What Is a Confirmation Statement? Everything UK Company Directors Should Know

Running a limited company in the UK comes with several legal responsibilities, and one of the most important is submitting a Confirmation Statement to Companies House. Although many business owners focus on tax returns and annual accounts, the Confirmation Statement is equally important because it helps ensure that the information held about your company on the public register is accurate and up to date.

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A Confirmation Statement is a statutory filing that must be submitted by almost every UK registered company at least once every 12 months. Introduced in June 2016, it replaced the Annual Return and simplified the process of confirming company information. Rather than providing financial information, the statement confirms that important company details remain correct or allows businesses to update any changes before filing.

The information included in a Confirmation Statement generally covers the company's registered office address, directors, shareholders, share capital, Persons with Significant Control (PSC), and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that describe the nature of the business. If any of these details have changed during the confirmation period, they should be updated before or alongside the filing.

One common misconception is that a company does not need to submit a Confirmation Statement if there have been no changes during the year. In reality, every eligible company must still file the statement, even if all company information remains exactly the same. The filing simply confirms that the existing details held by Companies House are still accurate.

Submitting the Confirmation Statement on time helps businesses remain compliant with UK company law while maintaining transparency for customers, suppliers, lenders, and investors who rely on Companies House records. Accurate company information also helps reduce fraud and supports confidence in the UK business environment.

Failure to file the Confirmation Statement can have serious consequences. Companies House may begin enforcement action, issue warning notices, or even start strike-off proceedings against companies that repeatedly fail to meet their statutory obligations. Company directors may also face legal consequences for continued non-compliance.

Although many directors choose to complete the filing themselves, professional filing services can simplify the process by ensuring company information is reviewed, updated where necessary, and submitted accurately before the deadline. This reduces the risk of mistakes that could delay the filing or create future compliance issues.

Keeping up with annual filing requirements is an important part of managing a successful company. Alongside annual accounts and Corporation Tax obligations, the Confirmation Statement helps maintain your company's legal standing and demonstrates good corporate governance.

If you're unsure about your filing deadline or need assistance preparing your Confirmation Statement, using an experienced filing service can save time and help ensure your company remains fully compliant with Companies House requirements.