What’s a Confirmation statement? A quick guide
If you run a business that’s registered at Companies House, you’ll need to submit an annual confirmation statement. This document asks you to confirm the ownership, directors and shareholdings of the company, and it’s an opportunity to update your details with Companies House, and to spot any errors in your listing. For a number of reasons, it’s important that the information Companies House holds about your business is accurate.
When do I need to submit it?
Your confirmation statement is usually due 12 months after the date your company was incorporated or the date that you filed your last annual return or confirmation statement. You have up to 14 days to submit your confirmation statement after your due date. If you’re not sure when your due date is, you can check by logging into your webfiling account or by searching your company’s data on the Companies House website.
What do I need to check?
Before you complete your confirmation form, you need to check the following:
- the details of your registered office, directors and secretary
- The address where you keep your records
- your statement of capital and shareholder information if your company has shares
- your SIC code – the number that identifies what your company does
- your register of ‘people with significant control’
How do I report changes?
You can report changes to your statement of capital, shareholder information and SIC codes at the same time.
But you cannot use the confirmation statement to report changes to:
- your company’s officers
- the registered office address
- the address where you keep your records
- people with significant control
These are changes that you must file separately with Companies House.
What do you need to complete the statement?
You will need your company number and your webfiling company authentication code, which is a six-digit alphanumeric code. This code is usually sent to your registered office by post when you initially set up the company.
If you have lost your company authentication code, you can ask for it to be reissued and it will be sent by post to your registered office in around seven days.
Will I get a reminder?
You should receive a reminder about completing the confirmation statement. These reminders used to be by letter, but you will now get an automated reminder via email. To make sure that you get your reminder, you should check that your email address is registered. You can use the link below to do that.
What happens if I don’t submit my statement?
It’s a requirement of being a registered company that you submit your confirmation statement. If you don’t, you can be struck off the register, with the consequence that your company would cease to exist, and any assets could revert to the Crown. There are also fines of up to £5,000 for failing to submit your statement. And, as it costs just £13 to submit your form online, it’s a quick and easy piece of administration to do.
Helpful links:
More on confirmation statements: https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company/company-annual-return
Online application: https://www.gov.uk/file-your-confirmation-statement-with-companies-house
Using your company authentication code: https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk/2019/11/25/using-your-company-authentication-code-to-file-online/
Getting an automated reminder: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-for-email-reminders-from-companies-house
Please contact us if you need any more information on submitting your confirmation statement.
Please note: This is not meant to constitute professional advice. It is generic guidance only and things may have changed since it was written –please always seek specific & tailored advice for your circumstances.