Confirmation Statements: What They Are, When They're Due, and Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Them

If you run a UK limited company, there's one filing that comes around every year without fail — and it's one that catches more directors out than you might expect. It's called a Confirmation Statement, and failing to file it on time can have serious consequences for you and your company.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A Confirmation Statement is a filing you make with Companies House to confirm that the information they hold about your company is accurate and up to date. Think of it as an annual check-in — Companies House wants to know that the details on the public register still reflect the reality of how your company is set up.

It replaced the old Annual Return back in June 2016, and while the name changed, the obligation didn't. Every limited company and LLP registered in the UK is required to file one, regardless of whether the company is actively trading or not.

What Information Does It Cover?

The Confirmation Statement asks you to review and confirm key details about your company, including:

• Your registered office address
• The names and details of all directors and secretaries
• Details of shareholders and share capital
• People with significant control over the company (known as PSCs)
• Your company's SIC code — the classification that describes what your business does

If anything has changed since your last filing, you'll need to update the relevant records at Companies House before submitting your Confirmation Statement. If nothing has changed, you're simply confirming that everything already on file is still correct.

When Is It Due?

Your Confirmation Statement must be filed at least once every 12 months, based on the anniversary of either your company's incorporation date or the date your last Confirmation Statement was made up to. While Companies House may send an email reminder as a courtesy, you should not rely on receiving one — it is entirely your responsibility to keep track of the deadline.

What Happens If You Don't File?

This is where things get serious. If you fail to file your Confirmation Statement on time, Companies House can take steps to strike your company off the register. That means your company ceases to exist as a legal entity — and any assets it holds, including money in the bank, can be passed to the Crown.

On top of that, directors of a company that has been struck off can face personal consequences, including difficulty setting up new companies in the future. It's a steep price to pay for missing what is, in reality, a very straightforward filing.

Why Do So Many Companies Get Caught Out?

The most common reason is simply forgetting. Unlike your annual accounts or Corporation Tax return, there's no penalty notice or fine that arrives before the real consequences kick in. Companies House moves quietly — and by the time you receive a notice that your company is being proposed for striking off, you're already on the back foot.

It's especially common among dormant companies or businesses where the director has moved on to other ventures and isn't actively monitoring their filing obligations.

How We Can Help

At Companies999, we take care of Confirmation Statements as part of our accountancy and compliance services. We track your filing deadlines, ensure all your company information at Companies House is accurate and up to date, and submit your Confirmation Statement on your behalf — so you never have to worry about missing a deadline or facing an unexpected strike-off notice.

Whether you have a single company or a portfolio of businesses, we'll make sure every one of them stays fully compliant.

Get in touch with us today and let us handle the paperwork while you focus on what matters.