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What the Confirmation Statement Covers
The CS01 confirmation statement confirms the accuracy of core register information as at a chosen review date. It covers: registered office address, principal business activity (SIC codes), statement of capital and share structure, shareholder details, and the People with Significant Control (PSC) register entries. It does not replace annual accounts and contains no profit-and-loss or balance-sheet information.
Directors are signing off that the public register is correct, not merely that the company is trading. Even a dormant company must file a confirmation statement each year.
When and How to File
The first confirmation statement is due within 14 days of the 12-month anniversary of your company's incorporation date. Subsequent statements must be filed at least once in every 12-month review period, again within 14 days of the period end. You can file earlier than the anniversary if there is information to update — this resets the clock.
Filing is free online via Companies House WebFiling or the authorised agent service. A paper CS01 attracts a £34 fee. Most companies choose the online route as it provides an immediate electronic receipt and reduces the risk of postal delays.
Updating Information at the Same Time
The confirmation statement is a convenient moment to tidy the register. You can update your SIC codes, amend shareholder information, and add or correct PSC entries as part of the same submission. Changes to directors or the registered office still require separate forms (AP01/CH01 and AD01 respectively) filed within their own deadlines — the CS01 does not capture those changes.
If nothing has changed since the last statement, you simply confirm that the existing information remains accurate and submit. The process takes only a few minutes online once you have your authentication code.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Failure to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Both the company and each director can be prosecuted and fined. Companies House may also initiate a compulsory strike-off, which dissolves the company and vests its assets in the Crown — a severe outcome for an oversight that takes minutes to remedy.
There is no civil penalty structure for the confirmation statement (unlike late accounts); the route straight to criminal liability makes it particularly important not to ignore reminder letters from Companies House.
Frequently asked questions
Is the confirmation statement the same as our annual return?
No. The annual return (AR01) was replaced by the confirmation statement in June 2016. The CS01 is simpler and free to file online, but covers broadly the same register information the old annual return captured.
Can our accountant file the confirmation statement on our behalf?
Yes, provided they hold a Companies House presenter code or are authorised by the company. The director remains legally responsible for the accuracy of the information submitted.
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