How to file your first confirmation statement

Your first confirmation statement checks that Companies House has the right information about your company. You need to file one even if you haven’t started trading or nothing has changed since incorporation.

For a straightforward founder-owned company, most of the preparation comes down to checking the record, gathering the right codes and dealing with any changes before you submit.

This checklist takes you through your first filing. For the wider rules, read confirmation statements explained.

1. Find your company’s actual deadline

Search your company on the Companies House register and note the confirmation statement date and filing deadline.

The first review period is linked to incorporation, with filing normally required within 14 days after it ends. Use the dates shown for your company instead of calculating from memory or assuming they match your accounts deadline.

Illustrative example: the register shows a confirmation statement date of 10 October 2026 and a filing deadline of 24 October 2026. Your checks concern the information as at 10 October, even if you submit on 15 October.

Set aside time before the deadline to resolve missing codes or incorrect information.

2. Gather your filing details

For direct online filing, you’ll need your company authentication code and access to the filing account. Have accurate shareholder records and the required identity verification details ready too.

The company authentication code and an individual’s personal code are different. Our authentication code guide explains how to obtain the company code. The official confirmation statement filing service lists the access requirements.

3. Check identity verification before you file

All directors must have completed the required identity verification. Provide each director’s personal code and verification confirmation where the filing requires them; do not assume the company authentication code covers this.

If you supplied verification details at incorporation, check what the service already holds rather than starting verification again. Companies House’s CS01 guidance explains that director verification details are required unless already provided.

If you are also a person with significant control, check that role separately. A director’s confirmation statement entry does not by itself complete every PSC requirement. Follow the official PSC verification service and check the deadline that applies to you.

Our identity verification guide explains the process for founders.

4. Compare the register with your records

Work through the official company information checklist, including:

• The registered office, officers and relevant company records address.

• Shareholders, shareholdings and statement of capital.

• People with significant control.

• SIC codes describing the business.

Also check that Companies House has an appropriate registered email address. This is used for company correspondence and is not published on the public register.

For a solo founder, ask simple questions: am I still the only director and shareholder? Are my details right? Does the address still work? Do the SIC codes reflect what the company does now?

Use your own company records as well as the public register. The exercise is to establish that the information is correct, rather than simply agree with whatever is already displayed.

5. Deal with changes through the correct filing

Some information, including SIC codes and certain shareholder or capital information, can be updated with the statement. Changes to the registered office, directors and PSC details use separate processes.

Follow the Companies House preparation guidance and complete the necessary separate updates before confirming the record is accurate.

For example, if your registered office is still your old accountant’s address, deal with the address change first. If your activities have changed, review our guide to choosing and updating SIC codes.

6. Review, pay and submit

Use the official confirmation statement service, or arrange filing through a provider. Check the confirmation date and information carefully, complete the required declarations, including the statement that intended future activities are lawful, and submit.

As checked in October 2026, the Companies House fee is £50 online or £110 on paper. It is paid with the first statement in each separate 12-month payment period. A provider’s service charges may be additional.

7. Check acceptance and save the record

Keep the submission reference and check that Companies House has accepted the statement. A draft, a payment or a submission notification should not be your only evidence that the filing is complete.

Save the accepted filing with your company documents, check the next deadline and set a reminder. If Companies House rejects it, read the reason and deal with it promptly.

This filing does not complete your annual accounts or your company’s HMRC obligations.

File and manage your company with FOUNDRS

FOUNDRS brings company information, documents and reminders together and supports confirmation statement filing with Companies House. If you formed your company elsewhere, you can link an existing company, completing the required identity and director-authority checks.

Manage your company with FOUNDRS.