The confirmation statement fee is £50 for online or software filing with Companies House in 2026. A paper confirmation statement submitted using form CS01 costs £110. These fees took effect on 1 February 2026. Every UK company, including dormant and non-trading companies, must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months and pay the applicable filing fee when it falls due.
The increase affects the annual cost of maintaining a UK limited company. Directors should understand the current Companies House confirmation statement fee, when payment is required, how online and paper filing compare, and which other statutory filing fees may affect their business. This guide explains the current charges and the practical steps for managing your company’s filing obligations.
What Is the Current Confirmation Statement Fee in 2026?
The standard Companies House confirmation statement fee is £50 for online filing and £110 for paper filing in 2026. Companies House introduced the new rates on 1 February 2026 as part of its revised fee structure.
The confirmation statement, submitted using form CS01, confirms that the information held on the public company register is accurate and up to date. It covers relevant company information, including shareholder details, statement of capital, registered information and people with significant control, depending on the company’s circumstances.
The filing remains compulsory even if the company has not traded or its registered details have not changed. Paying the fee does not replace the need to check the information and report changes through the appropriate Companies House filings.
Companies House confirmation statement fee 2026
The current standard charges are:
Online confirmation statement filing: £50.
Software filing: £50.
Paper confirmation statement using form CS01: £110.
These are statutory Companies House fees, not the fees charged by accountants, company secretarial providers or filing agents. If you use a professional service, check whether its quoted price includes the government filing fee or whether the statutory charge is payable separately.
When did the confirmation statement filing fee change?
The new confirmation statement filing fee took effect on 1 February 2026. Before this change, the digital fee was £34. The revised online fee is £50, while the paper fee is £110.
Companies House reviews its charges to help fund the delivery of registry services. The revised fee structure affects several company registration and filing services, not only confirmation statements.
For businesses managing several companies, the change makes it important to review annual compliance budgets and distinguish government filing charges from professional service costs.
Why Did Companies House Increase Its Filing Fees?
Companies House reviews its fees to reflect the cost of delivering its services. Its work includes maintaining the public register, processing company filings and supporting the administration of company law requirements.
The 2026 fee changes form part of a wider revision of Companies House charges. The revised fees affect incorporation, confirmation statements and other registration services.
Funding registry services and compliance operations
Companies House maintains information that lenders, suppliers, investors, professional advisers and members of the public use when checking UK companies. Processing submissions and maintaining reliable records require administrative and digital infrastructure.
The fee structure helps fund these services. Companies House also has responsibilities connected with improving the reliability of company information and supporting stronger checks under the UK’s company registration framework.
What the increase means for company directors
For a company filing online, the confirmation statement fee is now £50 rather than £34. This represents an additional £16 for a filing that attracts the charge.
Companies with several registered entities should account for the fee across their company portfolio. The actual annual cost depends on the number of companies, the timing of their filings and any professional support they purchase.
The fee is a government charge. A company’s total compliance expenditure may also include accountancy, annual accounts preparation, registered office services and other administrative support.
Who Must Pay the Companies House Confirmation Statement Fee?
Most UK companies must file a confirmation statement and pay the applicable fee when it falls due. The requirement applies to trading, dormant and non-trading companies.
A company does not avoid the filing obligation simply because it has stopped trading, has no revenue or has not changed its registered information.
Do dormant companies have to pay the confirmation statement fee?
Yes. A dormant company must still file its confirmation statement and pay the applicable Companies House fee. Dormant status does not automatically exempt the company from this annual filing charge.
Dormant companies may qualify to submit simplified dormant accounts, subject to the relevant rules. However, accounts and confirmation statements are separate filings with different requirements. An exemption relating to accounts does not remove the confirmation statement obligation.
Do charities and companies limited by guarantee pay the fee?
A charitable company or a company limited by guarantee should not assume that it is exempt from the confirmation statement fee. If it is registered as a company required to file a confirmation statement, the standard applicable Companies House charge generally applies.
Charitable status alone does not provide a general exemption from the confirmation statement fee. Organisations should check their legal structure and filing obligations rather than rely on an assumed waiver.
Do sole traders and ordinary partnerships pay this fee?
Sole traders and ordinary partnerships do not pay the Companies House confirmation statement fee merely because they operate a business. The requirement relates to the relevant registered company filing.
Other legal structures may have different filing requirements and charges. Businesses should identify their legal structure before determining which Companies House fees apply.
How Do You Pay the Confirmation Statement Fee Online?
