What Is Confirmation Statement (CS01)?

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Key definition

A Confirmation Statement (CS01) is a mandatory annual filing that UK companies submit to Companies House to confirm that their registered information is accurate and up to date.

It is not a financial report. Instead, it is a formal declaration that the company’s key statutory details on the public register are correct as of a specific “confirmation date.”

Confirmation statement (CS01) meaning

The confirmation statement’s meaning centres on legal accuracy and ongoing compliance. To define a confirmation statement (CS01) in practice, it confirms core company information, including:

  • Directors and company secretary details
  • Registered office address
  • Shareholders and share capital
  • Statement of capital
  • PSC (Persons with Significant Control) information
  • SIC codes (nature of business activities)

A clear confirmation statement definition ensures the public record reflects the company’s current structure. Unlike annual accounts, the CS01 does not report financial performance. It is purely about verifying corporate data.

What the confirmation statement does (and doesn’t do)

What it does

  • Confirms that the information already filed is correct
  • Updates certain details if they have changed (where required)
  • Provides an annual checkpoint for corporate transparency

What it doesn’t do

  • Report revenue, profit or losses
  • Replace the need to file annual accounts
  • Automatically update changes that should have been filed separately

If directors were appointed, shares allotted, or PSC details changed during the year, those events usually require separate filings at the time they occur. The confirmation statement simply confirms the overall accuracy of the register.

When must a CS01 be filed?

Every UK company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. The filing window is tied to the company’s “confirmation date,” which is typically the anniversary of incorporation or the anniversary of the previous confirmation statement.

Companies have a limited period (usually 14 days) after the confirmation date to file the CS01.

Missing this deadline can trigger:

  • Late filing warnings
  • Potential fines
  • Escalating enforcement action
  • Risk of the company being struck off the register

Why the confirmation statement matters in fundraising

Investors frequently review Companies House records during due diligence. An up-to-date confirmation statement signals:

  • Governance discipline
  • Accurate share capital reporting
  • Transparency around control and ownership
  • Clean compliance history

If a confirmation statement is overdue, it can raise red flags about broader administrative practices.

For startups raising SEIS/EIS investment or preparing for institutional rounds, maintaining clean Companies House records, including timely CS01 filings, is part of being “investor ready.”

Practical best practices

  • Track your confirmation date in advance
  • Review shareholder and PSC details before filing
  • Ensure share allotments and director changes were filed properly during the year
  • Align the cap table with the statement of capital

The confirmation statement may seem administrative, but it underpins corporate credibility. It ensures that the public register accurately reflects who owns and controls the company.

How UndoCapital supports CS01 filings

Undo Capital helps founders prepare and file Confirmation Statements (CS01) by ensuring cap table data, shareholder records and PSC information are accurate and aligned with Companies House requirements. This includes reviewing changes across the year, reconciling filings with equity activity, and maintaining a clean compliance record, so companies stay in good standing and avoid issues during investor due diligence.

FAQs

1

What is a Confirmation Statement (CS01)?

A Confirmation Statement (CS01) is an annual filing submitted to Companies House confirming that company information, such as shareholders and directors, is accurate and up to date.

2

Why is the CS01 required?

It ensures that public company records remain current and compliant with legal requirements.

3

What information is included in a CS01?

It includes details about share capital, shareholders, SIC codes, and registered office address.

4

When must a CS01 be filed?

It must be submitted at least once every 12 months.

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