Confirmation of statement

The confirmation statement of a company, previously known as the annual return, is a statutory document that all limited companies (and Limited Liability Partnerships - LLPs) registered in the UK must file with Companies House at least once every 12 months.  

Think of it as an annual check-up for your company's public record. It's a way of confirming that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate and up-to-date as of a specific date (the confirmation date).  

Key things to know about the confirmation statement

Purpose

To ensure the information held by Companies House on the public register is correct and current. This promotes transparency and allows the public to have reliable information about UK companies.  

Frequency

Must be filed at least once every 12 months. The filing is due within 14 days of the end of your company's "review period," which is usually a 12-month period starting from either the company's incorporation date or the date of the last confirmation statement.  

What it confirms

You need to review and confirm details such as:

·      Company name and registered number.

·      Registered office address.  

·      Details of directors and the company secretary (if applicable).  

·      Information about People with Significant Control (PSCs).  

·      Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code(s) describing the company's business activities.  

·      Statement of capital (details of shares).  

·      Shareholder information.  

·      Location of statutory registers (if not at the registered office).

From March 5th, 2024, a statement confirming that the intended future activities of the company are lawful, and a registered email address must also be provided.

Updating Information

If any of the information held by Companies House is incorrect or has changed, you must update it. Some changes (like changes to directors, PSCs, or the registered office) need to be filed using separate forms before or at the same time as you file the confirmation statement.

Other changes, like SIC codes or shareholder information, can sometimes be updated within the confirmation statement itself.  

Mandatory Filing

Even if there have been no changes to your company's information during the review period, you still must file a confirmation statement to confirm that the existing details are correct. Dormant and non-trading companies are also required to file a confirmation statement annually.  

Online Filing

The confirmation statement is typically filed online through the Companies House website or via compatible company secretarial software.  

Fee

There is a fee payable to Companies House when you file your confirmation statement. You pay an annual fee, and you can file multiple confirmation statements within that 12-month payment period without additional charges.

Consequences of Not Filing

Failure to file a confirmation statement on time is a criminal offense and can lead to penalties, prosecution of company officers, and even the company being struck off the Companies House register.  

In summary, the confirmation statement is a vital annual administrative task for UK limited companies. It's a straightforward way to confirm the accuracy of the company's public record and comply with the Companies Act 2006. It replaced the old "annual return" to simplify the process.