Confirmation Statement: What Happens if You Don’t File?

Key Takeaways

• Confirmation Statement Filing is mandatory: Every UK limited company and LLP must file a confirmation statement at least once a year, even if it`s a dormant company.
• New 2026 Fees: As of 1 February 2026, it costs £50 to file confirmation statement online and £110 by post.
• Strict Deadlines: You have a 14-day window after your 12-month review period ends to meet the confirmation statement deadline.
• Severe Penalties: Failing to file can lead to your company being struck off the register, personal fines for directors, and a damaged business reputation.
• Updates first: You must update major changes (like a new registered office or director) before filing confirmation statement forms, not on the statement itself.

What is a confirmation statement?

It as a mandatory annual snapshot of your company’s management and ownership structure.

Previously known as the annual return, a company house confirmation statement is a document that verifies the information that you provide is up-to-date and complete. Filing a confirmation statement does not guarantee 100% accuracy on your company information. Even if absolutely nothing has changed in your business—or if your company is completely dormant—you still have to declare that the existing details are correct.

Confirmation Statement vs. Annual Accounts

It is incredibly common to confuse confirmation statements with annual accounts. Here is a quick breakdown of the difference:

Who is responsible for filing confirmation statement?

Legally, the company directors are squarely responsible for the companies house confirmation statement filing.

Even if you outsource the task to a company secretary, an accountant, or a formation agent, the buck stops with you, the director. If the filing is late or inaccurate, Companies House will hold the company's board accountable. In an LLP, the designated members carry this responsibility.

For more on company director`s responsilibities, check our guide.

How much is a UK confirmation statement?

If you plan to file a confirmation statement, be aware that Companies House increased its fees significantly on 1 February 2026 to cover the costs of tackling economic crime.

• To file confirmation statement online: £50
• To file by paper (Form CS01): £110

You only pay this fee once per 12-month payment period. This means if you need to file multiple times in a single year to update records, you won't be charged again until your next payment period begins.

What does a confirmation statement include?

When you sit down to file my confirmation statement, you are verifying the following details:

• Company name and registration number.
• Registered office address.
• Registered email address (a new requirement as of March 2024, kept private).
• Details of directors and the company secretary.
• Information on People with Significant Control (PSCs).
• Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes (what your business actually does).
• Statement of capital and shareholder details.
• A declaration that your company's future activities will be lawful.

Crucial tip: The statement is meant to confirm data. If you need to change your registered office or appoint a new director, you must file those specific update forms with Companies House before filing confirmation statement documents.

On that front you may want to have a look at new legal requirements on identity verification rules in 2026.

When is my confirmation statement due?

Your Ltd company confirmation statement is tied to a 12-month "review period". For a new company, this period starts on the day you incorporate and ends exactly 12 months later. For existing companies, it starts the day after your last statement was dated.

Once that review period ends, the official confirmation statement deadline gives you exactly 14 days to submit the paperwork and pay the fee.

For example, you incorporated your company on January 1, 2025. Your first review period would run until December 31, 2025. Once this review period ends, your confirmation statement deadline would then be January 14, 2026. By this date, you must have submitted your confirmation statement and paid any applicable fees to remain compliant with Companies House. Missing this deadline could result in penalties or even your company being struck off the register, so it's crucial to plan ahead.

Can I file my confirmation statement early?

Yes, absolutely. You can choose to file confirmation statement updates with Companies House at any time before the deadline.

Many business owners do this if they have just restructured their shares or changed directors and want the public register to reflect the new, clean data immediately. Keep in mind that filing early simply resets the clock—your next review period will begin the day after your early filing date.

What happens if I file confirmation statement late?

Missing the deadline is a serious offence. If you file late, your company immediately goes into default. While there isn't an automatic sliding scale of late fees like there is for annual accounts, the consequences are severe. Your public record will show the late filing, which can instantly spook lenders, suppliers, and potential investors.

