The confirmation statement deadline is the date by which a UK company must submit its annual confirmation statement to Companies House. Companies generally have 14 days after the end of their 12-month review period to file. The exact due date depends on the company’s confirmation date and filing history, so checking the official company record is essential.
Every UK company, including dormant and non-trading companies, must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. The filing confirms that the information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date, even when no changes have occurred. Missing the deadline can lead to legal consequences, financial penalties and potential removal from the register.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is a statutory filing that allows a company to confirm the accuracy of its information on the Companies House register. It is submitted using form CS01 or the relevant online filing service.
The statement helps keep public company records reliable for customers, suppliers, lenders and other organisations that need to verify business information.
Before filing, a company should check its registered office address, directors, people with significant control, shareholder information and other relevant details. Some changes must be reported separately before the confirmation statement is submitted.
The confirmation statement replaced the annual return in June 2016. It is a recurring legal obligation under the Companies Act 2006, rather than an optional update.
Confirmation Statement Deadline: When Is It Due?
A UK company must submit its confirmation statement within 14 days after the end of its review period. The review period generally runs for 12 months, beginning with incorporation for the first statement or following the applicable confirmation date for subsequent statements.
The deadline is not necessarily the company’s incorporation anniversary or the date it last submitted a filing. Companies should check the confirmation date and filing deadline displayed on the official Companies House register.
How the Deadline Works
| Situation | How the deadline is determined |
|---|---|
| First confirmation statement | The review period starts from incorporation and runs for 12 months. |
| Subsequent statement | The review period is determined by the previous confirmation date and the applicable statutory rules. |
| Filing deadline | The company generally has 14 days after the review period ends. |
| Early filing | An early filing can establish a new confirmation date and affect the next review period. |
| No company changes | The statement must still be filed even when all information remains unchanged. |
The safest approach is to check the official company record rather than calculate the deadline from memory.
How to Calculate Your Confirmation Statement Review Period
The review period determines when the next confirmation statement becomes due. Companies should understand the distinction between the review period, confirmation date and final filing deadline to avoid confusion.
Step 1: Find Your Company’s Incorporation Date or Previous Confirmation Date
For a first filing, start with the company’s incorporation date. For later filings, check the confirmation date recorded for the previous statement.
Do not automatically use the date on which the previous statement was submitted. The confirmation date and submission date are not always identical.
Step 2: Establish the End of the Review Period
For the first confirmation statement, the review period runs for 12 months from incorporation. For subsequent statements, the review period follows the applicable statutory rules based on the previous review period and confirmation date.
If the company filed early, the next review period may change. Check the official record to establish the correct date.
Step 3: Allow the 14-Day Filing Window
Once the review period ends, the company generally has 14 days to deliver the confirmation statement to Companies House.
The company should aim to prepare the filing before the final day rather than treating the entire 14-day period as preparation time.
Worked Example of a Confirmation Statement Deadline
Suppose a company’s review period ends on 30 September 2026.
- Review period end date: 30 September 2026
- Filing window: 14 days after the review period ends
- General filing deadline: 14 October 2026
This example illustrates the calculation only. Companies should confirm their actual review period and due date on the official Companies House register, especially if they have filed early or their confirmation date has changed.
How to Check Your Confirmation Statement Due Date
The official Companies House company information service provides the most reliable way to check a company’s confirmation date and filing deadline.
Check the Companies House Register
Search for your company using its name or company number. Open the company record and review the filing history and confirmation statement information to identify the next due date.
You can use the Companies House company information service to locate the relevant record.
Set Up Filing Reminders
Companies House offers email reminders to help businesses identify when a confirmation statement is due. It is also sensible to add the deadline to an internal compliance calendar and assign responsibility to a director, company secretary or professional adviser.
A reminder system is particularly helpful for businesses with several filing obligations, multiple directors or limited administrative resources.
What Happens If You Miss the Confirmation Statement Deadline?
Failing to deliver a confirmation statement within the statutory period can constitute an offence under the Companies Act 2006. Companies House states that a company may face a fine of up to £5,000 and may be struck off the register if it does not file. The exact consequences depend on the circumstances and applicable enforcement process.
Financial and Legal Consequences
Late filing should be treated as a compliance issue rather than an ordinary administrative delay. Potential consequences include:
- Legal action or financial penalties under the applicable rules.
- Risk of the company being struck off the register.
- Disruption to banking, financing or commercial arrangements if company records are not current.
- Additional work and expense to correct outstanding filings or restore a company where necessary.
The previously quoted fixed penalty scale of £150, £375, £750 and £1,500 should not be presented as the standard Companies House confirmation statement penalty schedule without reliable official evidence.
What to Do If Your Deadline Has Passed
If the deadline has already passed, check the company’s filing status and submit the outstanding confirmation statement as soon as possible. Make sure that any information requiring a separate notification has also been updated.
If Companies House has issued a notice or started strike-off action, review the notice carefully and obtain appropriate professional advice about the steps required.
For more detail, read our guide on what happens if you forget to file your confirmation statement.
What Information Must You Check Before Filing?
A confirmation statement should not be submitted until the company has checked the relevant information and completed any separate notifications that are due.
