Can I file my confirmation statement myself?

Yes, you can. If you feel comfortable using the Companies House website and know what information needs to be reported, it’s straightforward enough to do it yourself. However, if you’d prefer someone else to handle it, or if you’d like advice on whether a particular change needs reporting, we can take care of this for you.

What's the difference between a confirmation statement and annual accounts?

Annual accounts are financial statements — they show your company’s profit, loss, assets, and liabilities. A confirmation statement is more like an administrative questionnaire about your company’s structure: who the directors are, who owns shares, and where the company is registered. Both are required, but they serve different purposes.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Companies House can issue fines for late filing, and if statements aren’t filed for a prolonged period, your company could be struck off the register. If you’ve missed a deadline, the best thing to do is file as soon as possible. HMRC and Companies House are often more understanding than people expect — what matters is that you take action.

Confirmation Statements

Your company’s annual check-in with Companies House — filed on time, with zero stress.

Who needs to file a confirmation statement?

If you run a limited company, an LLP, or a Community Interest Company, you’re required to file a confirmation statement at least once a year.

You can file it yourself through the Companies House website if you’re comfortable with the process and have your company’s authentication code. Many business owners prefer to have their accountant handle it — not because it’s complicated, but because it’s one less thing to remember.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement is a snapshot in time of your company’s current details, submitted to Companies House. It shows things like:

Your company’s registered office address
Its directors and their details
Its share structure and shareholders
People with Significant Control (PSCs)
Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes, which are the categories that describe what your business does

It’s not a financial document like your annual accounts. Think of it more as an administrative check — a way of confirming that Companies House has the right information about your company on file.

Who could read your confirmation statement?

This information is publicly available and used by credit agencies, investors, and anyone researching your business. Keeping it accurate protects your company’s credibility.

When to file your confirmation statement

You need to file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months — but you can file more often if something changes.

Certain changes should be reported as soon as they happen:

A new director joins (or one resigns)
Share structure changes
A Person with Significant Control changes
Shareholder details update (including address changes)

The annual filing confirms that all changes have been reported or that nothing has changed since your last statement.

How to file a confirmation statement

There are three main ways to file:

Web filing — directly through the Companies House website (the cheapest option)
Through a formations company or company secretary — often using specialist software
Through your accountant — we handle the filing and keep track of deadlines for you

Whichever route you choose, you’ll need the company’s authentication code. This is a sensitive piece of information — it gives access to file important changes, including closing the company — so it should only be shared with people you trust.

New confirmation statement requirements

From March 2024, Companies House requires a registered email address for your company, and you must confirm that your company’s intended future activities are lawful. From November 2025, all directors and PSCs must also verify their identity — this is being phased in over 12 months. If you find this process confusing, you’re not alone — we can guide you through it.

Why confirmation statements matter

Filing your confirmation statement on time isn’t optional — it’s a legal requirement. Missing the deadline can result in fines, and if you keep missing the deadline, your company could be struck off the register.

Beyond avoiding penalties, keeping your Companies House records accurate matters because:

Credit agencies use this information when assessing your business
Potential clients or partners may check your company details before working with you
Accurate records make future admin (like opening a business bank account) much smoother

Confirmation Statements

Annual confirmation statement filing
Tracking and deadline reminders
Reporting of any changes during the year (+£20 per reportable change)
Guidance on new ID verification requirements
Peace of mind that your records are accurate

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Your Confirmation Statements with Watmore & Co

We keep track of your confirmation statement deadline so you don’t have to. When it’s time to file, we’ll check in with you to confirm whether anything has changed — new directors, share transfers, address updates — and handle the submission.

Proactively tracking changes to your company

If there have been changes to your company, we’ll track them and make sure they’re reported correctly. Using a checklist system, we ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

We also help you stay on top of things — we won’t wait until the last minute to remind you about deadlines, and we’ll flag things that need attention.