You filed your confirmation statement on time. Then you spotted the error. A director's name is misspelled. A service address is wrong. The SIC code doesn't match your actual trade.
Don't panic. Companies House allows you to correct errors on a previously filed confirmation statement. But the process depends on what type of error it is and how far back it goes.
As ICAEW qualified accountants, we handle these corrections regularly for clients across Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham. The process is straightforward once you understand the rules. Here is exactly how to correct confirmation statement error scenarios, step by step.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement (form CS01) is a snapshot of your company's register at a specific date. It confirms that the information Companies House holds about your directors, shareholders, registered office, and SIC code is correct. You must file one every 12 months, even if nothing has changed.
It is not the same as your annual accounts. The confirmation statement is about people and addresses, not financial figures. Filing it late triggers an automatic £150 late filing penalty from Companies House, rising to £1,500 if you are more than 6 months overdue.
If you filed an incorrect confirmation statement, you need to act. The correction process differs depending on whether the error is minor or fundamental.
Minor Errors: The Simple Correction Route
If the mistake is administrative, you can often correct it without filing a new confirmation statement. Companies House accepts corrections for minor errors directly.
Minor errors include:
- A director's name misspelled (e.g. "Jonathon" instead of "Jonathan")
- A service address digit wrong (e.g. "12" instead of "21")
- A shareholder's name or address error
- A SIC code that is close but not exact
- A registered office address typo
For these errors, you can write to Companies House with a covering letter explaining the mistake and the correct information. Include the company number, the confirmation statement date, and the exact correction needed.
Alternatively, you can use the RP02 form (Request to correct a document) for certain types of errors. This form is available on the Companies House website. Submit it by post or email to enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk.
Companies House will review the correction. If they accept it, they update the register and send you a confirmation. This process typically takes 5 to 10 working days.
Substantive Errors: When You Must File a New Confirmation Statement
Some errors are too significant for a simple correction. If the mistake changes the substance of what was filed, you must file a new confirmation statement to correct confirmation statement error situations.
Substantive errors include:
- A director was omitted entirely
- A shareholder was omitted or the shareholding was wrong
- The company type or status was incorrect
- A PSC (Person with Significant Control) was missed
- The confirmation statement date itself was wrong
For these errors, you file a new CS01 form online through the Companies House WebFiling service or using third-party software like Xero or FreeAgent. Mark the filing as a "replacement" or "correction" in the notes section. The new statement will supersede the previous one.
You must pay the standard £13 filing fee again. There is no reduced fee for corrections.
If the error is on a confirmation statement filed more than 12 months ago, you may need to file a full update rather than a correction. Companies House will advise on the specific process for historical errors.
The Step-by-Step Correction Process
Step 1: Identify the Exact Error
Pull the original confirmation statement from your records or from Companies House online. Compare it against your current statutory registers. Note every discrepancy, no matter how small.
If you use accounting software like FreeAgent or Xero, check whether your software holds the correct data. Many errors start when the software auto-populates fields from outdated information.
Step 2: Decide Whether It Is Minor or Substantive
Use the lists above to categorise the error. If you are unsure, call Companies House on 0303 1234 500. Their customer service team can advise on the correct route.
Our rule of thumb: if the error would affect a third party's understanding of who runs or owns the company, it is substantive. File a new CS01.
Step 3: Gather Supporting Evidence
For minor corrections, Companies House may ask for evidence. A copy of the director's passport or driving licence showing the correct name. A utility bill or bank statement confirming the correct address.
For substantive errors, you need the correct data from your statutory registers. If you are correcting a director omission, ensure you have the director's consent to act (form AP01 was originally filed, or you file it now).
Step 4: Submit the Correction
Minor errors: write to Companies House or use form RP02. Include the company number, the confirmation statement date, and the correction. Send by post to Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ, or email.
Substantive errors: file a new CS01 online. Use WebFiling at companieshouse.gov.uk or your accounting software. Select "Confirmation statement" then "Replace previous confirmation statement" if that option appears. Otherwise, file a standard CS01 and add a note in the "Additional information" box explaining it is a correction.
Step 5: Confirm the Correction
After submitting, check the Companies House register online after 5 to 10 working days. The corrected information should appear. If it does not, follow up with Companies House directly.
Keep a copy of the correction correspondence or the new confirmation statement in your company records. Your statutory registers must match what is filed at Companies House.
What About Errors on Older Confirmation Statements?
If you discover an error on a confirmation statement filed more than 12 months ago, the process is slightly different. Companies House may treat it as a historical correction rather than a simple update.
For historical errors, write to Companies House explaining the error and the correct information. Include evidence. They will assess whether the correction can be made or whether you need to file a new statement for the current year that corrects the record going forward.
In practice, if the error is minor and historical, most clients find it easier to simply ensure the next confirmation statement is correct. The register updates forward from that point. But if the error is substantive, you should correct it regardless of how old it is. An incorrect director record can cause problems with banks, insurers, and HMRC.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We see the same errors repeatedly when clients try to correct confirmation statement error situations themselves.
Mistake 1: Filing a new confirmation statement for a minor error. This wastes time and money. Use the simple correction route for typos and minor address errors.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the error entirely. An incorrect confirmation statement can cause issues if you later apply for a loan, sell the company, or need to prove director identity. Fix it promptly.
Mistake 3: Correcting the statutory registers but not Companies House. Your internal records must match the public register. If you update your own records but not Companies House, the error persists on the public record.
Mistake 4: Assuming the correction is automatic. Companies House does not automatically correct errors. You must actively submit the correction or new statement.
How We Help
As ICAEW qualified accountants based in Manchester, we handle confirmation statement corrections for businesses across the UK. We review your filed statements against your statutory registers, identify discrepancies, and manage the correction process with Companies House.
If you use accounting software like Xero or FreeAgent, we can often spot potential errors before you file. That is the best time to catch mistakes, before they reach the register.
For a full breakdown of what goes into a confirmation statement and how to avoid common errors, read our guide on bookkeeping and compliance.
If your confirmation statement error is complex, or if you are unsure which route to take, contact our team. We will review the situation and tell you exactly what to file.
Final Checklist for Correcting a Confirmation Statement Error
- Identify the exact error and whether it is minor or substantive
- For minor errors: write to Companies House or use form RP02
- For substantive errors: file a new CS01 online
- Include supporting evidence where needed
- Check the public register after 5-10 working days
- Update your statutory registers to match
- File your next confirmation statement on time to avoid penalties
Correcting a confirmation statement error is not difficult. But doing it the wrong way can cause delays and frustration. Follow the steps above, and you will have the record corrected within two weeks.