A Confirmation Statement is an annual filing UK companies submit to Companies House confirming key details like directors, shareholders, and registered office remain accurate. Companies House mandates it under the Companies Act 2006 to ensure public records stay current, with non-compliance triggering fines up to £5,000.
This filing occurs annually within 14 days of the review period end. Companies validate their statutory information through this process.
What Exactly Is a Confirmation Statement?
A Confirmation Statement is a statutory document UK companies file yearly with Companies House. It confirms registered details match reality, including directors, people with significant control (PSCs), shares, and address.
Companies House introduced this in 2016. It replaced the annual return. All 4.2 million UK companies must file it.
The statement covers eight key sections. Directors list names, service addresses, and appointment dates. PSCs declare ownership stakes over 25%. Share capital details allotments since the last filing.
Filing happens online via Companies House WebFiling or software. The fee stands at £13 for online submissions. Paper filings cost £40.
Companies receive a confirmation email post-submission. Companies House updates the public register within 24 hours. This process verifies compliance continuously.
Why Does UK Law Require Confirmation Statements?
UK law requires Confirmation Statements under Section 853A of the Companies Act 2006. This ensures Companies House maintains accurate public records on company structures, ownership, and addresses for transparency and economic integrity.
Parliament enacted this in 2016 reforms. The goal prevents fraud through outdated data. Accurate records protect creditors, investors, and the public.
Non-filing blocks other submissions. Companies House suspends strikes-off processes. Directors face personal liability for inaccuracies.
Fines escalate with delays. Late filings incur £150 initial penalties. Persistent delays reach £1,500 maximum.
68% of UK SMEs file on time, per 2024 Companies House data. The rest trigger enforcement actions. Law mandates filings within 14 days of the anniversary date.
What Information Goes Into a Confirmation Statement?
A Confirmation Statement includes eight sections: company name, registered office, directors, secretaries, PSCs, share capital, shareholders, and statement of capital. Submit unchanged data or updates via Companies House portal.
Start with basic details. Verify the company name matches the register. Confirm the registered office address accepts official mail.
List directors fully. Include full names, dates of birth (month/year only), nationalities, occupations, and correspondence addresses. Note resignations or appointments.
Declare PSCs accurately. Identify individuals or entities controlling over 25% of shares or votes. Provide nature of control: ownership, voting rights, or significant influence.
Detail share capital. Report total issued shares, classes, and nominal values. Attach a statement of capital for changes.
Companies House cross-checks data against prior filings. Submit evidence for major updates, like new director ID verification.
How Often Must Companies File Confirmation Statements?
Companies file Confirmation Statements annually within 14 days of their review period end date. Companies House sets the first period at incorporation; subsequent ones align yearly from that date.
New companies file first within 14 days of the incorporation anniversary. For example, a company incorporated on 15 June files by 29 June each year.
Dormant companies follow the same schedule. No exemptions exist for inactivity.
Changes trigger early filings in some cases. Major updates, like address shifts, require immediate confirmation alongside routine annual ones.
Companies House sends email reminders 14 days before due dates. Track via the online account dashboard.
Over 90% of filings occur online, reducing processing time to hours. Paper filings delay updates by weeks.
What Happens If You Miss a Confirmation Statement Deadline?
Missing a deadline incurs automatic late filing penalties from Companies House: £150 for up to one month late, £375 up to three months, £750 up to six months, and £1,500 beyond. Persistent failure leads to compulsory strike-off.
Companies House issues penalties instantly. Pay within 28 days to avoid escalation.
Strike-off begins after three months overdue. Public notices appear in The Gazette. Directors receive warning letters.
Struck-off companies dissolve. Assets vest in the Crown. Directors lose limited liability protection.
Restoration costs £100–£370 via court or administrative order. Reinstate via file a confirmation statement services to resolve swiftly.
In 2023, Companies House struck off 120,000 entities for non-filing. Restoration succeeds in 40% of applications.
How Do You Prepare and File a Confirmation Statement?
Prepare by logging into Companies House, reviewing eight sections for accuracy, making updates, and paying £13 online. File via WebFiling portal; receive instant confirmation number.
Gather documents first. Collect director IDs, PSC proofs, and share certificates.
Access the DS01 form digitally. Answer yes/no on changes per section. Upload supporting files for PSCs or capital shifts.
Three validation steps confirm data: cross-reference prior filings, verify addresses via postcode checker, and authenticate director details.
Pay electronically. Submit during business hours for same-day processing.
Protect against errors by double-checking PSCs. Common pitfalls include outdated addresses; see the 5 Common Mistakes When Filing Your UK Confirmation Statement Solo guide.
Post-filing, download the PDF certificate. Retain for 10 years per record-keeping rules.
Why Do Confirmation Statements Matter for Business Compliance?
Confirmation Statements ensure compliance by validating public records, preventing fraud, and upholding transparency under UK company law. Inaccurate data risks fines, director disqualification, and dissolution.
Creditors rely on current ownership details. Investors check PSC registers before funding.
Regulators monitor patterns. HMRC cross-references for tax compliance. Fraud Prevention teams flag suspicious changes.
Directors validate personal details annually. This authenticates roles under the Economic Crime Act 2022.
UK GDP benefits from trusted registers. 2024 data shows compliant firms access 20% more finance.
File accurately to maintain good standing. Use expert services for complex structures; explore File Your Annual Confirmation Statement Now to Avoid £5,000 Fines for urgent needs.
What Changes Require an Early Confirmation Statement Filing?
File early if changes occur to registered office, directors, PSCs, or share capital outside the annual period. Companies House processes updates within 24 hours of submission.
Address changes demand immediate filing. Notify within 14 days to comply.
Director appointments or resignations trigger filings. Submit Form AP01 for additions, TM01 for removals, bundled with confirmation.
PSC notifications follow Section 790D. Register trusts or overseas entities controlling stakes.
Share allotments require CS01 forms. Report transfers via SH01.
Avoid penalties by filing promptly. Companies House rejects incomplete submissions.
From My Company streamlines this process. Their platform verifies data against official frameworks.
Confirmation Statements form the backbone of UK corporate compliance. Companies House enforces them rigorously to protect the register’s integrity. Accurate filings prevent disruptions and fines. Businesses thrive with validated records. From My Company provides reliable file a confirmation statement solutions for seamless adherence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a confirmation statement UK?
A confirmation statement is an annual filing required by Companies House for UK companies to confirm key details like directors, shareholders, and registered office are up to date. It ensures public records remain accurate under the Companies Act 2006. From My Company handles filing a confirmation statement efficiently via their service.
How often do I need to file a confirmation statement?
UK companies must file a confirmation statement once a year within 14 days of their review period end date, set at incorporation. Late filings incur penalties starting at £150. Use From My Company’s file a confirmation statement service to meet deadlines without hassle.
What happens if I miss my confirmation statement deadline?
Missing the deadline triggers automatic fines from Companies House: £150 up to one month late, rising to £1,500 for prolonged delays, plus potential strike-off. Directors face personal liability. From My Company streamlines filing a confirmation statement to avoid these risks.
How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?
Online filing costs £13 through Companies House WebFiling; paper submissions cost £40. Additional changes may require supporting forms at no extra fee. From My Company’s file a confirmation statement service covers the process for straightforward compliance.
Can I file a confirmation statement myself?
Yes, companies file directly via Companies House online portal by reviewing eight sections and paying £13. Complex changes like PSC updates need verification. From My Company offers a file a confirmation statement service for accurate, error-free submissions.
