Confirmation statement: what it is, when it’s due & late penalties

Last updated: 27 Oct 2026. 

You can’t run a company without a few recurring admin tasks, and it’s easy to lose track of them. A crucial one to remember is filing your confirmation statement with Companies House.

It probably isn’t the most exciting part of running a business, but it’s an important one. Your confirmation statement keeps your company’s public record up to date, helping to ensure the information available to shareholders, lenders, and other key parties is accurate.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is an annual filing that confirms the information Companies House holds about your business is accurate and up to date.

Every UK company registered with Companies House must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, including dormant and non-trading companies. You must file one even if nothing has changed during the year.

The aim is to give Companies House an up-to-date picture of your business, its ownership, and its key details.

What information does a confirmation statement include?

Your confirmation statement covers several crucial areas of company information, including:

• Registered office and contact details: your registered office address and email address
• Directors and company officers: the key people responsible for running the business
• Shareholders and share capital: information about your shareholders, the shares they hold and your company’s share structure
• People with significant control (PSCs): individuals or entities that exercise significant influence or control over your company
• Nature of your business: your SIC code that describes your business activities

You’ll also need to confirm that your business’ intended future activities are lawful.

If any details need updating, you may need to file the relevant information separately before submitting your confirmation statement. For example, changes to your registered office address or directors generally need to be reported using the relevant Companies House filing.

Some changes, including certain updates to shareholder information, share capital and your SIC code, can be reported through the confirmation statement itself.

It’s worth checking your records carefully before filing, particularly if your company has issued shares, changed ownership or updated its business activities during the year.

When is a confirmation statement due?

You must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months. The exact deadline depends on your company’s confirmation statement date.

For your first confirmation statement, the review period runs from your company’s incorporation date. For subsequent statements, it runs from the date on your previous filing. You can submit your confirmation statement up to 14 days after the end of the review period.

What happens if you file your confirmation statement late?

Missing your confirmation statement deadline can have consequences beyond a bit of extra admin.

Your company could face a financial penalty

Companies House has the power to issue a financial penalty if you fail to file your confirmation statement on time. The amount and circumstances will depend on the relevant enforcement action.

 Late filing penalty fees, correct at the time of publishing: 

Your company could be struck off

If you continue to neglect your filing obligations, Companies House could take steps to remove your company from the register.

Being struck off can have serious implications for your business, its shareholders, and assets. It can also create complications if you want to continue trading, raise investment, or other important company transactions.

Directors could face legal consequences

Directors are responsible for ensuring their company meets its statutory filing obligations. Failing to submit a confirmation statement can constitute an offence, and directors may face personal fines if prosecuted.

The best approach is to deal with a missed deadline as soon as possible rather than allowing the situation to continue.

Why your confirmation statement matters when raising investment

For growing businesses, keeping Companies House records up to date is about more than just staying on top of compliance.

When you’re preparing to raise investment, potential investors and advisors may review public records alongside your cap table, shareholder agreements, and other corporate documents.

Inconsistencies between these records can lead to additional questions and work during the due diligence process. For example, if you’ve issued shares but your shareholder information hasn’t been updated correctly, you’ll want to resolve that discrepancy before it becomes a distraction during an investment round.

Your confirmation statement is just one part of maintaining good corporate records. It doesn't replace a properly maintained cap table or the need to keep accurate records of share issuances, transfers and other changes in ownership.

File your confirmation statement through Vestd

Filing your confirmation statement doesn’t need to be another admin headache. With Vestd, you can manage the process directly through the platform, making it easier to review your company details and submit your information to Companies House in one place.

You can check your filing, review your information, and confirm the details before submitting, helping you to keep your records up to date without adding a complicated process to your growing to-do list.

Want to see how Vestd could work for your business? Book a call with our team to explore how the platform can help you manage your company records and stay on top of your equity admin.