Every company has a birthday, and while there’s no cake or candles, there is something to tick off the list: the confirmation statement.
It’s one of the easiest filings you’ll do all year. But if it’s forgotten, the consequences aren’t quite so fun.
What is a confirmation statement?
It’s a quick annual check-in to confirm that everything Companies House has on file for your company is still accurate.
That includes:
- Who your directors, secretary, and shareholders are
- Where your registered office is
- Your statement of capital (if you have shares)
- Your SIC code (the official number that says what your company does)
- And your register of people with significant control
You’ll usually get a reminder when it’s due, either on your company’s anniversary or a year after your last confirmation statement. You’ve got 14 days to file it, but it’s always better to get it done early.
Think of it as your company’s birthday
You know how people celebrate their birthdays with a nice dinner or a questionable karaoke session? Companies don’t get that luxury, just a confirmation statement to file. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with the theme…
Here are some birthday-related facts we love and you might not know:
- The Office for National Statistics says 26 September is the UK’s most common birthday. Maybe it’s all those Christmas parties nine months earlier… or perhaps couples are timing things for a start-of-school-year arrival.
- At the other end of the scale, the 29th February naturally has the fewest birthdays – appearing only once every four years – and the 1st of April is also rare. Perhaps some parents really don’t want an April Fool’s baby?
- If you’re a fan of One Born Every Minute, here’s a reality check: over the last two decades, a baby has been born every 48 seconds in the UK. And thanks to probability, in any group of just 23 people there’s a 50/50 chance that two share the same birthday. (It’s called the “birthday paradox”.)
- One last bit of trivia: your “golden birthday” is when your age matches the date you were born. So if you were born on the 17th, your 17th birthday is your golden one.
Some slightly weirder birthday traditions…
Apparently, in the early 20th century, it was common to give someone dentures for their 21st birthday. All their teeth pulled and replaced, just to save money on dental bills later in life. Thankfully, not a tradition that’s stuck.
On the brighter side: if your company makes it to 100, you’ll get a certificate from Companies House. No teeth involved.
What’s the point here?
It’s simple: don’t miss your confirmation statement.
It only takes a few minutes to file online, but forgetting it can cause a real headache including potential penalties or even being struck off the register.
At Virtual Company Secretary, we help make sure that never happens. We’ll track your deadlines, file on your behalf, and give you peace of mind that the admin is under control.
So, whether your company is turning 1 or 100, here’s to birthdays, good governance, and never missing a filing.
Need our help? Get in touch today.
📞 0330 128 1586
https://virtualcompanysecretary.com/contact/
