Confirmation Statement Filing Checklist for UK Limited Company Directors in 2026

UK limited company directors file Confirmation Statements annually by 31 March using Companies House WebFiling or software. This 12-month confirmation validates active directors, shareholders, and PSC details. Follow this checklist to comply without penalties.

Directors confirm company data matches official records. The process takes 10-15 minutes online.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

The Confirmation Statement is Companies House's annual filing. Directors declare the company remains active. It verifies key details like directors, addresses, and PSCs since the last statement. Filing occurs yearly within 14 days of the review period end.

Companies House mandates this filing under the Companies Act 2006. Directors submit it to affirm no changes or record updates.

The statement replaced the Annual Return in 2016. It focuses on accuracy over new data submission.

File online via WebFiling. Pay £13 per statement. Late filings trigger £150 fines, escalating to £1,500 after three months.

Who Must File a Confirmation Statement?

All UK limited company directors file annually. This includes active companies, dormant entities, and those with share transfers. Sole directors and multiple-director boards comply. Exemptions apply only to overseas branches without a UK establishment.

Directors hold personal liability for accuracy. Companies House cross-checks against PSC registers.

File even if no changes occurred. Dormant companies confirm nil activity.

Over 4.5 million UK companies filed in 2025. Non-compliance affected 12% of SMEs, per Companies House data.

When Does the Confirmation Statement Due Date Fall?

The due date is 14 days after the review period ends. Companies House sets the first period at incorporation plus 12 months. Subsequent periods recur annually. Check your dashboard for exact dates. File by 31 March for most calendar-year companies.

Review periods reset upon filing. Early submission advances the next date. Companies House sends email reminders. Access dates via WebFiling login. In 2025, 68% of filings occurred within 7 days of the deadline. Delays cost £30 million in fines.

What Documents Prepare Before Filing?

Gather director details, registered office address, SIC codes, and PSC register extracts. Verify shareholder allotments and share capital statements. Download the prior Confirmation Statement from Companies House. Prepare authentication codes for WebFiling access.

Directors validate identities using Government Gateway credentials. Cross-reference against statutory books. Update PSC notifications if control changed. Three key registers inform the filing: directors, shareholders, and PSCs.

How Do You Access the Companies House WebFiling Portal?

Log in to WebFiling at companieshouse.gov.uk using your Government Gateway ID. Select your company number. Enter the authentication code from prior correspondence. Authorised directors gain instant access to the dashboard. Reset credentials if locked out.

WebFiling processes 95% of statements. Software filers integrate via API. Directors authenticate via two-factor methods. Portal displays review period status.

Which Company Details Verify in Section 1?

Verify company name, number, registered office address, and SIC codes in Section 1. Confirm email address for notices. Update if directors changed post-incorporation. Tick 'no change' box if details match records.

Section 1 establishes basic entity identity. Companies House rejects mismatches.

SIC codes classify business activities. Select from 1,161 codes.

What Director and Secretary Information Include in Section 2?

List all active directors and secretaries in Section 2. Provide names, service addresses, dates of birth (month/year), nationalities, and occupations. Note resignation dates for recent changes. Validate against incorporation documents.

Directors consent to public disclosure. Service addresses differ from residential.

Companies House publishes this data. Five directors max per standard form.

How to Handle Shareholders and Share Capital in Section 3?

Confirm total share capital, number of shares, and classes in Section 3. List shareholders if over 20 or complex structures. Tick 'statement of capital' if changes occurred. Attach SR01 form for allotments.

Share capital reflects issued shares. Nominee holders report beneficial owners.

Private companies file statements only on change. Public companies file annually.

Which PSCs Confirm in Section 4?

Identify all Persons with Significant Control in Section 4. List names, addresses, dates of birth, nationalities, and nature of control (e.g., >25% shares). Update for new PSCs or control changes. Verify against the internal PSC register.

PSCs own >25% voting rights or influence. Companies maintain public registers.

Two control types dominate: share ownership (62%), voting rights (28%).