Directors and Company Officers
Check the information recorded for directors and company secretaries, where applicable. Changes to directors and secretaries must generally be notified separately rather than relying on the confirmation statement alone.
People with Significant Control
Review the company’s people with significant control, commonly known as PSCs. Confirm that the required information is accurate and that relevant changes have been reported through the appropriate process.
Registered Office and Registered Email Address
Confirm that the registered office address and registered email address are accurate. Certain changes must be notified separately before filing the confirmation statement.
Shareholders, Share Capital and SIC Codes
Check the shareholder information and other details that can be updated through the confirmation statement, including applicable information about share capital and the company’s Standard Industrial Classification codes.
The precise details required depend on the company’s structure and filing circumstances. Review the current Companies House instructions before submitting the statement.
How Do You File a Confirmation Statement?
Companies can submit their confirmation statement through the relevant Companies House online filing service or by using the applicable paper process.
Prepare the Company Information
Review the official company record, confirm the details that need to be included and make sure any separate notifications have been completed. Directors must also meet the applicable Companies House identity-verification requirements.
Submit the Statement
Use the appropriate filing service and follow the instructions for the company’s circumstances. Some companies can use the simpler online confirmation statement service, while others need to use WebFiling or another permitted route.
Keep the submission confirmation and supporting records for future reference.
Check the Filing Fee
From 1 February 2026, the Companies House confirmation statement filing fee is £50 online and £110 by post. Check the current official fee guidance before submitting, as fees can change.
For an explanation of the current charge, read our guide to everything you need to know about the new £50 filing fee.
How Often Does a UK Company Need to File a Confirmation Statement?
A company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months, even when it has not changed its directors, shareholders or other information.
A company may file earlier than the end of its current review period. However, doing so can establish a new confirmation date and affect the next review period. Before making an early filing, check the consequences for the company’s future deadline.
For a more detailed explanation, see our guide on how often a UK company needs to file a confirmation statement.
What Changes Must Be Reported Separately?
A confirmation statement does not replace every other company filing obligation. Certain changes must be notified to Companies House through separate forms or processes.
Examples include changes to directors, company secretaries, registered office addresses and registered email addresses. The company should complete the applicable notifications before confirming that its information is accurate.
The statement also requires confirmation that the company’s intended future activities are lawful. Companies should review the current statutory requirements and relevant filing instructions before submission.
For related compliance information, read our guide on how to ensure your lawful purpose statement is correctly filed.
How to Avoid Confirmation Statement Filing Errors
A reliable filing routine helps companies avoid missed deadlines and inaccurate information.
Start Preparing Before the Deadline
Begin checking the company’s information several weeks before the review period ends. This provides time to resolve missing details and complete separate filings.
Keep Company Records Consistent
Compare the details held internally with the public Companies House record. Check names, addresses, shareholder information and SIC codes before submitting.
Use Official Filing Guidance
Refer to the latest Companies House guidance if you are unsure which information belongs in the confirmation statement and which changes require separate notifications.
Assign Clear Responsibility
Make sure a specific person is responsible for monitoring the deadline, preparing the statement and confirming successful submission. Small businesses should not assume that a reminder alone guarantees compliance.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
Professional support may be useful if your company has a complex ownership structure, outstanding filings, changes to its directors or PSCs, or uncertainty about the correct review period.
A professional service can help check the company’s records, identify the relevant filing requirements and manage the submission process. The company remains responsible for ensuring that its statutory obligations are met.
Form My Company provides support for businesses that want assistance with confirmation statement filing and company compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the confirmation statement deadline?
A company generally has 14 days after the end of its 12-month review period to file its confirmation statement. Check the company’s official Companies House record to confirm the exact deadline.
How do I calculate my confirmation statement deadline?
Check the company’s incorporation date for its first review period or the relevant previous confirmation date for subsequent statements. Establish the end of the review period and allow 14 days for filing. If the company has filed early, check the updated date on the official register.
Can I file a confirmation statement early?
Yes. Companies can file before the current review period ends, but an early filing can establish a new confirmation date and change the next review period. Check the implications before submitting.
Do I need to file if nothing has changed?
Yes. Every company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, even when its details remain unchanged.
How much does a confirmation statement cost?
From 1 February 2026, the Companies House fee is £50 for online filing and £110 for paper filing. Confirm the current fee on the official website before submitting.
What happens if I miss the filing deadline?
Failure to file can result in legal consequences, financial penalties and potential strike-off. Check the company’s filing status and submit the outstanding statement as soon as possible.
Where can I check my confirmation statement due date?
Search for your company on the Companies House company information service and review its confirmation statement details. You can also arrange email reminders to help manage upcoming deadlines.
Can a professional service file my confirmation statement?
Yes. A professional service can assist with checking information and submitting the statement. Form My Company offers a confirmation statement filing service for businesses that want support with this obligation.
Get Your Confirmation Statement Filed on Time
Meeting your confirmation statement deadline helps keep your company’s public record accurate and reduces the risk of avoidable compliance problems. Check your review period, verify your company details and submit the required statement within the statutory filing window.
If you want assistance with the process, explore the File a Confirmation Statement service from Form My Company to review your options and get support with your filing.
