Confirmation statements — what they are and how to file

What is a confirmation statement?

The confirmation statement (formerly the annual return) is an annual filing with Companies House that confirms your company’s key registered information is accurate as of a specific date (the statement date).

Unlike annual accounts, the confirmation statement doesn’t contain financial information — it’s a check that Companies House records are correct.

What it covers

The confirmation statement confirms:

• Registered office address — where official correspondence is sent.
• Principal business activities — your SIC codes.
• Directors and secretaries — names, addresses and appointment dates.
• Shareholders (members) — who owns shares and how many of each class.
• People with Significant Control (PSC) — individuals or entities that control the company (over 25% shares, voting rights or appointment power).
• Share capital — total authorised and issued share capital.
• Statement of capital — details of each share class, rights and restrictions.

Deadlines

You must file the confirmation statement within 14 days of your review period end date (the date on which the statement is made up to). The review period is 12 months from your last statement date (or from incorporation for the first statement).

Example: If your last statement date was 15 March 2025, your next statement date is 15 March 2026, and you must file by 29 March 2026.

Filing through AccBooks

1. Go to Companies House → Confirmation statement.
2. AccBooks fetches your current Companies House record and compares it to your AccBooks company settings.
3. Any differences are highlighted for your review.
4. If everything is correct, click File confirmation statement.
5. If there are changes (e.g., a new director, change of address), update them first — AccBooks files the changes at the same time as the statement.
6. Pay the filing fee: £13 for online filing (£40 by post).
7. Companies House issues a confirmation reference number immediately.

What happens if you miss the deadline

Companies House will send reminder letters to your registered office. If you still don’t file, the company faces compulsory strike-off — Companies House removes it from the register, and it loses its legal existence as a company.

A struck-off company:

• Cannot trade or enter contracts.
• Cannot have a bank account.
• Has its assets vested in the Crown (bona vacantia).

To restore a struck-off company, you need a court order or administrative restoration — a much more expensive and time-consuming process.

AccBooks alerts you 30 days before your confirmation statement due date and again at 7 days.

PSC register

The PSC (People with Significant Control) register is the most complex part of the confirmation statement. You must identify and disclose any individual who:

• Holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
• Can appoint or remove a majority of directors.
• Otherwise exercises significant control.

Companies themselves can be a PSC if they control another company (a “relevant legal entity” or RLE).

AccBooks maintains your PSC register under Settings → Company → PSC register. Keep it updated — changes must be filed with Companies House within 14 days.

Share capital changes

If you’ve issued new shares or changed your share structure during the year, these changes must be recorded at Companies House using form SH01 (return of allotment) before filing the confirmation statement. AccBooks guides you through this under Settings → Company → Shares → Allot shares.