UK Confirmation Statement Examples: What To Include And How To File

If you run a UK limited company or LLP, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the “confirmation statement” and thought: is this just another admin task?

It is an admin task - but it’s also one of those compliance steps that protects your company from avoidable problems (like Companies House compliance issues, late filing action, or even strike-off proceedings if you ignore it for long enough).

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a confirmation statement is, what needs to go into it, and (importantly) provide practical examples of confirmation statements so you can sanity-check what you’re submitting before you file.

We’ll keep it simple, business-focused, and geared towards small companies that want to stay compliant without getting bogged down in legal jargon.

What Is A Confirmation Statement (And Why Does It Matter)?

A confirmation statement is a filing you submit to Companies House to confirm that your company’s key information is accurate and up to date.

Think of it as an annual “snapshot” check-in. You’re essentially confirming one of two things:

• Nothing has changed since your last confirmation statement (or since incorporation), or
• Things have changed, and you’ve updated the relevant company records - and now you’re confirming the updated position.

This requirement comes from the Companies Act 2006, and it applies to most UK companies (including dormant companies). It’s not a tax return, and it’s not your annual accounts - it’s specifically about the company’s “public record” details.

When Is It Due?

Usually, your confirmation statement is due every 12 months, and Companies House gives you a “review period”. Once that review period ends, you typically have 14 days to file.

You can file early as well (for example, if you’ve made changes and want the public register to reflect them sooner).

What Happens If You Don’t File?

If you don’t file your confirmation statement, Companies House can take action - including starting the process to strike the company off the register.

That can create a domino effect of issues, such as:

• Banking and payment provider disruption (some providers monitor Companies House filings)
• Problems with contracts and credibility (counterparties often do basic company checks)
• Difficulty raising finance or bringing in investors
• Potential director consequences if compliance failures build up

So while it’s not always complicated, it is important to treat it as a non-negotiable part of running a company properly.

What Information Must Be Included In A Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement doesn’t usually require you to upload a long narrative. It’s more about structured details - and your job is to confirm those details are correct.

What you need to confirm depends on your company’s setup, but commonly includes:

• Registered office address
• Directors (and company secretary if you have one)
• Shareholders and share capital details (for companies with shares)
• People with Significant Control (PSC)
• SIC codes (Standard Industrial Classification codes describing your business activities)
• Confirmation of your company’s principal business activities

In many cases, if something has changed, you may need to update the relevant Companies House records first, then file the confirmation statement to confirm the updated information. However, some updates can also be made as part of the online confirmation statement filing process, depending on the type of change.

It’s also worth keeping your internal company governance tidy as you grow - for example, where decisions are documented properly using a Company Resolution, and where the rules of your company are clear in your Company Constitution.

Does Every Small Company Need To Confirm Shareholders And Shares?

Not every business structure is the same.

• If you run a company limited by shares, share structure details are typically part of what you confirm.
• If you run a company limited by guarantee, you won’t have share capital in the same way (you’ll have members/guarantors instead).
• If you run an LLP, the confirmation statement will reflect LLP information, not shares.

If you’re not 100% sure what your company’s public record says, it can help to check basic identifiers first (like your Company Registration Number) and confirm that your director records match what you expect.

Confirmation Statement Examples: What It Looks Like In Practice

Below are practical confirmation statement examples showing the types of entries you might see (and need to confirm). These aren’t “templates” you copy and paste into one box - Companies House typically collects this through an online form - but they’ll help you understand what you’re confirming and what “good” looks like.

Important: Always make sure the information matches your business reality and Companies House records. If you need to make changes, you may be able to update certain details during the online filing flow - but for other changes, you’ll need to update the underlying records first, then file your confirmation statement.

Example 1: Registered Office Address (No Change)

• Registered office address: 10 Example Street, London, EC1A 1AA
• Confirmation: No change since last statement

This is the easiest scenario: the address is still correct, and you simply confirm it.

Example 2: SIC Codes (Common Small Business Setup)

• SIC code 1: 62020 (Information technology consultancy activities)
• SIC code 2: 63110 (Data processing, hosting and related activities)

SIC codes should broadly reflect what you do. If you’ve pivoted your business model (for example, from consultancy to e-commerce), it’s a good idea to update SIC codes so your public record doesn’t look inconsistent.

Example 3: Director Details (Confirming The Register Is Correct)

• Director name: Alex Taylor
• Service address: 10 Example Street, London, EC1A 1AA
• Appointment date: 15 March 2022
• Confirmation: Details correct

If you’re unsure what’s currently registered, doing a quick check of the Company Directors listing can help you confirm that the right people are recorded and that appointment dates match your internal records.

Example 4: PSC (Person With Significant Control) - Single Founder

• PSC name: Alex Taylor
• Nature of control: Holds more than 75% of the shares and voting rights

PSC information is a common area where companies slip up, especially after investment, share transfers, or bringing in a co-founder.

If your ownership has changed, it’s worth checking whether you need stronger internal documentation - many small businesses use a Shareholders Agreement to set clear rules around who owns what, what happens if someone leaves, and how decisions are made.

