Confirmation Statement Changes for UK Companies
UK companies are required to maintain accurate records with Companies House throughout the year. One of the most important annual compliance requirements is the submission of a confirmation statement, which confirms that the company information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date.
Recent Confirmation Statement Changes introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act have updated how companies complete and file confirmation statements. Directors and business owners should understand these new requirements carefully to avoid penalties and potential compliance issues.
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What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is an annual filing submitted to Companies House that confirms the company details on the public register are correct and it sits alongside a broader set of company filing obligations that UK companies must meet throughout the year to remain compliant.
The filing helps Companies House maintain accurate corporate records and ensures transparency regarding ownership, shareholders, registered office details, and company activities.
Information Included in a Confirmation Statement
- Registered office address
- Shareholder details
- Statement of capital
- SIC codes and business activities
- People with Significant Control (PSC)
Companies that have recently changed their accounting year-end should also check whether this affects any of the details captured within the confirmation statement, particularly around accounting reference dates and the periods they cover. A change to the accounting year-end can have a direct knock-on effect on when filings fall due and how the company’s financial period is represented on the public register.
Confirmation Statement Changes Introduced by Companies House
The latest Confirmation Statement Changes were introduced following updates to Companies House guidance under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
These reforms sit within a wider programme of modernisation at Companies House that has also affected how accounts are filed digitally. The changes to online filing of accounts at Companies House have introduced new requirements around format and submission, and businesses updating their compliance processes should review both sets of changes together rather than in isolation.
These changes are intended to improve corporate transparency and strengthen the accuracy of company information held on the UK register.
New CS01 Forms Introduced
There are now two versions of the CS01 confirmation statement form depending on the confirmation date.
- Use the previous CS01 form for confirmation dates on or before 4 March 2024
- Use the updated CS01 form for confirmation dates on or after 5 March 2024
The updated version includes additional requirements introduced under the new legislation.
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Registered Email Address Requirement
Companies are now required to provide a registered email address when filing your company’s confirmation statement. This requirement applies to confirmation statements with a statement date on or after 5 March 2024.
The registered email address will be used by Companies House for official communication purposes.
When Must a Confirmation Statement Be Filed?
A confirmation statement must normally be filed at least once every 12 months.
The due date is usually:
- 12 months after company incorporation, or
- 12 months after the previous confirmation statement date
Businesses can file the statement up to 14 days after the confirmation date.
While the 14-day window provides some flexibility, waiting until the final days before a deadline introduces unnecessary risk. Filing ahead of schedule gives businesses time to identify and correct any inaccuracies before submission, and regulators have consistently encouraged early filing as the stronger compliance habit across all types of company reporting.
Confirmation Statement Explained: Do You Need to Update Information Every Year?
A common misunderstanding is that companies must re-enter all company information each year. However, the Confirmation statement explained guidance from Companies House makes clear that only changes need to be updated.
If no changes have occurred, directors simply confirm that the existing information is correct before submitting the statement.
Common Updates Made During Filing
- Changes to shareholders
- Updates to SIC codes
- Changes in share capital
- Updates to People with Significant Control
It is worth noting that many of these updates are not limited to the confirmation statement certain changes must be reported to Companies House as soon as they occur, well before the annual filing window opens. Understanding which company changes you must report immediately, and within what timeframe, is just as important as getting the confirmation statement itself right.
How to File Confirmation Statement Online
Most companies choose to file their confirmation statement online using the Companies House filing service and using Companies House webfiling effectively can also help simplify the broader process of keeping statutory and tax records aligned throughout the year.
Online filing is generally quicker, more cost-effective, and reduces the likelihood of administrative errors compared to paper submissions.
Businesses filing online should also be aware that the rules around how company accounts are prepared and submitted have changed alongside confirmation statement reforms. Recent changes to company accounts filing requirements mean that what must be included and how it is presented has shifted, and staying across both sets of updates is part of maintaining a fully compliant filing process.
Current Filing Fees
The current filing fees are:
- £34 for online filing
- £62 for paper filing
Companies should check the latest Companies House guidance regularly, as filing fees and compliance requirements may change.
Smaller companies should also be aware that the type of accounts they are required to file alongside their confirmation statement can vary depending on their size and eligibility. Companies that qualify may be able to submit abridged accounts rather than full statutory accounts, which affects the level of financial detail that appears on the public register and understanding that distinction is worth confirming before the next filing period
Why It Is Important to Check Confirmation Statement Details
Businesses should regularly Check confirmation statement information before submission to ensure all records are accurate.
Incorrect company records can lead to compliance concerns, delays in corporate transactions, and potential scrutiny from Companies House or HMRC.
Penalties for Failing to File a Confirmation Statement
Failing to submit a confirmation statement is a criminal offence under UK company law and with the increase in company late filing penalties in recent years, the financial and legal consequences of missing compliance deadlines have become significantly more serious for both companies and their directors.
Companies House can prosecute both the company and its officers for non-compliance. In serious cases, the company may also be struck off the register.
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Potential Consequences Include:
- Financial penalties
- Director compliance issues
- Company strike-off action
- Damage to business credibility
Directors facing compliance scrutiny should also ensure their Corporation Tax position is well managed alongside their Companies House obligations. Regulatory attention in one area often prompts wider review, and a clear understanding of Corporation Tax responsibilities helps demonstrate that the business is being run with proper oversight across the board.
It is also worth remembering that these consequences sit alongside separate HMRC obligations. Corporation Tax must be paid by its own deadline independently of any Companies House filing, and a business that is already under compliance scrutiny for a missed confirmation statement is in a much weaker position if its tax payments are also outstanding. Knowing how to pay Corporation Tax online and keeping that process on track is a straightforward but critical part of avoiding a wider compliance problem.
Conclusion
The latest Confirmation Statement Changes have introduced important updates for UK companies, particularly around CS01 forms and registered email address requirements.
Understanding how confirmation statements work, meeting filing deadlines, and keeping company information accurate are essential parts of maintaining good corporate compliance in the UK.
