How to File a Confirmation Statement (CS01) with Companies House

🎯 Understanding the Confirmation Statement (CS01)

Before 2016, this requirement was known as the "Annual Return." The transition to the Confirmation Statement was designed to simplify the process for business owners. Instead of re-entering all your company data every year, you simply review the data Companies House already has and "confirm" it is still accurate or notify them of minor updates.

What is the Purpose of the CS01?

The primary goal is transparency. Potential investors, creditors, and the general public rely on the Companies House register to verify who owns and runs a business. By filing your CS01, you are legally declaring that your statutory records are current. This is separate from your annual accounts, which focus on financial performance; the confirmation statement focuses on legal structure.

Who Needs to File?

• Every active Limited Company (Ltd) registered in the UK.
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).
• Dormant companies (even if you aren't trading, you must still file).
• Community Interest Companies (CICs).

For more information on general director responsibilities, you can read our guide on UK Director Duties and Compliance.

📋 What Information Needs Confirming?

When you begin the filing process, you will be presented with a snapshot of your company’s current details. You must check each of the following areas carefully to ensure no errors have crept into the record over the previous year.

Registered Office and Officers

The first check involves your Registered Office Address. This must be a physical location where legal mail can be delivered. You will also review the list of current Directors and, if applicable, the Company Secretary. Ensure their service addresses and occupation details have not changed since the last filing.

Share Capital and Shareholders

If your company has share capital, you must confirm the Statement of Capital. This includes the total number of shares issued, their aggregate nominal value, and the amount paid up on each share. If there have been transfers of shares between individuals, these updates are usually finalized during the CS01 process. You can learn more about share structures in our article on Issuing Shares in a UK Limited Company.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes

The SIC code describes what your business actually does (e.g., "62012 - Business and domestic software development"). If your business model has pivoted significantly in the last year, you may need to update your SIC code to reflect your new primary activities.

• Check that your People with Significant Control (PSC) register is accurate.
• Verify the "Trading Status" of your shares (whether they are on a public market).
• Update any changes to the location of your Statutory Registers (if not kept at the registered office).

⏰ Deadlines and the Review Period

Timing is critical when it comes to Companies House filings. Missing a deadline can result in your company being struck off the register, which effectively ends its legal existence. It is vital to understand the difference between your review period and your filing deadline.

The 12-Month Review Period

Your review period usually starts on the anniversary of your company's incorporation or the day after your last confirmation statement was made up to. This period lasts for exactly 12 months. You can file a statement at any time during this period if you wish to "reset" your annual clock, but you must file at least once every year.

The 14-Day Filing Window

Once your review period ends, you have a 14-day window to submit the CS01 form to Companies House. For example, if your review period ends on September 1st, your filing must be received and processed by September 15th. This is a much tighter window than the nine months allowed for annual accounts.

• Failure to file is a criminal offense for directors.
• Companies House can assume the company is no longer trading and begin dissolution proceedings.
• Late filing of a CS01 does not result in an automatic financial penalty like accounts do, but it can lead to prosecution and a personal fine for directors.

💻 Step-by-Step Filing Guide via WebFiling

The vast majority of companies file their CS01 online using the Companies House WebFiling service. It is faster, cheaper, and includes built-in checks to prevent common errors that often lead to paper forms being rejected.

Step 1: Access WebFiling

Go to the Companies House website and log in to your WebFiling account. You will need your Company Authentication Code—a six-character alphanumeric code sent by post to your registered office. If you have lost this code, you must request a new one by mail, which can take several days.

Step 2: Review and Edit Information

The system will guide you through several screens showing your current data. If you have already reported changes (like a new director appointment) using other forms (like an AP01), that info should already appear. If you notice an error in something like the SIC code or share capital, you can make those edits directly within the CS01 flow.

Step 3: Submit and Pay the Fee

Once you reach the end of the process, you will be asked to "confirm" the statement. You will then be directed to a payment screen. The current fee for online filing is significantly lower than paper filing. Once paid, you will receive an email confirmation that your submission is pending approval.

• Ensure you have your authentication code ready before you start.
• Double-check PSC details, as these are frequently scrutinized by banks.
• Keep a copy of the submission confirmation for your internal records.

If you are unsure about your company's current status, check out our guide on How to Use the Companies House Search Service.

💰 Filing Fees and Costs

There is a mandatory fee associated with filing a confirmation statement. This fee covers the administrative costs of maintaining the public register and is paid directly to Companies House.

The "Once a Year" Rule

A unique feature of the CS01 fee is that you only have to pay it once in any 12-month period. If you decide to file multiple confirmation statements in a single year (perhaps because you want to provide updated shareholder info to a lender), you will not be charged again after the first payment.

Online vs. Paper Costs

As of 2024, the fee for filing online is £34. Filing by post using a paper form costs £62. Beyond the cost saving, online filing provides an immediate digital audit trail and reduces the risk of the document being lost in the post or rejected due to illegible handwriting.

• Payment can be made via credit/debit card or a Companies House account.
• The fee is not subject to VAT.
• Fees are subject to change; always check the latest rates on the government website.

✅ Action Steps: How to Get Started

Follow these steps to ensure your company remains in good standing and avoids the risk of strike-off action.

Immediate Tasks

• Check your due date: Log in to the Companies House service to see when your next CS01 is due.
• Locate your code: Ensure you have your 6-digit Company Authentication Code.
• Review your records: Cross-reference your internal registers with what is currently on the public record.
• File early: Don't wait until day 14 of the window; file as soon as the review period ends.

Long-Term Compliance

To make future filings easier, consider using a professional company secretarial service or a formation agent. They can monitor your deadlines and handle the filings on your behalf, ensuring you never miss a date. For more tips on scaling your business safely, read our article on Managing Growth in a UK Business.

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