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.

DORA Register of Information: Track ICT Provider LEIs for Compliance

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) came into force on 17 January 2025. Are you ready?

What is DORA and Why Does It Matter?

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) represents a landmark shift in how the European Union approaches digital risk management in the financial sector. This regulation establishes a comprehensive framework requiring financial entities to ensure they can withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of ICT-related disruptions and threats.

DORA applies to virtually all regulated financial entities in the EU, including:

Credit institutions and payment service providers
Investment firms and trading venues
Insurance and reinsurance undertakings
Asset managers (UCITS and AIFMs)
Crypto-asset service providers
Crowdfunding service providers

The Register of Information (ROI) Requirement

One of DORA's most significant operational requirements is the Register of Information (ROI). Financial entities must maintain and submit a comprehensive register documenting all their ICT third-party service providers and contractual arrangements.

Key ROI Requirements

ICT Provider Identification: All third-party ICT providers must be identified using their Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)
Contract Details: Nature of services, criticality assessment, and contractual terms
Risk Assessment: Concentration risk and substitutability analysis
Annual Submission: ROI must be submitted to competent authorities annually

Why LEIs Are Critical for DORA Compliance

The LEI serves as the universal identifier for ICT providers in your Register of Information. DORA mandates the use of LEIs because they provide:

Unambiguous Identification: Each LEI uniquely identifies one legal entity globally
Standardization: Enables regulators to aggregate and analyze data across the EU financial system
Relationship Mapping: LEI Level 2 data reveals corporate hierarchies and ultimate parent entities
Validation: LEI status (active/lapsed) indicates whether provider information is current

The LEI Status Challenge

Here's where many firms encounter difficulties: LEIs must be renewed annually. An ICT provider may have had an active LEI when you onboarded them, but if they haven't renewed it, you're submitting outdated information to regulators.

Common issues include:

ICT providers allowing their LEI to lapse without notification
Corporate restructuring invalidating the original LEI
Providers using subsidiary LEIs instead of ultimate parent entities
New providers not yet having obtained an LEI

🛠️ Track Your ICT Providers with Our Compliance Tool

Our Supply Chain Compliance Tracker helps you monitor LEI status for all your ICT providers. Get a compliance score showing what percentage of providers have active LEIs—ensuring your ROI submission is accurate.

Try Compliance Tracker →

Using the Compliance Tracker for ROI Preparation

Our Supply Chain Compliance Tracker tool is specifically designed to help financial entities manage and monitor their ICT provider LEIs for DORA compliance.

Step 1: Upload Your ICT Provider List

Start by adding all your ICT third-party service providers to the Compliance Tracker:

Enter LEI codes manually or use bulk upload
The system automatically validates each LEI against the GLEIF database
Invalid or unrecognized LEIs are flagged immediately

Step 2: Monitor LEI Status in Real-Time

The Compliance Tracker continuously monitors the status of each LEI in your portfolio:

✓ ACTIVE: LEI is current and valid for regulatory use
⚠ PENDING: LEI renewal is in progress
✗ LAPSED: LEI has expired and requires renewal before ROI submission

Step 3: Use the Compliance Score

Your Compliance Score provides an instant health check of your ICT provider portfolio:

90-100%

Ready for ROI Submission

70-89%

Action Required

Below 70%

Critical Issues

Step 4: Take Action on Non-Compliant Providers

For ICT providers with lapsed or missing LEIs, you have several options:

Contact the Provider: Request they renew their LEI before your ROI deadline
Escalate Internally: Flag to procurement/vendor management teams
Document the Gap: If renewal isn't possible, document your due diligence efforts
Consider Alternatives: Evaluate whether providers without valid LEIs should remain in your ecosystem

Step 5: Export for ROI Submission

Once your compliance score reaches 100%, export your verified ICT provider list:

Download in CSV format compatible with regulatory templates
All LEI codes validated and current as of export date
Includes entity names, registration status, and renewal dates
Audit trail maintained for compliance records

Best Practices for DORA LEI Management

✓ Proactive Monitoring

Don't wait until ROI submission deadlines. Set up regular monitoring cycles (monthly or quarterly) to catch LEI lapses early.

✓ Contractual Requirements

Include LEI maintenance obligations in your ICT provider contracts. Require providers to maintain active LEIs and notify you of any changes.

✓ Relationship Data

Use LEI Level 2 relationship data to understand corporate hierarchies. This helps identify concentration risk if multiple ICT providers share the same ultimate parent.

✓ Document Everything

Maintain records of your LEI validation process. Regulators may ask for evidence of your due diligence in verifying ICT provider information.

DORA Timeline: Key Dates

Date	Milestone
17 January 2025	DORA enters into force
Q1 2025	First ROI submissions due to national competent authorities
Annually	Ongoing ROI updates and submissions required

Get Started with LEI Compliance Tracking

Don't let lapsed LEIs jeopardize your DORA compliance. Start using our Supply Chain Compliance Tracker today:

Create a free account to access the Compliance Tracker
Add your ICT providers by entering their LEI codes
Monitor your Compliance Score and take action on any issues
Export your verified data for ROI submission

Ready to Ensure DORA Compliance?

Learn more about our compliance tracking tools and how they can help you meet DORA requirements.

Explore Compliance Tracker →

Need Help with LEI Registration or Renewal?

LEI Worldwide is an official GLEIF LEI Registration Agent. We can help your ICT providers obtain or renew their LEIs quickly.

Visit leiworldwide.com or contact support@lei-worldwide.com