You can pay the £50 confirmation statement fee through an eligible Companies House online filing service or approved software. The payment process forms part of submitting the statement, and the available payment methods depend on the service used.
Before starting, check the company’s filing deadline and review the information held on the public register.
Step-by-step online payment process
Step 1: Access the appropriate filing service
Use the relevant Companies House online service or software that supports your company’s filing. Some companies qualify for the simpler confirmation statement service, while others need to use WebFiling or another supported method.
Step 2: Identify the company
Enter or select the correct company details. Check the company number and ensure you are filing for the intended legal entity.
Step 3: Review the company information
Check the details that need to be confirmed, including relevant shareholder information, statement of capital, SIC code and people with significant control. Some changes must be reported separately rather than through the confirmation statement.
Step 4: Complete the required declarations
Confirm the information requested by the filing service and ensure that the statement accurately reflects the company’s position.
Step 5: Pay the applicable fee and submit
Follow the payment instructions displayed by the filing service. For a standard online filing attracting the fee, the statutory charge is £50.
Step 6: Retain the filing confirmation
Keep the submission confirmation and relevant records with the company’s compliance documents. Check the public register after submission if you need to verify that the filing has been recorded.
Is a Companies House account the same as a WebFiling account?
Not necessarily. Companies House has different online services and account arrangements. The account required depends on the filing route and the company’s circumstances.
Use the instructions for the specific service rather than assuming that credentials for one Companies House system work in every other system.
Other Companies House Filing Fees in 2026
The confirmation statement fee is one of several statutory charges businesses may encounter. Other fees apply when incorporating a company, changing its name, registering a charge or applying for voluntary strike-off.
The following table summarises selected standard charges published by Companies House.
| Filing or service | Online or digital fee | Paper fee |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation statement | £50 | £110 |
| Standard company incorporation | £100 | £124 |
| Company name change | £20 | £30 |
| Voluntary strike-off | £13 | £18 |
| Registration of a company charge | £14 | £24 |
Fees can depend on the filing method and service selected. The table covers selected standard charges rather than every Companies House service. Check the official Companies House fees guidance before submitting a filing, particularly where a transaction has additional requirements.
How do Companies House fees affect annual compliance costs?
The confirmation statement fee is a statutory cost, but it is not the only expense involved in maintaining a company.
A business may also pay for annual accounts preparation, tax advice, payroll administration, registered office services and professional company secretarial support. These costs vary according to the company’s structure, transactions and support requirements.
Directors should separate government charges from service-provider fees when comparing prices. A provider’s advertised price may cover preparation and submission only, or it may include the Companies House charge. Confirm what is included before purchasing a service.
Online vs Paper Filing: Which Confirmation Statement Method Costs Less?
Online filing is generally the lower-cost option for a standard confirmation statement. The online fee is £50, compared with £110 for a paper CS01 submitted by post.
| Comparison | Online filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Standard statutory fee | £50 | £110 |
| Submission method | Eligible online service or software | Paper form CS01 by post |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
| Processing | Usually more convenient for routine filing | Takes longer than online filing |
The online method saves £60 compared with the standard paper fee. It also allows companies to complete the filing without preparing and posting a physical form.
The correct route depends on the company’s circumstances. For example, certain situations, including restoration of a company to the register, require a paper confirmation statement. Check the official guidance before deciding which method to use.
Is the confirmation statement cost the same if no details have changed?
The fee is not automatically waived because the company’s details remain unchanged. A company still has to complete its annual confirmation statement, and the applicable charge is payable when it falls due.
However, Companies House explains that the annual fee is linked to a 12-month payment period. The £50 fee is payable with the first confirmation statement in that payment period. If another confirmation statement is filed within the same payment period, a second annual fee is not normally due until the next payment period begins.
This distinction matters when a company needs to submit an additional confirmation statement after making changes. Review the company’s payment period and the service’s payment instructions rather than assuming every submission attracts another £50 charge.
When Is the Confirmation Statement Fee Due?
Companies must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. The review period generally runs for 12 months from incorporation for the first statement, or from the confirmation date on the previous statement.
Companies can file early, but they must understand how early filing affects the next review period. The applicable filing deadline is normally within 14 days after the review period ends.
The fee’s payment period is separate from the review period. Companies House states that the annual fee is payable with the first confirmation statement in the relevant 12-month payment period.
For a detailed explanation of filing cycles and deadlines, read our guide on how often a UK company needs to file a confirmation statement.
What happens if you miss the filing deadline?
Failing to file a confirmation statement can leave the company in breach of its filing obligations. Companies House may take action that can ultimately result in the company being struck off the register.