Example 5: Statement Of Capital - Simple Two-Shareholder Company

Here’s a confirmation statement example of what share capital might look like for a standard company limited by shares:

• Total shares: 100
• Share class: Ordinary
• Currency: GBP
• Aggregate nominal value: 100
• Prescribed particulars: One vote per share; equal rights to dividends; equal rights to capital distribution

This section often becomes more complex if you have multiple share classes (for example, non-voting shares, growth shares, or preference shares). If that’s your situation, it’s worth having your company’s constitutional documents structured correctly so filings remain consistent.

Example 6: Shareholder Information (Basic Cap Table Snapshot)

• Shareholder 1: Alex Taylor - 70 Ordinary shares
• Shareholder 2: Priya Singh - 30 Ordinary shares

Even if your shareholder split is straightforward, issues can arise if shares have been transferred informally or if your internal records don’t match what’s been filed.

How To File A Confirmation Statement With Companies House (Step-By-Step)

Filing is usually straightforward, but it helps to approach it like a mini-checklist so you don’t miss anything.

Step 1: Check Your Deadline And Review Period

Confirm when your statement is due. If you file late, you can trigger compliance action - so put it in your calendar and treat it like an annual “non-negotiable”.

Step 2: Review Your Company Details Before You Start

Before you click submit, take 10–15 minutes to confirm the basics:

• Is your registered office address correct?
• Are your directors up to date (including resignations and appointments)?
• Do your PSC details still reflect reality?
• Are your SIC codes still accurate?
• Do shareholdings match what you believe they are?

If something is wrong, don’t just “confirm” it. Update the record first (or via the filing flow where Companies House allows it), then submit.

Step 3: Make Any Changes Using The Correct Companies House Processes

This is where a lot of businesses get stuck: the confirmation statement isn’t always the right place to fix every issue.

For example, if you’ve made a key decision (like issuing new shares, approving a transfer, or changing internal governance), you’ll usually want that decision properly recorded internally too - often via a Company Resolution - before you make external filings.

Step 4: File Online (Most Common) Or By Paper Form

Most small businesses file online because it’s quicker and usually cheaper.

Companies House charges a filing fee. Currently, it’s £34 to file online and £62 to file by post (fees can change, so it’s worth checking the latest Companies House guidance before submitting). Once you submit, the confirmation statement updates the public record accordingly.

Step 5: Keep A Copy For Your Records

After filing, keep a copy of what was submitted and note the next due date.

Good record-keeping sounds boring, but it can be incredibly helpful if you:

• Bring in an accountant or new company secretary
• Apply for finance
• Onboard investors
• End up in a dispute and need to prove who owned what and when

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using Confirmation Statement Examples

Looking at confirmation statement examples can be really helpful - but you still need to apply them properly to your own business.

Here are common issues we see small businesses run into.

Confirming Information That Isn’t True (Because “It’s Easier”)

It’s tempting to think, “We’ll fix it later.” But confirming incorrect information can create bigger issues down the track.

If your public record doesn’t match reality, you can run into problems when entering new contracts - particularly where the other side wants certainty around who they’re dealing with and who has authority to sign. Having clear rules around Signing Authority is a smart move as your company grows.

PSC Records Not Updated After Investment Or Co-Founder Changes

PSC obligations often change when:

• You issue new shares
• You bring in an investor
• A shareholder crosses a control threshold (e.g. 25% or 50%)
• Voting rights change via a shareholders’ agreement or share class changes

Even if your business is friendly and founder-led, it’s worth documenting expectations properly so your filings, cap table, and governance stay consistent.

Share Capital Doesn’t Match Internal Records

This often happens when people:

• Agree to split ownership informally but never issue/transfer shares properly
• Use generic documents that don’t reflect what they actually did
• Make changes without updating the Company Constitution (where required)

If you’re planning to change share structures or bring on investors, it’s worth getting proper legal support so your filings stay clean and future-proof.

Using The Wrong SIC Codes

Wrong SIC codes won’t usually cause immediate penalties, but they can make your company look inconsistent on the public record - and they can cause confusion in due diligence or funding discussions.

It’s a small detail, but it’s part of keeping your company’s compliance profile healthy.

Key Takeaways

• A confirmation statement is an annual (or early) Companies House filing that confirms your company’s key details are accurate and up to date.
• Confirmation statement examples can help you understand what you’re confirming - but you should always tailor details to your actual company records.
• Typical confirmation statement information includes registered office address, directors, PSC details, SIC codes, and share capital/shareholders (where relevant).
• If information has changed, you may be able to update some details as part of the online filing flow, but other changes require you to update the underlying Companies House records first before (or alongside) filing.
• Common mistakes include confirming incorrect details, failing to update PSC information after ownership changes, and having share records that don’t match internal documentation.
• Staying on top of filings is part of building solid legal foundations - it protects your credibility, reduces risk, and makes growth easier.

If you’d like help reviewing your company structure, governance, or filings (especially where shares, PSC rules, or investor changes are involved), you can reach us at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat.