What the confirmation statement is and why it matters
The confirmation statement is an annual filing that confirms your company's registered information including its directors, shareholders, registered address, and SIC code is up to date. It is due every 12 months and must be filed within 14 days of the review date. It costs £34 to file online.
Failure to file a confirmation statement within 14 days of the due date makes the company overdue. Companies House may begin strike-off proceedings against a company that persistently fails to file its confirmation statement. An overdue confirmation statement also means that the PSC register and other statutory information on the public register may be out of date, which creates additional concerns for lenders conducting due diligence.
Resolving an overdue confirmation statement
Filing an overdue confirmation statement takes around 10 minutes online at Companies House. Once filed, the overdue status is removed from the register within 24 hours. This is one of the most straightforward compliance issues to resolve before applying for finance, and there is no good reason to apply with an overdue confirmation statement when it can be filed so quickly.
- File online at Companies House - takes around 10 minutes
- Cost: £34 online (£62 by paper)
- Register is updated within 24 hours of filing
- Overdue status is removed once the filing is accepted
- All information including directors, PSCs, and SIC codes should be verified when filing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an overdue confirmation statement the same as overdue accounts?
No. They are separate filings. The confirmation statement confirms statutory company information. Accounts report financial performance. Both are required, have different due dates, and are assessed separately by lenders and Companies House.
Will a lender automatically decline if my confirmation statement is overdue?
Not necessarily, but it will raise questions. Some lenders apply blanket rules declining companies with overdue filings. Others will allow a short time for the issue to be resolved. It is always better to file before applying.