Confirmation statements: what a new director should know

What it does

A confirmation statement tells Companies House that the required information about the company has been checked and is up to date. It is separate from annual accounts and tax returns.

Do this now

1. Find the company's current review period and filing deadline in the Companies House service.
2. Check the registered office, registered email, directors, PSC information, statement of capital, shareholders and business activity codes.
3. Make any changes that must be filed separately before or alongside the statement.
4. Confirm the current filing route, identity-verification requirements and fee on the official service.
5. Save the submission receipt and the version of the information that was approved.

What good looks like

The public register matches the company's own statutory records and ownership information. The next review date and a reminder are assigned to a responsible person, with enough time to resolve discrepancies.

Common mistakes

• Treating the statement as a substitute for updating changes when they occur.
• Confusing it with accounts or a Corporation Tax return.
• Confirming information without checking the share and PSC records.
• Relying on a diary date set at incorporation without checking the live register.

When to get professional help

Ask an accountant, company-secretarial provider or solicitor to help where share capital, ownership, PSCs or historic filings do not reconcile. Correct the underlying records rather than repeatedly confirming incorrect information.

Keep in your roadmap

Record the official deadline separately from your earlier internal target date. Attach the receipt, note any changes made and set the next reminder.