ownership changes can affect both shareholder records and PSC information. These should be reviewed carefully.

Forgetting identity verification

Under the current rules, identity verification is now an important part of Companies House compliance for directors and PSCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a confirmation statement mandatory?

Yes. Every UK company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, including dormant and non-trading companies.

How often do I need to file a confirmation statement?

At least once every 12 months. You can also file earlier if needed, which starts a new review period.

How much does a confirmation statement cost?

The current Companies House fee is £50 for online filing and £110 for paper filing.

Do I file a confirmation statement if my company is dormant?

Yes. Dormant and non-trading companies still have to file confirmation statements.

Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?

No. A confirmation statement confirms company information, while annual accounts report financial information. They are separate obligations.

Can I file a confirmation statement early?

Yes. Companies House allows companies to file before the end of their current review period. Filing early starts a new review period.

What happens if I do not file?

Companies House can impose a fine of up to £5,000, and persistent failure can lead to the company being struck off.

Do overseas directors have to deal with confirmation statements?

Yes. Being based outside the UK does not remove the company's UK filing obligations. Overseas directors should also pay attention to the current identity-verification requirements.

Can I use an accountant or company formation provider?

Yes. A professional adviser or authorised corporate service provider can help with company administration and filing. However, directors remain responsible for ensuring that the company's legal obligations are met.

Conclusion

A confirmation statement is a simple filing with an important purpose: keeping the UK's official record of your company accurate. The best approach is not to treat it as an annual box-ticking exercise. Use the filing as a regular corporate health check. Review your ownership, PSCs, directors, SIC code, share capital and other company information before submitting it.

For international founders, the discipline matters even more. A UK company can be incorporated from abroad, but it still needs to be maintained properly in the UK. With the online filing fee currently at £50, mandatory identity verification now forming part of Companies House compliance, and penalties for persistent non-compliance potentially reaching £5,000, staying ahead of the confirmation statement deadline is a small task compared with the problems an overlooked filing can create.

The simplest rule is worth remembering: check your company record, correct changes promptly, verify the required identities, and file your confirmation statement on time every year.