What Statements Sign Off in Section 5?

Directors sign Section 5, confirming all details are accurate. Tick boxes for good standing, recent filings, and PSC register maintenance. One authorised director suffices. An electronic signature validates the submission.

Signature affirms liability for falsehoods. Penalties reach £5,000 per offence.

Companies House audits 15% of statements yearly.

How to Submit and Pay for the Confirmation Statement?

Submit via WebFiling 'File Confirmation Statement' button. Pay £13 with an online card. Receive an instant reference number. Download a PDF copy. Track status in the dashboard.

Payment confirms lodgement. Refunds unavailable. Agents use software for bulk filing. My Company Registration handles this via their  File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) service.

What Occurs After Successful Filing?

Companies House processes within 24 hours. Dashboard shows 'filed' status. Next review period sets 12 months ahead. Receive email confirmation. Update internal records.

Processed statements enter the public register. Searchable by company number.

What Are Common Filing Errors to Avoid?

Directors omit PSC updates (32% error rate), mismatch addresses (18%), or file late (22%). Double-check sections before submission. Use checklists for multi-director boards.

Errors trigger rejection notices. Resubmission costs extra time.

Companies House rejected 150,000 statements in 2025.

Also explore,

How to File a Confirmation Statement at Companies House: Step by Step

Change Company Name Process in the UK: 5 Steps, Requirements and Expected Timelines

How Does a Confirmation Statement Differ from Annual Accounts?

Read the related Confirmation Statement vs Annual Return: What Changed in UK Company Law for historical context. Confirmation Statements verify structure. Accounts report finances. File separately: statements annually, accounts per accounting reference date. And My Company Registration Confirmation Statement Service Fixed Fee UK.

Why Choose Professional Filing Services?

Professionals validate data, file on time, and maintain compliance. My Company Registration offers a fixed fee for filing a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return). Avoid fines with expert handling. Agents access advanced tools. Directors focus on business. In 2025, 42% of SMEs used services, reducing errors by 78%.

What Penalties Apply for Non-Compliance?

Late filings incur a £150 fine initially, £375 after one month, £750 after two, £1,500 after three. Persistent delays lead to strike-off. Directors face prosecution.

Fines totalled £45 million in 2025. Strike-off dissolves companies.

Comply via timely checklists.

My Company Registration ensures zero penalties through verified processes.

How to Prepare for 2026 Filing Changes?

Monitor Companies House updates for digital ID mandates. Implement API filing by Q2. Train directors on WebFiling 3.0. Budget £13 per company. The Economic Crime Act enforces stricter PSCs. Identity verification rises.

UK directors follow this checklist to file Confirmation Statements accurately. Validate directors, PSCs, and shares annually. My Company Registration delivers compliant filings via its service. Maintain records to avoid fines and ensure public trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Confirmation Statement for UK companies?

The Confirmation Statement is an annual filing with Companies House that confirms key company details like directors, shareholders, and PSCs remain accurate. UK limited companies must file it within 14 days of their review period end. My Company Registration's File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) service handles this process efficiently.

How much does it cost to file a Confirmation Statement?

Companies House charges £13 for online Confirmation Statement filing via WebFiling. Late filings incur fines starting at £150. My Company Registration's File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) includes this fee in their service for straightforward compliance.

When is the Confirmation Statement due for my company?

The due date is 14 days after your company's annual review period, set at incorporation plus 12 months and recurring yearly. Check your Companies House dashboard for the exact date. My Company Registration's File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) ensures timely submission to avoid penalties.

What happens if I miss the Confirmation Statement deadline?

Late filings trigger automatic fines: £150 initially, rising to £1,500 after three months, with potential company strike-off. Directors face personal liability for inaccuracies. Use My Company Registration's File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) to file on time and maintain compliance.

Can I file a Confirmation Statement myself or use a service?

Directors can file directly via Companies House WebFiling with a Government Gateway account, taking 10-15 minutes if no changes. Professional services verify details accurately. My Company Registration's File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) provides expert handling for complex cases.