How Much Is a Confirmation Statement? A Quick Guide To Filing Fees

At Towerstone Accountants we provide specialist limited company accountancy services for directors and owner managed businesses across the UK. We created this webpage for people responsible for company filings and statutory records who want clear guidance on Companies House requirements without jargon. Our aim is to help you understand your obligations, avoid filing errors, and stay compliant with Companies House and HMRC.

The confirmation statement is one of those statutory requirements that sounds more complicated than it actually is, yet every year I see directors caught out by it. Some assume it is free, others think it is optional, and many confuse it with annual accounts. The result is missed filings, late penalties, and unnecessary stress.

In this article I will explain exactly how much a confirmation statement costs in the UK, what that fee covers, when it is payable, and what happens if you do not file on time. I will also walk through what a confirmation statement actually is, who needs to file one, how often it must be done, and the common mistakes I see limited company directors make. By the end, you should know precisely what to budget for and how to stay compliant with minimal effort.

What a confirmation statement actually is

A confirmation statement is a statutory filing that every UK limited company must submit to Companies House.

Its purpose is simple. It confirms that the information held on the public register about your company is accurate and up to date, or updates it where changes have occurred.

The confirmation statement replaced the old annual return, but the principle is broadly the same.

It covers details such as:

• Registered office address

• Directors and company officers

• Shareholders and share capital

• Persons with significant control

• SIC codes describing business activity

It does not replace annual accounts and it does not contain financial performance figures.

How much does a confirmation statement cost

The cost of a confirmation statement is fixed and set by Companies House.

The current fee is:

• £13 if filed online

• £40 if filed on paper

For most companies, the online filing fee of £13 is the standard cost.

This fee is payable once per confirmation statement period, regardless of how many updates you make during that period.

Is the confirmation statement fee annual

This is one of the most common points of confusion.

The confirmation statement must be filed at least once every 12 months, but the fee is not strictly an annual subscription.

Instead:

• You pay the fee the first time you file in a confirmation period

• Any additional confirmation statements filed in the same period are free

A confirmation period is 12 months long and runs from either:

• The date of incorporation, or

• The date of your last confirmation statement

You can file earlier than the deadline if you want, but you only pay once per period.

What the confirmation statement fee actually covers

The £13 fee is a filing fee, not a review or approval fee.

Companies House does not check whether your information is correct in substance. It simply records what you submit and updates the public register.

The fee covers:

• Processing the filing

• Updating the register

• Maintaining public access to company information

Accuracy remains the responsibility of the directors.

Do dormant companies still have to pay

Yes, dormant companies must still file a confirmation statement and pay the fee.

Even if a company:

• Has never traded

• Has no income or expenses

• Is fully dormant

It still exists legally and must comply with Companies House requirements.

Dormant status affects accounts, not the confirmation statement obligation.

What happens if company details have not changed

Even if nothing has changed, you must still file a confirmation statement.

In that case, you simply confirm that:

• The information on the register is correct as at the confirmation date

You still pay the £13 fee if it is the first filing in the period.

Doing nothing is not an option, even if the company has been completely static.

What happens if you miss the confirmation statement deadline

There is no late filing penalty in the same way there is for annual accounts, but that does not mean the consequences are minor.

If you do not file a confirmation statement:

• Companies House can mark the company as non compliant

• Warning notices will be issued

• The company can be struck off the register

Strike off action is the real risk here.

Once a company is struck off:

• It legally ceases to exist

• Bank accounts can be frozen

• Assets can pass to the Crown

All of this can happen simply because a £13 filing was missed.

How often you need to file a confirmation statement

You must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months.

You can file more frequently if you want, for example after making changes to:

• Directors

• Shareholders

• PSC information

• Registered office

Only the first filing in each confirmation period triggers the fee.

Is the confirmation statement the same as annual accounts

No, and this is a very common misunderstanding.

Annual accounts:

• Show financial performance and position

• Are filed annually

• Have separate deadlines and penalties

The confirmation statement:

• Confirms company details

• Has no financial figures

• Has its own filing cycle and fee

You must file both. Filing one does not replace the other.

Who is responsible for filing the confirmation statement

The legal responsibility sits with the directors.

Even if:

• An accountant prepares it

• A company secretary submits it

• Software automates the process

The directors remain responsible for accuracy and timeliness.

This is why it is important to understand what you are approving, even if someone else handles the admin.

Can an accountant file it for you

Yes, many accountants and company secretaries file confirmation statements on behalf of clients.

In that case:

• The £13 Companies House fee still applies

• The accountant may charge an additional service fee

It is worth checking whether this is included in your annual accounting package or charged separately.

Common mistakes directors make with confirmation statements

Over the years, I see the same issues repeatedly.

Assuming it is free

Some directors assume there is no cost and are surprised by reminders asking for payment.

Forgetting dormant companies

Dormant companies are often forgotten and left to accumulate strike off warnings.

Confusing it with accounts

Missing a confirmation statement because accounts were filed is very common.

Ignoring reminder emails

Companies House sends reminders, but relying on emails alone is risky if addresses change or messages go to spam.

Can you file a confirmation statement early

Yes, you can file a confirmation statement at any point during the 12 month period.

Doing so:

• Resets the confirmation period

• Starts a new 12 month cycle

• Triggers the fee if it is the first filing

Some directors choose to align confirmation statements with accounts or other admin tasks to keep things simple.

What information you need to file a confirmation statement

Filing is usually straightforward, provided your records are up to date.

You will need to confirm or update:

• Company registered office

• Director details

• Shareholder information

• PSC details

• SIC codes

If changes have occurred, they should ideally already have been notified to Companies House before the confirmation statement is filed.

What happens if the information is wrong

Filing incorrect information can have serious consequences.

Potential issues include:

• Fines for inaccurate filings

• Criminal offences in serious cases

• Problems with banks or lenders

• Issues with future transactions

The confirmation statement is a legal declaration. It should not be treated as a box ticking exercise.

Confirmation statements for LLPs

Limited liability partnerships also have to file confirmation statements.

The fee structure is the same:

• £13 online

• £40 on paper

The information covered is similar, adjusted for LLP members rather than shareholders.

How the confirmation statement fits into wider compliance

The confirmation statement is part of a wider compliance picture that includes:

• Annual accounts

• Corporation Tax returns

• VAT returns where applicable

• PAYE filings if the company has staff

Missing small filings often points to wider compliance issues, which can attract attention from regulators.

How I advise clients on confirmation statements

When advising clients, I encourage them to treat the confirmation statement as a fixed annual admin cost and deadline.

It is one of the cheapest compliance obligations a company has, but ignoring it carries disproportionate risk.

I also recommend:

• Setting calendar reminders

• Keeping company details updated throughout the year

• Reviewing the public register periodically

A few minutes of admin can prevent months of stress.

Final thoughts

So, how much is a confirmation statement. For most companies, it is £13 per year when filed online. It is one of the smallest costs associated with running a limited company, but it is also one of the most important.

The confirmation statement is not optional, it applies even to dormant companies, and failing to file it can ultimately lead to strike off. In my experience, problems arise not because the fee is high, but because the requirement is underestimated.

If you treat the confirmation statement as a routine annual task and budget the small fee, it should never cause issues. Like many areas of company compliance, it is simple when handled properly and surprisingly disruptive when ignored.

You may also find our guidance on how to file a confirmation statement and what happens if i forget to file my confirmation statement helpful when dealing with related Companies House tasks. For a broader overview of filings, registers, and statutory duties, you can visit our companies house hub.