What is a UK Confirmation Statement (CS01) and Who Must File It?
An exhaustive compliance masterclass for overseas directors on Companies House Form CS01, annual review dates, corporate governance updates, and avoiding compulsory company strike-off in 2026.
Key corporate governance compliance rules under UK Companies Act Section 853A:
Every registered UK Limited Company must file Form CS01 with Companies House once every 12 months.
The statement must be submitted within 14 days after your company's annual review period ends.
Registered Office, Officers' Service Addresses, Share Capital, Shareholders, PSC register, and 5-digit SIC code.
Failure to file causes Companies House to initiate dissolution proceedings, which legally freezes company bank accounts.
Table of Contents
- 1. What is a UK Confirmation Statement (Form CS01)?
- 2. Confirmation Statement vs Annual Tax Accounts
- 3. What Information Must Be Verified on Form CS01?
- 4. Comprehensive CS01 Filing & Compliance Matrix
- 5. Annual Filing Deadlines & Review Period Calculation
- 6. 6 Critical Mistakes Leading to Compulsory Strike-Off
- 7. Consequences of Late Filing: Dissolution & Frozen Accounts
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a UK Confirmation Statement (Form CS01)?
Under Section 853A of the UK Companies Act 2006, every UK company must deliver a Confirmation Statement (Form CS01) to Companies House at least once in every 12-month period.
The purpose of the Confirmation Statement is to verify that all non-financial statutory company records held on the public Companies House register are accurate and up to date.
Real-World Founder Scenario: Annual CS01 Verification
Consider Nabeel, a software agency founder in Pakistan. One year after forming "Innovate Tech LTD", Nabeel received an automated compliance notification from ADVAQ. ADVAQ reviewed his shareholder ledger, confirmed his London registered office address, and filed Form CS01 with Companies House online within 2 hours, paying the official £34 fee.
2. Confirmation Statement vs Annual Tax Accounts
Many first-time overseas directors confuse the Confirmation Statement with annual financial accounts. They serve entirely distinct legal functions:
Confirmation Statement (CS01)
Corporate Governance: Confirms directors, shareholders, registered office address, PSC details, and SIC code. Submitted to Companies House. Contains NO financial figures.
Annual Tax Accounts & CT600
Financial & Tax Reporting: Reports profit/loss, balance sheet, and Corporation Tax liabilities. Submitted to HMRC and Companies House.
3. What Information Must Be Verified on Form CS01?
When submitting Form CS01, you must review and confirm six core corporate metrics:
Registered Office Address & Service Address
Confirms physical London or UK office location and officers' public correspondence addresses.
People with Significant Control (PSC) Register
Confirms beneficial owners holding > 25% of company shares or voting rights.
Statement of Capital & Shareholder Ledger
Confirms total number, class, nominal value of issued shares, and current list of shareholders.
4. Comprehensive CS01 Filing & Compliance Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of annual corporate filing obligations:
| Filing Obligation | Statutory Deadline | Receiving Authority | Official Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Statement (CS01) | 14 Days Post Review Date | Companies House | £34 Online Fee |
| Statutory Annual Accounts | 9 Months Post Year-End | Companies House & HMRC | £0 (Free) |
| CT600 Corporation Tax Return | 12 Months Post Year-End | HMRC Only | £0 (Free) |
ANNUAL COMPLIANCE FILING SERVICE
File Your UK Confirmation Statement (CS01)
ADVAQ prepares and files your annual Companies House Confirmation Statement on time, paying the official £34 filing fee and guaranteeing zero compliance notices.
5. Annual Filing Deadlines & Review Period Calculation
Your company's annual review period starts on the day of incorporation and ends exactly 12 months later.
You have a strict 14-day statutory grace period from the end of the review period to submit Form CS01 to Companies House.
6. 6 Critical Mistakes Leading to Compulsory Strike-Off
Avoid these six common CS01 filing errors:
1. Confusing Form CS01 with HMRC Tax Accounts
Filing financial accounts with HMRC does NOT fulfill your statutory Companies House CS01 obligation.
2. Assuming Dormant Companies Are Exempt
Every UK Limited Company—whether trading or dormant—must submit Form CS01 annually without exception.
7. Consequences of Late Filing: Dissolution & Frozen Accounts
Ignoring Confirmation Statement deadlines carries severe legal penalties under UK corporate law:
Compulsory Strike-Off Notice (Gazette Publication)
If a CS01 is overdue by more than 30 days, Companies House publishes a First Gazette Notice in the London Gazette to dissolve the company.
Frozen Business Bank Accounts (Bona Vacantia)
Once dissolved, all corporate bank accounts (Wise, Revolut, Payoneer) are frozen and company assets pass to the Crown (Bona Vacantia).
Frequently Asked Questions
COMPANIES HOUSE STATUTORY FILING
File Your Confirmation Statement (CS01) with ADVAQ
Includes Companies House £34 fee, PSC register update, and guaranteed compliance for non-resident directors.