What is a confirmation statement (UK)?

Who is this for?

This page is for UK company directors and owners who want to stay compliant with Companies House - especially if you’ve had changes during the year (address, directors, PSCs, shares) or you’re worried about missing deadlines.

• New companies approaching their first annual confirmation statement
• Companies that have made changes to directors/PSCs or shares
• Busy founders who want a done-for-you compliance service

What the confirmation statement does

Think of it as an “annual check-in” with Companies House. It confirms that your company’s key details are still accurate. If something has changed since the last filing, the confirmation statement is typically where you confirm the updated position (or ensure the underlying changes are filed first).

Who needs to file it

UK limited companies generally need to file confirmation statements. Even if the company is dormant, the filing obligation may still apply. The key is to avoid assuming “nothing changed” means “nothing to do.”

What information is confirmed or updated

The confirmation statement ties together core company record items such as your registered office address, directors, PSC information, and share details. The exact details depend on the company and what has changed.

If you’ve made changes (for example, director appointments, share transfers, or address updates), it’s important to ensure they are filed correctly and consistently. See director & company changes and shares management.

Step-by-step: how filing usually works

1. Check what changed: address, directors, PSCs, or shares since the last confirmation date.
2. Fix underlying filings first (if needed): submit director/share/address changes so the record is accurate.
3. Prepare the confirmation statement: confirm/update the key details.
4. Submit and keep a record: store the filing confirmation and keep a simple change log for next year.

Real example (typical change year)

Scenario: A company changed its registered office and appointed a new director.

• Step 1: file the address change and director appointment promptly
• Step 2: file the confirmation statement to confirm the updated position
• Outcome: cleaner public record and fewer issues with banks/counterparties

Deadlines and why they matter

Confirmation statements have a filing window tied to the company’s confirmation date. Missing the deadline isn’t just an administrative nuisance - it can create a compliance trail that becomes harder to fix the longer it’s left.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

Missing deadlines can lead to escalating compliance issues and may increase the risk of your company being struck off the register. If you’ve missed a deadline or you’re close to one, the best move is to act fast and file correctly rather than “guess” a submission.

If you want a quick solution, send us a message and we’ll advise the fastest compliant fix.

How Companies Plus helps

We provide end-to-end compliance support: we confirm what’s needed, prepare the filing, and submit it on time. If your company has complex changes (directors, PSCs, shares, overseas aspects), we make sure the record is consistent - so you don’t end up with avoidable problems later.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming “nothing changed” means “no filing”: many companies still need to file the confirmation statement.
• Leaving changes unfiled: address/director/share changes should be reported properly and on time.
• Guessing under time pressure: it’s better to fix the record cleanly than submit incorrect information.
• No reminders or system: a simple calendar + support prevents repeated late filings.