What is a confirmation statement and when do I need to file it?
Direct Answer
A confirmation statement is a yearly filing to Companies House confirming your company's key details are correct — directors, shareholders, registered address, and SIC code. It is not the same as annual accounts. The deadline is within 14 days of your review period end date. The fee is £34 online. Missing it can lead to your company being struck off the register.
What information does it confirm?
Registered office address — the official address of your company on the Companies House register
Directors names and details — full name, date of birth, service address, and nationality
Shareholders and share structure — who holds shares and of what type, including any changes during the review period
SIC code (business activity) — the Standard Industrial Classification code describing what your company does
PSC register (Persons with Significant Control) — anyone holding 25%+ of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercising significant influence over the company
What actually changes between annual filings?
For most sole director limited companies, the confirmation statement is largely the same every year. Companies House pre-populates the form with existing information — you confirm it is still correct or update what has changed.
| Information | Changes often? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office address | Rarely | Update if you move your registered address |
| Director details | Rarely | Update if name, address, or DOB changes |
| SIC code | Rarely | Update if your business activities have changed significantly |
| Shareholder information | Sometimes | Update if shares have been transferred or new shares issued |
| PSC register | Sometimes | Update if control of the company has changed |
| Statement of capital | Rarely | Update if new shares have been issued |
Most contractors confirm — they don't change
If you are a sole director with one class of shares, no changes since last year, and the same registered office — the confirmation statement takes approximately 10 minutes. You log in, review the pre-populated information, confirm it is correct, pay £34, and you are done.
How to file — step by step
Log in to Companies House WebFiling
Go to companies.house.gov.uk and sign in with your company's authentication code. If you have lost it, request a new one by post from Companies House — allow 5 days.
Review pre-populated information
Companies House shows you everything they currently hold for your company. Work through each section and confirm that every detail is accurate and up to date.
Update any changes
If a director has changed, your address has moved, your SIC code is no longer accurate, or your shareholding has changed — update it as part of the filing before confirming.
Pay £34 online
The online fee is £34, payable by card. Filing by paper post costs £62. The fee is a fully allowable business expense and can be paid directly from your company account.
Receive instant confirmation
You receive an email acknowledgement immediately on submission. The Companies House register is updated within a few hours. Keep the confirmation email as your record of filing.
Key dates and deadlines
Important
Companies House sends reminder emails — but do not rely on them. Set your own calendar reminder for 14 days before your review period end date, which is the anniversary of your company's incorporation date.
Due within 14 days of your confirmation statement date — the anniversary of your company's incorporation
First confirmation statement: due within 14 days of the first anniversary of incorporation
The filing covers the 12-month review period ending on the statement date
You can file early — as soon as the review period ends, you do not need to wait
Confirmation statement vs annual accounts
| Confirmation Statement | Annual Accounts | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Company structure and details | Financial performance |
| Filed with | Companies House only | Companies House + HMRC |
| Deadline | 14 days after review period end | 9 months after accounting year end |
| Cost | £34 online | No filing fee |
| Prepared by | You or your accountant | Accountant recommended |
What if you miss the confirmation statement deadline?
| Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 after deadline | Company is in default — filing is overdue |
| Within a few weeks | Companies House sends a compliance reminder |
| 2 months overdue | Companies House may begin strike-off process |
| Strike-off gazette notice | You have 2 months to restore and file before company is struck off |
| Company struck off | Company ceases to exist — assets vest in the Crown |
There is no financial penalty for a late confirmation statement — unlike late accounts or tax returns
The risk is strike-off — Companies House will begin the process of dissolving your company if it believes it is no longer active
Strike-off can be reversed — if you file and pay promptly after receiving a strike-off notice, Companies House will halt the process
A struck-off company is serious — bank accounts are frozen, contracts become invalid, and any assets transfer to the Crown. Restoration is possible but costs £468+ and involves a court application
The practical risk
Most contractors who miss their confirmation statement do so by accident — they changed email address and missed the Companies House reminder, or simply forgot. Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before your confirmation statement due date. Your accountant at Autobooks tracks this for you as standard.
What is a SIC code and do I need to update it?
A SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code is a five-digit number that describes your company's primary business activity. You only need to update it if your primary business activity has genuinely changed — not every year as a matter of routine.
Common SIC codes for contractors:
| SIC Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 62012 | IT business analysis |
| 62020 | IT consultancy activities |
| 70229 | Management consultancy activities |
| 69201 | Accounting and auditing activities |
| 71121 | Engineering design consultancy |
If you are uncertain of your SIC code, your accountant can advise.
The PSC register — persons with significant control
Every limited company must maintain a register of Persons with Significant Control (PSC). A PSC is any individual who: owns more than 25% of shares, controls more than 25% of voting rights, has the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors, or has the right to exercise significant influence or control over the company.
For most sole director contractors, you are the only PSC — you own 100% of the shares. Your PSC information must be kept up to date at Companies House. The confirmation statement is the mechanism for doing this.
If you are the sole director and 100% shareholder — you are the PSC, nothing to change year to year unless your address has changed
If you have issued shares to a spouse or other person — check whether they now meet the PSC threshold (25%+) and ensure they are registered
If your personal address has changed — update your PSC information at the same time as your director address
Failure to maintain accurate PSC information is a criminal offence — Companies House can strike off companies with persistently out-of-date records
Can I file it myself?
Yes — Companies House WebFiling is straightforward for a simple one-director company with no changes to report
Your accountant can file on your behalf as part of your service — check your engagement letter to confirm it is included
Autobooks includes confirmation statement filing as standard — we track the deadline and handle the filing for you
More questions about confirmation statements? See the full Confirmation Statement Q&A →
Want us to handle it for you? Confirmation Statement Filing Service — from £59 →
Confirmation statement filing is included as standard with Autobooks.
Never miss a Companies House deadline again — full-service contractor accountancy from £89+VAT/month.