It is important to distinguish confirmation statement non-filing from late annual accounts. The automatic late-filing penalty schedule that applies to company accounts should not be presented as an automatic £100 surcharge for an overdue confirmation statement.
Companies House guidance states that a company can be fined up to £5,000 for failing to file a confirmation statement, and the company may be struck off. The consequences depend on the circumstances and enforcement action taken.
If your company has missed a deadline, address the outstanding filing promptly. Our guide explains what happens if you forget to file your confirmation statement.
Can You Reduce or Avoid the Confirmation Statement Fee?
There is no general discount simply because a company is dormant, has no income or has unchanged details. The applicable statutory fee remains payable when due.
Businesses can manage the overall cost by choosing an eligible digital filing route, keeping company information accurate and avoiding unnecessary administrative work. However, these steps do not remove the underlying legal filing requirement.
Check whether a fee has already been paid in the payment period
Because the payment period is separate from the review period, a company may not need to pay another annual fee for every additional confirmation statement submitted within the same payment period.
Check the company’s filing history and payment details before making assumptions about whether a fee is due. If the position is unclear, consult the official Companies House guidance or obtain professional assistance.
File the statement using the correct method
For standard filings, online submission costs less than paper filing. Companies should use an eligible digital service where appropriate and follow the instructions provided by Companies House.
Do not choose a filing method solely on price if the company’s circumstances require a different route.
Plan ahead rather than relying on last-minute filing
Maintaining a compliance calendar helps directors identify the review period, filing deadline and expected fee in advance. This supports more accurate budgeting and gives the company time to resolve information discrepancies before submitting the statement.
For additional context on filing decisions and service costs, see our guide on whether to file your annual confirmation statement now with a reasonable fee.
How Form My Company Can Help with Confirmation Statement Filing
Form My Company provides a service for companies that need support preparing and submitting their confirmation statement. Professional filing support can help directors organise the information required for submission and complete the process without managing every administrative step themselves.
The statutory Companies House fee and the service provider’s own charge are separate costs. Before placing an order, check the current service price, what the package includes and whether the £50 Companies House charge is included or payable separately.
What information should you prepare?
Before starting a filing, review the company’s registered details and identify any information that needs to be updated. This may include shareholder information, share capital, SIC code and people with significant control.
Some company changes require separate filings before the confirmation statement is submitted. The annual statement should not be treated as a replacement for every notification required by Companies House.
Use a managed filing service
If you prefer support with the process, explore Form My Company’s File a Confirmation Statement service. Review the current service terms and statutory fee arrangements before ordering.
A clear filing process helps directors keep track of their obligations, maintain accurate records and plan for recurring company administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Companies House confirmation statement fee in 2026?
The standard confirmation statement fee is £50 for online or software filing and £110 for paper filing using form CS01. These rates took effect on 1 February 2026. A professional filing service may charge an additional service fee, depending on what is included.
Do dormant companies have to pay the confirmation statement fee?
Yes. Dormant and non-trading companies must still file a confirmation statement and pay the applicable fee when due. Dormant status does not automatically exempt a company from this annual filing requirement.
Do charities receive an exemption from the £50 confirmation statement fee?
There is no general exemption from the confirmation statement fee simply because a company has charitable status. A charitable company should check the filing requirements that apply to its legal structure and pay the relevant statutory fee when due.
Is the £50 fee payable every time a company files a confirmation statement?
Not necessarily. Companies House links the annual fee to a 12-month payment period. The fee is payable with the first confirmation statement in that period, and an additional statement filed within the same payment period does not normally trigger another annual fee. Check the company’s payment position before submitting.
What happens if a company does not file its confirmation statement?
Failure to file can lead to enforcement action, and the company may be struck off the register. Companies House states that a company can be fined up to £5,000 for failing to file. An overdue confirmation statement should be addressed promptly rather than left outstanding.
Is online confirmation statement filing cheaper than paper filing?
Yes. The standard online fee is £50, while paper filing costs £110. Online filing is £60 cheaper for a standard confirmation statement and is generally more convenient, although some circumstances require a paper submission.
Keep Your Confirmation Statement Filing on Track
The 2026 confirmation statement fee is £50 online and £110 by post. Every UK company should review its filing deadline, confirm its registered information and budget for the applicable Companies House charge. Dormant status or unchanged company details do not remove the annual filing requirement.
Check the official guidance whenever you are uncertain about a fee, payment period or filing method. If you want support preparing and submitting the statement, visit Form My Company’s confirmation statement filing service to review the available service and its current terms.
