How do I file a confirmation statement with Companies House?

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is used to confirm 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, even if there have been no changes to the company’s information.

The confirmation statement is separate from your company’s annual accounts and Company Tax Return. These are separate filing requirements with different purposes and deadlines.

Identity verification

All company directors must have verified their identity with Companies House before the company’s confirmation statement can be filed. Once verified, each director receives a unique Companies House personal code. You’ll need this code when filing the company’s confirmation statement.

People with significant control (PSCs) are also required to verify their identity and provide their personal code to Companies House. The deadline for doing this depends on their circumstances.

What information do I need to check?

Before filing your confirmation statement, you should check that the information Companies House holds about your company is correct and up to date.

This includes:

• your registered office address and registered email address
• details of your directors and company secretary, if you have one
• details of your people with significant control (PSCs)
• your company’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, which describes its business activities
• your statement of capital and share information, where applicable
• details of your shareholders, where applicable.

Some changes must be reported to Companies House separately before you file the confirmation statement, while other information can be updated as part of the confirmation statement.

You’ll also need to confirm that the company’s intended future activities are lawful.

When and how do I file a confirmation statement?

You must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months, even if none of your company’s information has changed.

Your company has a review period, which normally:

• starts on the date your company was incorporated or the day after the end of its previous review period; and
• lasts for 12 months.

You must file your confirmation statement within 14 days of the end of the review period. You can file more frequently if you need to, which will start a new 12-month review period.

The easiest way to file is online using the Companies House service. You can also use suitable company filing software. You’ll normally need your company’s authentication code to file online.

What happens if I don’t file?

It’s a legal requirement to file a confirmation statement. If you don’t file it on time, the company and its officers may be prosecuted and the company could be struck off the register.