A confirmation statement (form CS01) is an annual filing that tells Companies House your company's registered details are correct and up to date. Every UK limited company and LLP must file at least one every 12 months, even if nothing has changed. It is due within 14 days of the end of your review period, the 12-month window that starts on either your incorporation date or the day after your last statement.
Miss it and your company can be struck off the register, so it is worth getting the dates right.
What the confirmation statement actually confirms
The CS01 is not a financial document and has nothing to do with your accounts or Corporation Tax. It simply confirms the public record held at Companies House, including:
- Registered office address
- Directors and company secretary (if any)
- People with significant control (PSCs)
- Registered email address (now mandatory)
- Statement of capital and shareholder details
- SIC codes describing what your company does
You review each item and confirm it is accurate. If something has changed during the year, say a director resigned or you moved office, you usually update those details separately first, then confirm the record on the CS01.
Confirmation statement vs annual return
If you have been running a company for a while, you may remember the annual return (AR01). The confirmation statement replaced it in June 2016. The big difference: the old annual return forced you to re-enter all your details every year, whereas the confirmation statement only asks you to confirm the record is correct, and flag anything that has changed. Less typing, same legal duty.
When is your confirmation statement due?
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Your review period runs for 12 months:
- It starts on your incorporation date (for your first statement), or
- The day after the date of your previous confirmation statement.
You then have 14 days from the end of that review period to file. So if your company was incorporated on 1 July 2025, your first review period ends 30 June 2026 and your statement is due by 14 July 2026.
How to find your due date
Search your company on the Companies House register and look at the "Confirmation statement" section, it shows your next statement date and the deadline. You can file early, which resets the clock and starts a fresh 12-month period from the new date.
How much does a confirmation statement cost?
The Companies House filing fee is:
- £50 if you file online (the cheaper, faster option)
- £110 if you file the paper CS01 by post
These fees rose on 1 February 2026. The £50 online fee covers a whole 12-month payment period, you can file as many confirmation statements as you like within that period (for example, after multiple share transfers) without paying again until the next anniversary.
If you use an accountant or formation agent, you will typically pay their admin charge on top of the Companies House fee. Our company secretarial service handles the whole filing for you and tracks the deadline so it never slips.
How to file a CS01 online
- Log in to the Companies House service with your company number and authentication code.
- Review each section, registered office, directors, PSCs, SIC codes, registered email and statement of capital.
- Update anything out of date. Some changes (like a new PSC or share allotment) can be reported on the statement itself; others must be filed first.
- Confirm the information is correct and pay the £50 fee.
- Receive confirmation, the updated record usually appears on the public register within 24 hours.
You will need your authentication code (a 6-character security code posted to your registered office). If you have lost it, request a new one before your deadline, as it can take a few days to arrive.
What you cannot change on a CS01
The confirmation statement is not the place to change your accounting reference date, registered office, officers or registered email as standalone updates, those have their own forms or online filings. Make those changes first, then confirm the corrected record on the CS01.
What happens if you don't file a confirmation statement?
This is where directors get caught out. Failing to file is a criminal offence for the company and its officers. Companies House can:
- Treat your company as no longer carrying on business
- Begin strike-off proceedings, dissolving the company
- Hold directors personally accountable for the failure
Unlike late accounts, there is no automatic late-filing penalty for a confirmation statement, but strike-off is far worse, and the court can fine the company and its officers up to £5,000 for the offence. A dissolved company's assets, including any cash in the bank, pass to the Crown (bona vacantia). Keeping the filing current is non-negotiable.
Does a dormant company need to file one?
Yes. Dormant and non-trading companies still file a confirmation statement every year. Being dormant exempts you from some accounting obligations, but not from confirming your details to the public register. The same £50 fee and 14-day deadline apply.
Quick recap
- The CS01 confirms your company's public details are correct, it is not your accounts.
- Due within 14 days of the end of your 12-month review period.
- Costs £50 online or £110 by post, covering a full payment period.
- File it even if nothing changed, and even if dormant.
- Miss it and you risk strike-off, not just a fine.
Still unsure about your dates, your PSC register or whether a mid-year change needs a separate filing? Our FAQ covers the common company admin questions, and a Zmartly accountant can take the whole job off your plate.
Let Zmartly handle it
Deadlines like the confirmation statement are easy to forget and expensive to ignore. Talk to a Zmartly accountant and we will track your filing dates, keep your Companies House record clean, and submit your CS01 on time, every year, so you can focus on running the business.
