CS01 Confirmation Statement UK: Filing Guide 2025
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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK
If you run a limited company in the UK, the CS01 Confirmation Statement is one of those filings you cannot sidestep. It is how Companies House checks, once a year, that the information it holds about your company still reflects reality.
The filing itself is relatively short, but getting it wrong, or missing the deadline, can cause real headaches for directors. I'm Brad Askew, Legal Tech Founder at LegalDocuments.co.uk, and on this page I walk through what the CS01 covers, who is responsible for submitting it, what information Companies House expects to see, and the practical steps for filing.
I also cover what happens if a statement is filed late, how the process links to your PSC register, and where to look for the official form and current fee.
What this document is
The Confirmation Statement, filed on form CS01, is the annual check-in that every UK limited company and LLP must complete with Companies House. It replaced the older Annual Return (form AR01) back in 2016, and while the name changed, the purpose is similar: to confirm that the public record of your company is accurate and up to date.
Unlike accounts, the CS01 is not about finances. It is about the structural and ownership details of the company, things like the registered office, the SIC codes describing what the business does, the statement of capital, shareholder information, and the People with Significant Control (PSC) register.
You can either confirm that nothing has changed since the last filing, or use the statement to flag updates. Some changes, such as appointing a new director or changing the registered office, must still be filed separately on their own dedicated forms before the CS01 is submitted. The legal basis sits in Part 24 of the Companies Act 2006.
How to use this document
- Check your confirmation date. Your review period runs from the date of incorporation, or from your last confirmation statement, and lasts up to 12 months. You have 14 days after the end of that period to file. Log in to the Companies House service to see your next due date before you start.
- Review what Companies House currently holds. Pull up your company's public record and read through it carefully. Check the registered office, directors, company secretary (if you have one), SIC codes, registered email address, and the PSC details. Anything incorrect needs to be addressed before or alongside your CS01.
- File any separate changes first. Certain updates cannot be made through the CS01 itself. New directors, resignations, a change of registered office, or PSC changes each have their own form (AP01, TM01, AD01, PSC01 and so on). Submit those first so the CS01 confirms a clean, accurate record.
- Update shareholder and share capital information. The CS01 is where you refresh the statement of capital, trading status of shares, and the list of shareholders for companies with share capital. If you have had share transfers or issued new shares during the review period, make sure those details are captured here.
- Submit online and pay the fee. Filing through the Companies House online service is faster and cheaper than filing on paper. Pay the annual fee (check gov.uk for the current amount) and keep the confirmation receipt. The fee covers a full 12-month payment period, so you can file additional statements during that window at no extra cost.
Common questions
Q Who is responsible for filing the Confirmation Statement?
Legal responsibility sits with the company's directors, and with the secretary if one has been appointed. In practice, the filing is often handled by an accountant or company secretary service, but directors remain accountable if it is missed or filed incorrectly. Even if you pay someone else to do it, you should check the content before it goes in, because the public record reflects on the company.
Q How often do I need to file a CS01?
At least once every 12 months. The review period ends on the anniversary of your incorporation, or on the anniversary of your last confirmation statement, whichever is later. You then have 14 days to file. You can file more frequently if you want to update the record sooner, and there is no additional fee within the same 12-month payment period.
Q What happens if I miss the deadline?
Late filing is taken seriously. Companies House can start the process of striking the company off the register, which ultimately dissolves the business. Directors may also face prosecution in some cases. Unlike late accounts, there is not an automatic financial penalty for a late CS01, but the risk of strike-off means you should act quickly if you realise the filing is overdue.
Q Do dormant companies need to file a Confirmation Statement?
Yes. The CS01 obligation applies regardless of whether the company is actively trading. Dormant companies, non-trading companies, and holding companies all need to confirm their details each year. The filing itself is usually straightforward for a dormant company, but skipping it can still lead to strike-off action, which causes problems if you later want to revive the business.
Q Can I change my company details on the CS01?
Some details yes, others no. You can update SIC codes, the statement of capital, shareholder information, and confirm PSC details through the CS01. However, changes to directors, secretaries, registered office address, and the PSC register itself are made on separate forms and should be filed before the CS01, so the confirmation is accurate when submitted.
Q What is the difference between a CS01 and company accounts?
They are two different annual filings with different deadlines and different purposes. The CS01 confirms the structural and ownership information on the public register. Company accounts report the financial position of the business for the relevant accounting period. Both must be filed with Companies House, but missing one does not excuse missing the other, and each has its own consequences for late filing.
Q Do I need to file a CS01 if nothing has changed?
Yes. That is actually the most common scenario. The statement exists to confirm the record, not just to update it. If nothing has changed during the review period, you still need to submit the CS01 to say so. Without that confirmation, Companies House has no way to know whether silence means 'still accurate' or 'neglected', so the filing is mandatory either way.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovCompanies House: File a Confirmation Statement (CS01)gov.uk
- LegislationCompanies Act 2006, Part 24 (Confirmation Statement)legislation.gov.uk
- Guidance · Companies HouseCompanies House Online Filing Servicefind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovPeople with Significant Control (PSC) Guidancegov.uk
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.