LEI lookup: how to check a company's LEI number
By the Vanguard Verify desk · Published 2026-10-24 · Updated 2026-10-24
Short answer: search the 20-character LEI or the company name on GLEIF's free LEI Search. Check that the legal name, registered address and business-register number match the documents you were sent, that the registration status is ISSUED (not LAPSED), and that the entity status is ACTIVE.
The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is an ISO 17442 code that identifies a legal entity worldwide. GLEIF, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation, publishes the full LEI dataset free of charge. Banks often need an LEI for trade finance and securities activity, so many genuine trading companies have one. Having an LEI does not prove a company is a good counterparty, but a mismatch is a strong reason to stop and ask questions.
Step by step
- Get the LEI in writing. Ask for it on company letterhead or in the signed ICPO/FCO. See how to verify an ICPO.
- Search GLEIF. Use GLEIF's LEI Search on gleif.org. Search by the LEI first, then by company name to see if there are look-alike entities.
- Compare the legal name exactly. Trading names, abbreviations and "FZE / FZCO / LLC / Ltd" suffixes matter.
- Compare the addresses. The legal address and headquarters address should be consistent with the offer documents.
- Read the registration authority and number. The record shows which business register the LOU checked. Look the company up in that official register as well. See is this company real? how to check.
- Check the status fields. Entity status, registration status and the next renewal date.
- Look at ownership (Level 2 data). Where reported, GLEIF shows direct and ultimate parents. A "subsidiary of a global major" claim should appear here or in the parent's own disclosures.
What the fields mean
| Field | Good sign | Ask questions if |
|---|---|---|
| Registration status | ISSUED | LAPSED (not renewed), RETIRED, ANNULLED, MERGED |
| Entity status | ACTIVE | INACTIVE |
| Validation level | Fully corroborated against a register | Entity-supplied only |
| Legal name | Identical to contract and bank details | Different spelling or suffix |
| Parent relationships | Consistent with what you were told | Claimed parent not shown and no reason given |
A LAPSED LEI usually only means the annual renewal was not paid. It is not proof of wrongdoing, but you should ask why.
Red flags
- The LEI belongs to a different company than the one named on the invoice or bank account.
- The LEI is not 20 characters, or GLEIF returns no record.
- The company claims to be a big refinery or producer but the LEI shows a recently created shell in another country.
- The beneficiary bank account is held by a name that does not match the LEI record.
- You are asked to pay a fee to "activate" or "verify" an LEI. LEI data lookup on GLEIF is free.
An LEI check is one part of counterparty verification, not the whole of it.
Check a company now with Vanguard Verify — first check free.
Type the company name. We show its public registry record (Global LEI Index), free.
Public registry data. By searching you accept our Terms.
FAQ
Is LEI lookup free?
Yes. GLEIF publishes LEI data as open data and its LEI Search can be used free of charge.
What does LAPSED mean on an LEI?
It means the LEI was not renewed on time, so the reference data has not been recently confirmed. It is not by itself evidence of fraud.
Does an LEI prove a company is legitimate?
No. It confirms identity data checked by an LEI issuer. You still need to check the business register, bank details, trade history and documents.
How long is an LEI?
An LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric code defined by ISO 17442.
Vanguard Verify is run by Vanguard Trade Capital Goods Wholesalers DWC-LLC, Dubai South, Licence 14282. This answer is general information, not legal or financial advice.