How to Look Up and Verify an LEI
One of the most useful features of the LEI system is that it's completely open. Anyone can look up any LEI and confirm exactly who an entity is — no account and no special permission needed.
Where to search
Every LEI ever issued is held in GLEIF's Global LEI Index, a single public database that GLEIF updates daily. You can search it directly, and many issuers and agents (including TrustedLEI) offer their own search built on the same data.
You can search two ways:
- by LEI code, if you already have the 20-character string;
- by entity name, if you're trying to find a company's LEI.
What you'll see
- the official legal name and registered address (the "Level 1" data);
- the country of formation and legal form;
- parent-company relationships, where disclosed (the "Level 2" data);
- the LEI's status and its next renewal date.
Reading the status
An LEI marked Issued (active) is current and renewed. One marked Lapsed has missed its annual renewal — the entity still exists, but its data may be out of date, and a lapsed LEI can be rejected by trading systems. (See What happens when an LEI lapses?)
Looking up an LEI is a fast due-diligence check before trading with a counterparty.
See also What is an LEI code? and What is GLEIF?