How to File a Confirmation Statement (CS01) — Step by Step

Every UK limited company must file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months. It used to be called an annual return. Miss the deadline and Companies House can start proceedings to strike your company off the register.

This guide walks you through what a confirmation statement is, when yours is due, and exactly how to file it.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement (form CS01) tells Companies House that the information they hold about your company is up to date. It covers:

• Registered office address — where your company is officially based
• Directors and secretaries — who runs the company
• Share capital and shareholders — who owns the company and how many shares exist
• SIC codes — what your company does (its industry classification)
• People with significant control (PSCs) — anyone who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights

You're confirming that what Companies House has on record is correct. If anything has changed, you update it as part of the filing.

When is my confirmation statement due?

Your confirmation statement is due every 12 months from either:

• The date your company was incorporated, or
• The date you last filed a confirmation statement

You have 14 days after the review date to actually file it. So if your review date is 1 June, you must file by 15 June.

| Scenario | Review date | Filing deadline | |----------|-------------|-----------------| | New company incorporated 1 March 2025 | 1 March 2026 | 15 March 2026 | | Last filed on 10 September 2025 | 10 September 2026 | 24 September 2026 |

How much does it cost?

Filing online costs £34. There is no way to file for free. The fee is the same whether you file on time or late.

If you file on paper (form CS01), it costs £62 and takes longer to process. There is almost no reason to file on paper.

How to file your confirmation statement online

Here's the process, step by step:

1. Go to the Companies House WebFiling service and sign in with your Companies House authentication code
2. Select your company from your account
3. Click "File a confirmation statement" — Companies House will show you the information they currently hold
4. Review each section — registered office, directors, shareholders, SIC codes, PSCs. If anything is wrong, update it
5. Confirm everything is correct and submit
6. Pay the £34 fee by credit/debit card or PayPal

The whole process takes 10-15 minutes if your details haven't changed. If you need to update directors or shareholders, allow extra time.

What if I need to update my details?

If anything has changed since your last filing, you should file the individual changes before filing the confirmation statement. For example:

• Changed your registered address? File an AD01 first
• Appointed a new director? File an AP01 first
• Issued new shares? File an SH01 first

Then when you file the confirmation statement, it will reflect the current state of your company.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Companies House takes this seriously. If you don't file:

• Companies House will send warning letters to your registered office address
• They can start strike-off proceedings — this means removing your company from the register
• Your company name will appear in the Gazette as proposed for strike-off
• If struck off, you personally lose control of the company's assets, bank accounts, and contracts

There is no fine for late filing of a confirmation statement (unlike annual accounts). But strike-off is arguably worse — it effectively kills your company.

What's the difference between a confirmation statement and annual accounts?

These are two separate filings that every company must make:

| | Confirmation statement | Annual accounts | |---|---|---| | What it covers | Company details (address, directors, shareholders) | Financial performance (profit, loss, balance sheet) | | How often | Every 12 months | Every 12 months (9 months after financial year end) | | Cost | £34 online | Free to file | | Late penalty | No fine — but risk of strike-off | Automatic fines starting at £150 | | Who prepares it | Usually the director | Usually the accountant |

Both are mandatory. Missing either one puts your company at risk.

Do I need an accountant to file it?

No. A confirmation statement is straightforward and most directors file it themselves. You're not submitting financial information — you're just confirming that Companies House has the right details about your company.

If you have an accountant, they may file it for you as part of their service. But it's something any director can do in 15 minutes.

Key takeaways

• File your confirmation statement every 12 months via the Companies House WebFiling service
• It costs £34 online — there's no way around the fee
• Review your company details before filing and update anything that's changed
• Don't miss the deadline — Companies House can strike off your company
• It's simple enough to do yourself — no accountant needed