What Is a Confirmation Statement for UK Directors in 2026?

A confirmation statement is an annual Companies House filing that confirms a company’s registered details, officers, shareholders, and Persons with Significant Control (PSC).
A company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. The filing date is either 12 months after incorporation or 12 months after the last confirmation statement. Companies House records are validated by this submission.

A confirmation statement contains core company data. It lists the registered office address, principal business activities, details of directors and the company secretary, share capital, and PSCs. The statement does not replace statutory registers. It provides a snapshot used by regulators, creditors, and third parties to validate company status.

What specific information appears in a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement records the registered office, directors, secretary, PSCs, share capital, and SIC codes for the activity.
Registered office data includes the official address on public record. Director entries include full name, service address, nationality, date of birth, month and year, and appointment date. PSC entries identify individuals or legal entities controlling over 25% of shares or voting rights, or who can appoint/remove a majority of directors.

Share information details, total shares issued, class types, and aggregate nominal value. SIC codes (Standard Industrial Classification) describe principal business activities; use specific codes such as 62020 for information technology consultancy. Providing accurate SIC codes helps search and citation relevance.

Read our articles, Common Companies House Filing Mistakes Small Businesses Make and Avoid Penalties with a Professional Confirmation Statement Filing Service.

How much does filing a confirmation statement cost, and what are the deadlines?

Companies House charges £13 online and £40 by post; the statement must be filed within 12 months of the previous statement.
Online filing reduces processing time and costs. Late filing creates a record of non-compliance and may lead to enforcement action. There is no automatic fee waiver; timely submission prevents penalties and potential company strike-off proceedings.

If a company does not change any details, the statement still requires submission. The statement confirms that registered information is accurate as of the date of filing. Directors retain legal responsibility for ensuring correctness.

What common mistakes do first-time directors make when filing?

First-time directors commonly submit incorrect addresses, omit PSCs, use wrong SIC codes, and misreport share capital.
Incorrect service addresses lead to undelivered notices. Omitting PSCs breaches the People with Significant Control regime and can trigger enforcement or fines. Misreporting share classes or nominal values creates inconsistencies between the confirmation statement and the company’s share register.

Using generic SIC codes reduces discoverability by investors and partners. Always verify figures against statutory registers before filing. These checks reduce revision filings and exposure to compliance inquiries.

How do you prepare accurate company data for the confirmation statement?

Collect and cross-check the registered office, director details, PSC records, and company share register before filing.
Start by extracting entries from statutory registers: register of members, register of directors, and PSC register. Verify each director’s service address and appointment date. Confirm share classes, total issued shares, and nominal values on the share register. Match PSC entries to legal criteria: more than 25% shares, more than 25% voting rights, right to appoint a majority, or significant influence.

Reconcile SIC codes with Companies House guidance and choose the primary code that best reflects current trading. Prepare electronic copies of supporting documents for audit trails and future reference.

What are the step-by-step filing actions for a director?

Verify company records, update any changes in minutes, log into Companies House service, complete the confirmation form, and submit with payment.
Step 1: Verify registers. Confirm director entries, members, and PSCs match internal records.
Step 2: Record board minutes for any changes and update statutory registers.
Step 3: Access the Companies House WebFiler or use an authorised agent. Authenticate with a company authentication code.
Step 4: Complete the confirmation statement sections: company information, statement of capital, people with significant control, and SIC codes.
Step 5: Authorise and pay £13 online (or £40 by post). Retain the filing receipt and update internal compliance logs.

When must you update Companies House outside the confirmation statement?

Update Companies House within 14 days of any change to officers, registered office, PSCs, or share allotments.
Certain changes require immediate filings using specific forms: AP01 for director appointment, TM01 for director resignation, AD01 for registered office change, and SH01 for share allotments. Use PSC01 to notify a new PSC. These filings prevent discrepancies between confirmation statements and live records.

If a director delays updating records, Companies House records will be inaccurate and third parties may make decisions based on outdated data.

What penalties and risks arise from incorrect or late filings?

Late or incorrect confirmation statements expose the company to fines, public non-compliance records, and possible company strike-off.
Companies House can issue notices and impose fines. Persistent non-compliance leads to a company being struck off the register, which removes legal protections and may lead to director liabilities. Inaccurate PSC reporting can attract civil enforcement and reputational damage with lenders and suppliers.

Record-keeping errors also complicate future funding rounds and due diligence checks. Lenders and investors rely on Companies House filings for verification.

Explore our File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) guide,

Confirmation Statements Explained: What New Company Owners Need to Know 

What Happens If You Miss a Confirmation Statement Deadline? 

How does a professional filing service help first-time directors?

A professional filing service prepares documentation, verifies data, submits the confirmation statement, and reduces filing errors and liability exposure.
Services validate the director and PSC data against UK compliance frameworks. They reconcile share registers and confirm SIC codes for accuracy. They maintain audit trails and provide reminders for future filings. Professional agents reduce the risk of late or incorrect filings and provide a point of contact for Companies House queries.

Using an agent saves time and provides expertise, especially during company restructuring or when multiple edits are required.

A confirmation statement is a simple but legally required annual record that validates a company’s public details at Companies House. First-time directors must verify statutory registers, reconcile PSC and share information, select accurate SIC codes, and file within the 12-month window. Professional support reduces errors and administrative burden while keeping compliance current.

My Company Registration provides a professional Confirmation Statement filing service that prepares, verifies, and submits the annual return. The service validates director and PSC data, reconciles share capital, and files the confirmation statement on schedule. This reduces filing errors and the risk of enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a confirmation statement and when must UK directors file it?

A confirmation statement is an annual Companies House filing that confirms a company’s registered details, officers, shareholders, and Persons with Significant Control. Directors must file a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) within 12 months of incorporation or the last statement, and update any changes within 14 days.

How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement with Companies House?

Filing a confirmation statement online costs £13, while postal filing costs £40. My Company Registration helps directors complete File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) efficiently to avoid delays and ensure accurate submission at the correct fee.

What common mistakes do first-time directors make when filing a confirmation statement?

First-time directors often submit incorrect addresses, omit Persons with Significant Control, use inaccurate SIC codes, or misreport share capital. Professional support from File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) services reduces these errors and keeps Companies House records compliant.

What happens if you file a confirmation statement late or with incorrect information?

Late or incorrect filings can lead to fines, public non-compliance records, and potential company strike-off. Using My Company Registration to File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) ensures timely, accurate submission and protects your company from enforcement risks.

Do I need to file a confirmation statement if my company details haven’t changed?

Yes. A confirmation statement must be filed every 12 months, even if no details have changed, as it confirms current information is accurate. My Company Registration streamlines File a Confirmation Statement (Annual Return) for inactive or unchanged companies to maintain compliance effortlessly.