Confirmation Statement Hub: CS01 Explained (2026 UK Guide)
The Confirmation Statement is one of the two filings every UK limited company must submit to Companies House each year, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. This hub from Filing Accounts UK brings together everything you need to know — what it is, the CS01 form, deadlines, fees, how to file, and late filing penalties — using only verified facts from official Companies House guidance.
At Filing Accounts, we file Confirmation Statements for UK small businesses every day. Always check your company’s current filing status on the Companies House public register.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A Confirmation Statement is a filing that confirms — or updates — the non-financial information Companies House holds about your company on the public register. It replaced the old “Annual Return” in June 2016. According to official Companies House confirmation statement guidance, it covers:
- The company’s registered office address
- Details of directors and the company secretary, if one is appointed
- Shareholders and share capital
- People with Significant Control (PSCs)
- SIC code(s) describing the company’s business activity
- A registered email address
- A statement confirming the company’s intended activities are lawful
It contains no financial information at all — no turnover, profit, or balance sheet figures. That’s a separate filing, covered further down.
CS01 Explained
CS01 is the official form name for the Confirmation Statement. When people talk about “filing a CS01,” they mean submitting this Confirmation Statement. Every company must file at least one CS01 every 12 months, even if nothing has changed since the last one — in that case, you simply confirm the existing details are still correct rather than entering anything new.
If something has changed — a new director, a different registered office, a change in shareholders — most of those changes should be filed as they happen using the relevant specific form (for example, AP01 or TM01 for directors, or PSC04 for a PSC update). The CS01 then confirms the overall picture is accurate at that point in time, rather than being the vehicle for every individual change itself.
Confirmation Statement Deadline
Your Confirmation Statement is due at least once every 12 months. The “review period” normally starts on your incorporation date, or the date your last Confirmation Statement was made up to. You then have 14 days after the review period ends to file it.
You can also file early, within your review period, if your details are already up to date — doing so resets the 12-month cycle from that point. Filing early doesn’t cost anything extra and can be a useful way to formally confirm changes sooner, particularly around director and PSC identity verification requirements.
Confirmation Statement Fee
From 1 February 2026, Companies House increased the Confirmation Statement filing fee:
| Filing Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online (WebFiling) | £50 |
| Paper | £110 |
This fee is payable every time you file a Confirmation Statement — not just once. Unlike Annual Accounts, which have no Companies House filing fee at all, the CS01 fee applies to every single submission, even if nothing about your company has changed.
How to File CS01
Step 1: Check Your Details Are Correct
Review your company’s current record on the Companies House public register before filing, so you know exactly what needs confirming or updating.
Step 2: File Online via WebFiling
Sign in to Companies House WebFiling using your company’s authentication code. Online filing is faster and cheaper than paper, and is what the vast majority of companies use.
Step 3: Confirm Director and PSC Identity Verification
Since 18 November 2025, a Confirmation Statement cannot be filed unless all directors have completed identity verification and provided their Companies House personal code. Check this is in place well before your deadline.
Step 4: Pay the Fee and Submit
Pay the £50 online fee and submit. You’ll typically receive confirmation of acceptance within 1 working day, though it can take up to 3.
Step 5: Keep a Record
Your Confirmation Statement, once accepted, appears in your company’s filing history on the public register, which you can check at any time.
Late Confirmation Statement Penalties
Unlike late Annual Accounts, there is no automatic financial penalty for a late Confirmation Statement — but that doesn’t mean it’s low-stakes. Failing to file one is a criminal offence. Companies House can prosecute the company and its directors, and persistent non-filing can lead to the company being struck off the register entirely. Given the company is legally dissolved if struck off, the consequences of ignoring a Confirmation Statement can ultimately be more severe than a fixed late-accounts fine.
Confirmation Statement vs Annual Accounts
These are two entirely separate filings, and one of the most common points of confusion for directors:
| Confirmation Statement (CS01) | Annual Accounts | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Company structure and details | Financial performance and position |
| Deadline basis | 12-month review period + 14 days | 9 months after financial year end |
| Digital fee | £50 | Free |
| Late penalty | None automatic — but a criminal offence | Automatic, from £150 to £1,500 |
Filing one does not satisfy the requirement to file the other — both are required every year, for every company, including dormant ones. For the full breakdown, see our dedicated guide: Confirmation Statement vs Annual Accounts: What’s the Difference?
Confirmation Statement at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form name | CS01 |
| Frequency | At least every 12 months |
| Deadline | 14 days after the review period ends |
| Online fee | £50 |
| Paper fee | £110 |
| Contains financial data? | No |
| Required if dormant? | Yes |
| Automatic late fine? | No, but it’s a criminal offence to miss |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming No Changes Means No Filing Needed
Even with nothing to update, you must still actively confirm your details are correct every 12 months.
Confusing It With Annual Accounts
They’re separate filings with separate deadlines and fees — filing one never covers the other.
Underestimating a Late Filing
No automatic fine doesn’t mean no consequence — it’s a criminal offence and can lead to the company being struck off.
Forgetting Identity Verification Blocks the Filing
A Confirmation Statement can’t be filed unless all directors are identity-verified with a valid personal code on record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CS01?
CS01 is the official form name for the Confirmation Statement, confirming your company’s non-financial details are correct on the Companies House register.
How often do I need to file a Confirmation Statement?
At least once every 12 months, within 14 days of your review period ending.
How much does a Confirmation Statement cost?
£50 online, or £110 by paper, from 1 February 2026.
What happens if I file my Confirmation Statement late?
There’s no automatic fine, but it’s a criminal offence, and Companies House can prosecute or strike the company off the register.
Do dormant companies need to file a Confirmation Statement?
Yes. Every company must file one every year, regardless of trading status.
Is a Confirmation Statement the same as Annual Accounts?
No. They’re separate filings — the Confirmation Statement covers company details, while Annual Accounts cover financial performance.
Need Help With Your Confirmation Statement? Talk to Filing Accounts UK
At Filing Accounts, we file Confirmation Statements for UK small businesses correctly and on time, every year, so your public record stays accurate and your company stays in good standing.
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