How to File a Confirmation Statement in 2026: Step-by-Step

Every UK company—including a dormant or non-trading company—must normally file a confirmation statement with Companies House at least once every 12 months. The statement confirms that the registered information is current and that the company’s intended future activities are lawful.

For 2026, identity-verification requirements mean directors’ personal codes must also be dealt with before Companies House will accept the statement.

What is a confirmation statement?

The confirmation statement replaced the annual return. It is not a set of accounts and does not report profit or Corporation Tax. Instead, it confirms information held on the public register, including officers, registered details, share information and people with significant control.

A company must file even where nothing changed during the review period.

What to check before filing

Review the public register and update incorrect information. Companies House says the following changes must generally be filed before the confirmation statement:

• directors and company secretary;
• people with significant control (PSCs);
• registered office address; and
• registered email address;
• the required statement confirming that the company’s intended future activities are lawful.

The confirmation statement’s additional-information section can report certain changes to:

• Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes;
• statement of capital;
• trading status of shares;
• PSC-information exemptions; and
• shareholder information.

The lawful-purpose confirmation is mandatory even where no other company information changed. Filing a confirmation statement is not merely an address check.

Identity verification and personal codes

Companies House guidance updated in April 2026 says all directors must verify their identity before the next confirmation statement can be accepted. The filer must:

• provide each director’s Companies House personal code; and
• confirm that each director has verified their identity.

PSCs must also verify their identity and provide their personal code within the period that applies to them. A personal code belongs to the individual and should be kept secure; it is not the same as the company’s authentication code.

Confirmation statement deadline

The company must complete a review period at least once every 12 months. The period normally ends:

• 12 months after incorporation for the first statement; or
• 12 months after the confirmation date on the previous statement.

The filing deadline is 14 days after the end of the review period. Check the company’s confirmation date and deadline on the Companies House register rather than relying solely on a diary entry.

Can a company file early?

Yes. A company can file before the review period ends. Filing early creates a new confirmation date, and the next review period begins the following day. This can be useful when aligning group-company dates or recording a major ownership change, but it also changes the next deadline.

How to file online

1. Check the company record on Companies House.
2. Submit any changes that must be made separately.
3. Confirm that all directors completed identity verification.
4. Collect each director’s Companies House personal code.
5. Sign in to the Companies House filing service using the company authentication code.
6. Review and complete the confirmation statement.
7. Make the required lawful-purpose confirmation.
8. Pay the fee and retain the acceptance email.

How much does it cost?

Companies House guidance current in April 2026 lists:

• £50 for an online confirmation statement; and
• £110 for paper form CS01.

Fees can change, so verify the amount on GOV.UK before filing.

Review period versus payment period

The review period determines when company information must be confirmed. The payment period determines when the annual fee becomes due. They are separate.

The company pays the fee with the first confirmation statement filed in each 12-month payment period. Additional statements in the same payment period do not normally require another annual fee.

What happens if the statement is late?

Companies House may impose a financial penalty of up to £5,000, and the company may be struck off the register. Directors should not assume a dormant company is exempt.

Late filing can also affect banking, finance, tenders and supplier checks because overdue status appears on the public record.

Common mistakes

• confusing the confirmation statement with annual accounts;
• assuming no filing is required because nothing changed;
• trying to amend directors or the registered office only inside the statement;
• using a director’s personal code as the company authentication code;
• failing to verify every director before filing;
• forgetting to update SIC codes or shareholder information; and
• assuming an early filing leaves the next confirmation date unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

Does a dormant company file a confirmation statement?

Yes. Dormant and non-trading companies are included.

Is the confirmation statement a tax return?

No. It is a Companies House corporate-information filing, separate from statutory accounts and HMRC returns.

Can an accountant file it?

An authorised accountant or company-formation agent can file, but directors remain responsible for ensuring the information and confirmations are correct.

Related guides

See the annual accounts deadline and our guide to Articles of Association.

Official source

Check Companies House: Filing your company’s confirmation statement, last updated 21 April 2026.