For confirmation statements, there is no direct financial penalty for late filing itself. However, failing to file can lead to your company being struck off the Companies House register, effectively dissolving the business.

What happens if I don`t file confirmation statement?

If you completely ignore the requirement, things escalate quickly.

Companies House will assume your business is no longer operating and will begin the compulsory strike-off process. This means your business will be dissolved, its bank accounts frozen, and any assets will go to the Crown. Furthermore, failing to file is a criminal offence, meaning directors can face personal prosecution and hefty fines.

For more, check Companies House`s own strike off guide.

What happens if I make a mistake on the confirmation statement?

Don't panic. If you submitted the form and later realise there was an error in your what is a company confirmation statement submission, you can fix it. You simply need to file a "second filing" of the confirmation statement to correct the public record. As long as you are within the same 12-month payment period, you won't have to pay the £34 fee again.

TL;DR

• An annual confirmation statement is used to verify your company's management and structural details with Companies House.
• Filing fees: It costs £50 to file online and £110 for a paper filing.
• Deadline: You must file within 14 days of your 12-month review period ending.
• Penalties: If you miss the deadline, your company could be struck off the register and your business bank accounts may be frozen.
• Responsibility: Directors are legally responsible for filing the confirmation statement, even if an accountant does it on their behalf.

File a Confirmation State Now!

Worried about filing your confirmation statement? Getting it wrong or missing the deadline can lead to serious penalties, like having your company struck off the register. With UK corporate law tightening in 2024, staying compliant is more crucial than ever.

You started your business to grow, not to get lost in red tape. At Debitam, our online accountants handle your Companies House confirmation statement filing from start to finish. We track your deadlines, ensure every detail is accurate, and file on your behalf.

Don't let deadlines sneak up on you. Contact Debitam today and let us secure your company's compliance, so you can focus on what you do best.

FAQ's

1. What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is a mandatory annual document filed with Companies House that verifies your company's key details are up-to-date, including directors, registered address, shareholders, and SIC codes. Previously known as the annual return, it must be filed even if nothing has changed in your business.

2. Who is responsible for filing a confirmation statement?

The company's directors are legally responsible for filing the confirmation statement, even if the task is outsourced to a company secretary, accountant, or formation agent. In an LLP, the designated members carry this responsibility.

3. How much does a UK confirmation statement cost?

As of 1 February 2026, it costs £50 to file a confirmation statement online and £110 to file by paper (Form CS01). You only pay this fee once per 12-month payment period, even if you file multiple times within that period.

4. What does a confirmation statement include?

A confirmation statement includes your company name and registration number, registered office address, registered email address, details of directors and company secretary, People with Significant Control (PSC) information, SIC codes, statement of capital and shareholder details, and a declaration that future activities will be lawful.

5. When is my confirmation statement due?

Your confirmation statement is tied to a 12-month review period. Once that period ends, you have exactly 14 days to file. For example, if you incorporated on 1 January 2025, your review period runs until 31 December 2025, making your deadline 14 January 2026.

6. Can I file my confirmation statement early?

Yes. You can file your confirmation statement at any time before the deadline. Filing early simply resets the clock — your next 12-month review period begins the day after your early filing date.

7. What happens if I file my confirmation statement late?

Missing the deadline puts your company into default. There is no automatic late filing fee, but the late filing will be visible on your public record, which can damage your credibility with lenders, suppliers, and investors. Continued failure to file can result in your company being struck off the Companies House register.

8. What happens if I don't file a confirmation statement?

If you fail to file, Companies House will assume the business is no longer operating and begin a compulsory strike-off process. This means your company will be dissolved, its bank accounts frozen, and any assets passed to the Crown. Failing to file is also a criminal offence, meaning directors can face personal prosecution and significant fines.

9. What happens if I make a mistake on my confirmation statement?

You can correct errors by filing a second confirmation statement to update the public record. As long as you are within the same 12-month payment period, you will not need to pay the filing fee again.