Every UK limited company has to file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. It is a short filing, but it is easy to get wrong if you rush through the WebFiling screens without checking what is actually on the public record. This guide walks through how to file confirmation statement paperwork correctly, what to review before you submit, and what happens once Companies House accepts it.
When a confirmation statement is due
Your confirmation statement is due within 14 days after the end of each review period. The first review period runs for 12 months from the date your company was incorporated, and each subsequent period runs for 12 months from the end of the last one. Companies House will send a reminder by post or email close to the deadline, but the legal responsibility to file on time sits with the directors regardless of whether a reminder arrives.
Missing the 14-day window does not stop the clock on future periods, but it does put the company in default. If you are unsure of your exact date, you can check it on the Companies House register using your company number.
What to check before you file
The confirmation statement itself does not create new information. It is a formal confirmation that the details Companies House already holds are correct as at the date of the statement. Before you file, review each of the following:
- Registered office address - confirm it is still current and meets the "appropriate address" rule, meaning a physical UK address where documents can be delivered and acknowledged. A PO Box on its own is not acceptable.
- Directors - check that everyone currently listed is still in post, and that anyone who has left has already been formally removed via a separate filing.
- People with significant control (PSCs) - make sure the PSC register reflects who actually owns or controls 25% or more of the shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises significant influence.
- SIC codes - confirm the standard industrial classification codes still describe what the company does. Up to four can be listed.
- Statement of capital and shareholders - check share numbers, classes and shareholder names match your internal register, especially if shares have been transferred or issued during the period.
Note that identity verification is now mandatory for directors and PSCs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. From 18 November 2025, new directors must verify their identity before incorporation, and existing directors and PSCs have a 12-month transition period to complete verification. This runs alongside, rather than as part of, the confirmation statement filing, but it is worth checking your company's status while you have the register open.
Filing on WebFiling step by step
1. Log in to WebFiling using your Companies House account and authentication code.
2. Select your company and choose to file the confirmation statement when the "next statement date" shows it is due.
3. Review each section - registered office, officers, PSCs, SIC codes and statement of capital - and update anything that has changed using the correct separate filing where required (some changes, such as a change of registered office, need their own form rather than being edited inside the confirmation statement).
4. Confirm the shareholder information is accurate for the period.
5. Pay the fee. The confirmation statement costs £50 for digital filing, and that £50 covers every confirmation statement you file within that 12-month payment period, not just the one you are submitting now. Paper filing costs £110 and is rarely worth it for the extra cost and processing time.
6. Submit. You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email once Companies House has processed the filing.
What happens after filing
Once accepted, the confirmation statement is added to the public register and a new 12-month review period begins immediately. There is nothing further to do until the next one falls due, aside from keeping your registers up to date in the meantime so the next statement is a simple confirmation rather than a scramble to catch up on changes.
If your company has not filed in the current period, do this filing as soon as possible. A confirmation statement is one of the few filings where being on time genuinely does prevent bigger problems later, including the risk of the company being struck off.
For a full definition of what a confirmation statement is and who has to file one, see our guide on what is a confirmation statement. If you would rather not manage WebFiling logins and deadlines yourself, our Registered Office + Company Secretarial Support service at £70 a month includes preparing and filing your confirmation statement as standard.
Common questions
Do I need an accountant to file a confirmation statement?
No. It can be filed directly on WebFiling by a director, or by a company secretarial provider acting on the company's behalf. It does not involve financial figures, so it sits outside the scope of annual accounts.
What if nothing has changed since the last statement?
You still have to file. Even with no changes, you must confirm the existing information is correct. It cannot be skipped just because nothing is different.
Can I file more than once in a 12-month period?
Yes, and the £50 fee covers all statements filed within that 12-month payment period, so filing again after a mid-year change does not cost extra.
What happens if I file the wrong information by mistake?
You can correct the record with a further filing. It is worth reviewing carefully before submission to avoid this, particularly around PSC and shareholder details.
Ready to hand this off?
If you would rather a named UK qualified lawyer handled your confirmation statement filings and kept your registers current, get in touch and our specialist will reply within one UK working day.
This article is general information about UK filing requirements, not legal or tax advice. Requirements change - we will confirm what applies to your company before anything is filed.
