Confirmation Statement Checklist: What to Check Before Filing
Before you file your confirmation statement (CS01) with Companies House, you need to verify that all the information they hold about your company is correct. Getting this wrong can mean filing inaccurate information — which is a criminal offence.
This checklist covers every area you need to review before confirming. Work through it methodically, and you'll be confident that your CS01 is accurate.
Why a Checklist Matters
When you submit a confirmation statement, you're making a legal declaration that all information held by Companies House about your company is correct as of the statement date. If it isn't — and you confirm anyway — you're filing a false statement.
More practically, incorrect information at Companies House can cause problems with banks, suppliers, and HMRC. It's worth taking 10 minutes to check everything properly.
The Complete CS01 Checklist
1. Registered Office Address
Check: Is the address shown at Companies House still your company's registered office?
This is the official address for your company. All statutory mail from Companies House and HMRC is sent here, including important notices about filing deadlines and strike-off warnings.
If it's wrong: File form AD01 (Change of Registered Office Address) with Companies House before submitting your CS01. This is a separate filing and takes effect immediately on acceptance.
Common issues:
- You've moved offices but didn't update Companies House
- You're using an old accountant's address as your registered office
- Your virtual office provider has changed address
2. Directors and Officers
Check: Are all current directors correctly listed? Have any directors left or been appointed since your last confirmation statement?
Review both the names and the details (date of birth, nationality, residential address) of each director. Also check whether a company secretary is listed if you have one.
If changes are needed:
- New director → File form AP01 (Appointment of Director)
- Director resigned or removed → File form TM01 (Termination of Director)
- Details changed (name, address) → File form CH01 (Change of Director's Details)
- A director resigned months ago but the termination was never filed
- A new director was appointed but not registered at Companies House
- A director's residential address has changed
3. SIC Codes
Check: Do your Standard Industrial Classification codes still accurately describe your company's business activities?
Every company has at least one SIC code, and you can have up to four. These codes tell Companies House (and anyone searching the register) what your company does.
If they need changing: SIC codes are one of the few things you can update directly through the CS01 form. You don't need a separate filing.
Common issues:
- Your company started with a generic code (e.g., 70229 — Management consultancy activities) and has since specialised
- You've added new business activities not covered by your current codes
- You're using an outdated code from an old SIC classification
4. Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
Check: Is the PSC register at Companies House correct? A PSC is anyone who:
- Holds more than 25% of the company's shares
- Holds more than 25% of the company's voting rights
- Has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board
- Otherwise exercises significant influence or control
If changes are needed:
- New PSC → File form PSC01
- PSC ceased → File form PSC07
- PSC details changed → File form PSC04
- Shares were transferred but the PSC register wasn't updated
- A PSC's address or nationality has changed
- The company has a corporate PSC (another company) that's not registered
5. Shareholders and Statement of Capital
Check: Is the statement of capital (total number and value of shares) correct? Have any shares been issued, transferred, or cancelled since the last confirmation statement?
For most small companies with a single class of ordinary shares, this is straightforward. If you have multiple share classes or have issued new shares, pay closer attention.
If changes are needed:
- New shares issued → File form SH01 (Return of Allotment)
- Share capital reduced → Various forms depending on method
- Bonus shares were issued but not registered
- A shareholder transferred shares to a family member
- The nominal value of shares was changed
6. Trading Status
Check: Has your company's trading status changed? Companies House records whether a company is active, dormant, or in the process of being closed.
If your company has stopped trading, you should consider whether to file dormant company accounts and potentially apply for voluntary strike-off.
7. Company Type
Check: Is your company type correctly recorded? Most small companies are "Private limited by shares." This rarely changes, but verify it's correct.
8. Register Locations
Check: If you keep your statutory registers at a location other than your registered office (known as a SAIL address — Single Alternative Inspection Location), confirm this is still correct.
Most small companies keep everything at their registered office, so this section may not apply.
Filing Sequence: What to Do First
If you've identified changes during your review, follow this order:
- File all change forms first (AP01, TM01, AD01, PSC forms, SH01, etc.)
- Wait for Companies House to process them (usually 24-48 hours for electronic filings)
- Verify the updates appear on your company's public record
- Then file your confirmation statement (CS01) confirming everything is now correct
Quick Reference Card
| Area | What to Check | Change Form (if needed) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office | Current address correct | AD01 |
| Directors | All listed, none missing | AP01 / TM01 / CH01 |
| SIC codes | Activities still accurate | Update via CS01 |
| PSCs | >25% holders correct | PSC01 / PSC04 / PSC07 |
| Shareholders | Share capital correct | SH01 |
| Company secretary | Listed if applicable | AP03 / TM02 |
| Trading status | Active / dormant correct | — |
Common Questions
How long does it take to file a CS01? If everything is correct and no changes are needed, about 5-10 minutes. Most of that time is reviewing the information.
What if I discover a change after I've already filed? File the relevant change form as soon as possible, then file an additional confirmation statement (no extra fee within the same 12-month period) to confirm the updated information.
Do I need to check all of this every year? Yes. The confirmation statement is your annual opportunity to make sure Companies House has the right information. Skipping the review defeats the purpose — and exposes you to liability for confirming incorrect information.
Can my accountant do this for me? Yes. Many accountants and company secretaries handle the CS01 as part of their annual compliance service. However, as a director, you're ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the information.
Summary
Filing your confirmation statement accurately starts with a thorough review. Check your registered office, directors, SIC codes, PSCs, shareholders, and trading status before you confirm. If anything needs updating, file the change form first and wait for it to be processed. Then submit your CS01 with confidence that everything Companies House holds about your company is correct. See our guide on how to file your confirmation statement online for the next step.