Filing a confirmation statement is one of the most important annual jobs for any UK limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP). Yet many directors still treat it as an afterthought, and that can lead to penalties, strike-off action, or even criminal liability under the new identity verification rules introduced by Companies House in late 2025.

This guide explains exactly what a confirmation statement is in 2026, who must file one, when it is due, what it now costs, and how the latest Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) changes affect the way you file.

What Is a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement (formally known as Form CS01) is a yearly filing submitted to Companies House. It confirms that the information held about your company on the public register is accurate and up to date.

It replaced the older Annual Return (Form AR01) back in June 2016 and remains a legal requirement for every active UK company and LLP, even if nothing has changed during the year.

In simple terms, the confirmation statement is the company’s annual “all correct” tick to Companies House. It does not include accounts or tax figures. Instead, it confirms your company’s structural and ownership details.

Who Needs to File a Confirmation Statement?

Every company or partnership registered at Companies House must file a confirmation statement once a year. This includes:

• Private limited companies (Ltd)
• Public limited companies (PLC)
• Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• Dormant or non-trading companies still on the register
• Community interest companies (CICs)

Sole traders and ordinary (non-LLP) partnerships do not need to file one because they are not registered with Companies House.

If your company is dormant, you still must submit a confirmation statement. Being inactive does not exempt you from this duty.

What Information Goes Into a Confirmation Statement?

Filing the confirmation statement involves checking and confirming the following details held by Companies House:

• Registered office address
• Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) address, if applicable
• Names and details of all directors and the company secretary
• People with Significant Control (PSC) information
• Statement of capital and shareholder details
• Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes describing your business activities
• Registered email address (mandatory since March 2024)
• Lawful purpose statement (mandatory since March 2024)

Some changes can be made directly within the confirmation statement, such as updating SIC codes or share information. However, certain changes, including new director appointments, resignations, or PSC updates, must be filed separately on their own forms before or at the same time as the confirmation statement.

When Is the Confirmation Statement Due?

Every company has a 12-month review period that begins either on:

• the date of incorporation, or
• the day after the last confirmation statement was filed.

You then have 14 days after the end of that review period to submit the new statement. You can file earlier if you wish, and doing so resets the next review period from the filing date.

To check your exact due date, log into your Companies House account or look up your company on the public register.

How Much Does a Confirmation Statement Cost in 2026?

Companies House updated its filing fees on 1 February 2026. The new charges are:

• £50 for online filing through the Companies House service (previously £34)
• £110 for paper filing using Form CS01 by post (previously £62)

You only pay this fee once per 12-month payment period. If you file additional confirmation statements within the same payment period, no extra fee applies.

Online filing is faster, cheaper, and processed almost instantly, which is why most companies and accountants now use it as standard.

How to File a Confirmation Statement

You can file your confirmation statement in two main ways.

• Online via Companies House WebFiling or the Find and Update Company Information service. You will need your company authentication code and a registered Companies House account. This is the recommended method for speed and lower cost.
• By post using Form CS01. Suitable if online filing is not possible, although it costs more and takes longer.

Before you file, review your company details carefully. Make sure all directors, the registered office, share capital, and PSC information are correct. Filing inaccurate information can create legal complications and may need to be corrected with further filings.

Identity Verification: The Big Change

The most significant update to confirmation statements comes from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). From 18 November 2025, identity verification at Companies House became a legal requirement for every UK company director and Person with Significant Control.

Here is what this means in practice during 2026:

For existing directors and PSCs, you must verify your identity by your company’s next confirmation statement date. The full transition window closes on 17 November 2026, after which enforcement becomes strict.

For new directors and PSCs appointed on or after 18 November 2025, identity verification must be completed before the appointment can take effect.

Once verified, you receive an 11-character personal code from Companies House. This code is personal to you, not to the company, and you only need to verify your identity once even if you act as a director of multiple companies.

The personal code must be quoted on every confirmation statement going forward. If even one director on the register has not verified, the company cannot file its confirmation statement, which could lead to strike-off.

How to Verify Your Identity

There are two routes:

1. Free verification through GOV.UK One Login, using a passport, photo driving licence, or biometric residence permit. The process usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes.
2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as a regulated accountant or solicitor. This is a paid service but useful for those who lack the right ID or prefer professional support.

PSCs who are not directors must verify their identity within the first 14 days of their birth month as recorded at Companies House. For example, if your registered birth month is May, your verification window opens on 1 May 2026.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Failing to file a confirmation statement on time is a criminal offence under the Companies Act 2006. Companies House can take several actions:

• Issuing late filing reminders and warnings
• Imposing financial penalties under its enhanced 2024 powers
• Striking the company off the register, which dissolves it and transfers its assets to the Crown
• Prosecuting directors for repeated non-compliance

A struck-off company loses access to its bank accounts, contracts, and any property it owns. Restoring it later is expensive and time-consuming.

Late filings also appear on the public register, which can damage your reputation with banks, lenders, customers, and investors.

Why the Confirmation Statement Matters

Beyond meeting a legal duty, filing your confirmation statement keeps your company in good standing and supports the integrity of the UK’s company register. With Companies House now actively using its enhanced ECCTA powers to query, correct, and remove false information, accurate filings have never been more important.

A clean, up-to-date public record helps your business:

• Pass due diligence checks during funding rounds or business sales
• Open and maintain bank accounts smoothly
• Build trust with suppliers, lenders, and clients
• Avoid penalties, prosecutions, and strike-off action

Quick Confirmation Statement Checklist

Before you file, run through this short list:

1. Confirm your registered office address is correct.
2. Check all directors and the secretary (if any) are listed accurately.
3. Confirm the registered email address is current.
4. Review and update SIC codes if your business activities have changed.
5. Verify shareholder details and statement of capital.
6. Check PSC information is up to date.
7. Make sure every director and PSC has a verified Companies House personal code.
8. Pay the £50 online (or £110 paper) filing fee.

Final Thoughts

A confirmation statement may sound like routine paperwork, but in 2026 it sits at the heart of UK company compliance. With new identity verification rules, higher filing fees, and tougher enforcement powers at Companies House, the cost of getting it wrong is much higher than it was a few years ago.

If you are unsure how the new ECCTA rules apply to your company, or you simply want the filing handled correctly and on time, speaking to a qualified accountant is often the smartest move. Target Accounting UK supports limited companies, LLPs, and contractors across the UK with confirmation statements, identity verification, and full Companies House compliance, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.