What is an LEI and why do I need one?

A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique 20-character code used to identify legal entities participating in financial transactions. It's required under regulations like MiFID II, EMIR, and SFTR. If your business trades securities, derivatives, or interacts with financial institutions, you will likely need an active LEI.

How do I search for an LEI?

Use the search bar above. Enter either the company name or the LEI code. The tool returns the official record, including LEI status (active, lapsed), next renewal date, legal name and registration details, parent entity information (where available), and a direct link to the official GLEIF record. Results are pulled from the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) database.

How do I check if an LEI is active or expired?

Search the entity or LEI code. The result will show the current registration status: Issued/Active – valid and up to date; Lapsed – renewal overdue; Retired/Merged – no longer in use. You'll also see the next renewal date, which indicates when the LEI must be renewed to remain active.

Can I find a company using just its name?

Yes. Enter the legal entity name into the search. The tool will return matching entities along with their LEI codes. If the name is common, use filters like country or check the company number to confirm the correct match.

Where does the data come from?

All results are sourced from the GLEIF Global LEI Index, the official global database for LEIs. The data is updated regularly to reflect changes in status, ownership, and registration details.

What information is included in an LEI record?

A standard LEI record includes: legal entity name, registered address, country of formation, registration authority and company number, LEI issuance and renewal dates, status (active, lapsed, etc.), and parent company relationships (Level 2 data, if reported).

How often should an LEI be renewed?

LEIs must be renewed annually. If not renewed, the status becomes lapsed, which can prevent transactions or regulatory reporting.

What is LEI Level 2 data?

Level 2 data shows who owns whom. It identifies the direct and ultimate parent entities of a company. Not all LEIs include this information, as it depends on whether the entity has reported it.

Is this an official LEI database?

This tool is not the issuing authority, but it connects directly to the official GLEIF dataset. Every result includes a link to the original GLEIF record for verification.

Can I register or renew an LEI here?

LEI Search is a lookup tool. To register or renew an LEI, you can proceed through LEI Worldwide, an official GLEIF Registration Agent. The process typically takes a few minutes.

Why can't I find an LEI for a company?

Possible reasons: the company has never registered for an LEI, the name entered doesn't match the legal name, or the entity is not required to have an LEI. Try searching with the exact registered name or company number.

Is the tool free to use?

Yes. LEI Search is free and available without login. It's designed to give quick access to verified LEI data without friction.

How accurate is the data?

The data reflects the latest available records from GLEIF. However, updates depend on when entities renew or update their information. Always refer to the official GLEIF link provided for final verification.

Can I integrate this search into my own platform?

Yes. An API is available for financial institutions and platforms that want to embed LEI search and application functionality directly into their systems.

What is an LEI and why do I need one?

A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique 20-character code used to identify legal entities participating in financial transactions. It's required under regulations like MiFID II, EMIR, and SFTR. If your business trades securities, derivatives, or interacts with financial institutions, you will likely need an active LEI.

How do I search for an LEI?

Use the search bar above. Enter either the company name or the LEI code. The tool returns the official record, including LEI status (active, lapsed), next renewal date, legal name and registration details, parent entity information (where available), and a direct link to the official GLEIF record. Results are pulled from the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) database.

How do I check if an LEI is active or expired?

Search the entity or LEI code. The result will show the current registration status: Issued/Active – valid and up to date; Lapsed – renewal overdue; Retired/Merged – no longer in use. You'll also see the next renewal date, which indicates when the LEI must be renewed to remain active.

Can I find a company using just its name?

Yes. Enter the legal entity name into the search. The tool will return matching entities along with their LEI codes. If the name is common, use filters like country or check the company number to confirm the correct match.

Where does the data come from?

All results are sourced from the GLEIF Global LEI Index, the official global database for LEIs. The data is updated regularly to reflect changes in status, ownership, and registration details.

What information is included in an LEI record?

A standard LEI record includes: legal entity name, registered address, country of formation, registration authority and company number, LEI issuance and renewal dates, status (active, lapsed, etc.), and parent company relationships (Level 2 data, if reported).

How often should an LEI be renewed?

LEIs must be renewed annually. If not renewed, the status becomes lapsed, which can prevent transactions or regulatory reporting.

What is LEI Level 2 data?

Level 2 data shows who owns whom. It identifies the direct and ultimate parent entities of a company. Not all LEIs include this information, as it depends on whether the entity has reported it.

Is this an official LEI database?

This tool is not the issuing authority, but it connects directly to the official GLEIF dataset. Every result includes a link to the original GLEIF record for verification.

Can I register or renew an LEI here?

LEI Search is a lookup tool. To register or renew an LEI, you can proceed through LEI Worldwide, an official GLEIF Registration Agent. The process typically takes a few minutes.

Why can't I find an LEI for a company?

Possible reasons: the company has never registered for an LEI, the name entered doesn't match the legal name, or the entity is not required to have an LEI. Try searching with the exact registered name or company number.

Is the tool free to use?

Yes. LEI Search is free and available without login. It's designed to give quick access to verified LEI data without friction.

How accurate is the data?

The data reflects the latest available records from GLEIF. However, updates depend on when entities renew or update their information. Always refer to the official GLEIF link provided for final verification.

Can I integrate this search into my own platform?

Yes. An API is available for financial institutions and platforms that want to embed LEI search and application functionality directly into their systems.

Companies House Integration: UK Company Data Meets LEI Search

Bringing UK Company Data to LEI Search

We're excited to announce our integration with Companies House, the UK's official company registry. This powerful addition allows you to access comprehensive UK company information alongside LEI data in a single unified search experience.

What is Companies House?

Companies House is the UK government agency responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies, registering company information, and making that information available to the public. It maintains records for over 5 million companies registered in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Enhanced Search Capabilities

Our Companies House integration provides:

Company Registration Details: Access company numbers, registration dates, and incorporation information
Registered Address: View official registered office addresses for UK entities
Company Status: Check if a company is active, dissolved, or in administration
Company Type: Identify whether an entity is a private limited company, PLC, LLP, or other structure
Cross-Reference with LEI: Match Companies House records with LEI codes for complete entity profiles

Why This Integration Matters

Combining Companies House data with LEI information provides significant benefits:

Comprehensive Due Diligence: Access both UK regulatory data and global LEI information in one place
Verification: Cross-check entity details between multiple authoritative sources
Compliance Efficiency: Streamline KYC/AML processes with unified data access
Risk Assessment: Evaluate company status and history alongside financial market participation
Time Savings: No need to search multiple databases separately

How It Works

Our integration connects directly to the Companies House API:

Enter a UK company name or registration number in our search tool
Receive results from both GLEIF's LEI database and Companies House
View unified results showing LEI codes alongside Companies House data
Access detailed company profiles with information from both sources
Export combined data for your records and reporting

Use Cases for UK Businesses

This integration is particularly valuable for:

Financial Institutions: Verify UK counterparties for lending and trading activities
Compliance Teams: Perform enhanced due diligence on UK entities
Corporate Services: Research company structures and registration details
Investment Analysts: Assess UK companies before investment decisions
Legal Professionals: Verify corporate details for contracts and transactions

Data Accuracy and Updates

Our system queries the official Companies House API in real-time, ensuring you always receive the most current information available. Companies House data is updated regularly as companies file annual returns, change registered offices, or update their officer information.

Future Enhancements

We're continuously improving our Companies House integration. Upcoming features include:

Filing history and document access
Officer and shareholder information
Charges and mortgage details
Automated monitoring for company status changes
Bulk search capabilities for multiple UK entities