Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) Registration & Lookup Hub
The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character global alphanumeric identifier based on the ISO 17442 standard, governed by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF).
Independent LEI Reference Portal
Securing a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is mandatory for legal entities engaging in global financial markets, trading derivatives, and complying with MiFID II and SFTR regulations. This independent reference center provides fast access to ISO structure rules, format verification tools, and direct search instructions for the official GLEIF Golden Copy registry.
LEI Intent Guides & Lookup Tools
- What is an LEI? — Complete anatomical breakdown of the 20-character ISO 17442 code.
- How to Get an LEI — Step-by-step registration process via accredited Local Operating Units (LOUs).
- LEI Database Lookup — Search instructions and links to query the official GLEIF Golden Copy database.
- LEI vs DUNS vs EIN — Detailed comparison of financial, credit, and tax identifiers.
- Pillar Guide: LEI Compliance — In-depth international regulatory compliance rules.
- LEI Checksum Validator Tool — Instantly check and validate an LEI code using the ISO 7064 Mod 97-10 algorithm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)? ▾
An LEI is a 20-digit alphanumeric code governed by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) under ISO 17442 standards. It uniquely identifies corporate entities participating in financial transactions worldwide.
How do I obtain or apply for an LEI? ▾
To obtain an LEI, you submit corporate registration documents (such as state SOS filings) to a GLEIF-accredited Local Operating Unit (LOU) or official registration agent, pay the annual fee, and receive your 20-character code upon verification.
How do I look up an LEI in the official database? ▾
You can search active LEI records by legal business name or 20-digit code directly in the GLEIF Golden Copy database at gleif.org or use our in-browser ISO checksum validator.