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.

LEI Search Home→vLEI Search

vLEI Credential Search

Search for verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI) credentials. Discover which organizations have adopted digital identity verification. Don't have an LEI code? Use our main LEI search or explore global LEI statistics.

Search for vLEI

Enter an LEI code to check if the entity has verifiable credentials

Important: vLEI data is not yet available through the public GLEIF API. This tool will direct you to the GLEIF website to check vLEI status.

Example: Try 506700GE1G29325QX363 (GLEIF itself) - one of the few entities with vLEI credentials.

About Verifiable LEI (vLEI)

vLEI (Verifiable Legal Entity Identifier) is a digitally verifiable credential that enables legal entities to prove their identity in electronic transactions without relying on centralized verification systems.

vLEI credentials are issued by GLEIF (Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation) and Qualified vLEI Issuers (QVIs) using blockchain technology and W3C Verifiable Credentials standards.

Benefits of vLEI:

Instant digital identity verification
Enhanced security for online transactions
Reduced reliance on paper-based documentation
Streamlined KYC and compliance processes
Interoperable across different platforms and jurisdictions

Note: vLEI adoption is still in early stages. Only a small percentage of LEI records currently have verifiable credentials.

Understanding Verifiable LEI Credentials (vLEI)

Learn how vLEI is revolutionizing digital identity verification for legal entities and why it matters for the future of secure online transactions.

What is a Verifiable LEI?

A Verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI) combines the globally recognized LEI standard with cutting-edge blockchain technology and W3C Verifiable Credentials standards. This creates a digital credential that organizations can use to prove their identity instantly and securely in electronic transactions.

Unlike traditional LEI codes that require manual verification through databases, vLEI credentials can be cryptographically verified in seconds without contacting a central authority. This makes them ideal for digital-first business processes, automated compliance checks, and decentralized applications.

Why Use Our vLEI Search Tool?

Our free vLEI search tool helps you discover which organizations have embraced digital identity verification through verifiable credentials. This is valuable for:

Compliance Teams: Verify if your business partners have adopted advanced digital identity standards for streamlined KYC processes
Technology Innovators: Identify organizations ready for blockchain-based identity verification and smart contracts
Risk Analysts: Assess the digital maturity of entities in your supply chain or investment portfolio
Business Development: Find forward-thinking organizations committed to secure digital transformation

The Future of vLEI Adoption

While vLEI adoption is currently limited, it represents the future of organizational identity in the digital economy. GLEIF is actively working with regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to expand the vLEI ecosystem globally.

As more organizations adopt vLEI credentials, we'll see faster, more secure business onboarding, reduced fraud, and new possibilities for automated compliance and cross-border transactions. Use this tool to track vLEI adoption and stay ahead of the digital identity revolution.