How to Get an LEI Code: Step-by-Step Guide

Obtaining a Legal Entity Identifier usually involves checking that the organisation does not already have one, choosing an appropriate LEI provider, submitting accurate company information and allowing that information to be validated against authoritative sources.

The application itself is generally straightforward for a company whose information is available in a public business register. Applications involving complex ownership structures, non-public records or representatives acting on behalf of another organisation may require additional documents.

This guide explains the complete process.

How to get an LEI code: quick overview

The usual application process is:

1. Confirm that the organisation needs or wants an LEI.
2. Search the Global LEI Index for an existing record.
3. Identify the exact legal entity that requires the LEI.
4. Choose an LEI issuer or associated registration service.
5. Provide the entity and ownership information requested.
6. Submit any required supporting documents and pay the fee.
7. Allow the information to be validated.
8. Check the published LEI record and note its renewal date.

An LEI should be assigned only once to a legal entity. If the organisation already has an issued or lapsed LEI, renew or update that record instead of applying for another one.

For an introduction to the identifier itself, read What Is an LEI Code and Who Needs One?.

Step 1: Confirm why the organisation needs an LEI

A company does not automatically need an LEI merely because it has been incorporated.

An LEI may be required because the organisation is:

• Opening a corporate brokerage or investment account
• Trading financial instruments subject to transaction reporting
• Entering certain derivatives transactions
• Issuing or dealing in particular securities
• Subject to another regulatory reporting requirement
• Asked for an LEI by a bank, broker, trading venue or financial institution

Before applying, ask the institution requesting the LEI:

• Whether an LEI is mandatory for the intended account or transaction
• Whether the LEI must have an active issued status
• Which legal entity within the group requires it
• Whether there is a deadline
• Whether the institution can obtain the LEI on the entity's behalf

This is particularly important for corporate groups. A parent company's LEI cannot normally be used as the identifier for a separately incorporated subsidiary.

Step 2: Search for an existing LEI

Search the free GLEIF LEI Search before starting an application.

Use one or more of the following:

• Complete registered legal name
• Company or business-register number
• Country of incorporation
• Previous legal name
• Known LEI

Review the result carefully because different organisations can have similar names.

The LEI remains attached to the same legal entity throughout its lifecycle. Changing providers does not require or permit the organisation to obtain a different LEI.

Step 3: Identify the correct legal entity

An LEI identifies a legal entity, not a brand, website, product, bank account or individual owner.

Use the organisation's exact information from its official register. Do not substitute:

• A trading name for the registered legal name
• The parent company's details for a subsidiary
• The owner's personal details for the company
• An old address when the official register has been updated
• Another group company's registration number

If a corporate group contains several separately incorporated companies, each affected entity may need its own LEI.

Funds, trusts, government bodies, international organisations and certain branch structures can have specific eligibility or reporting requirements. Ask the selected provider to confirm eligibility if the legal structure is unclear.

Step 4: Choose an LEI provider

GLEIF accredits organisations that issue and maintain LEIs. These organisations are known as LEI Issuers or Local Operating Units.

An application may be submitted through one of three main routes:

A Registration Agent does not independently issue the LEI. The accredited LEI Issuer remains responsible for issuance and the resulting record.

GLEIF provides a current list of LEI Issuers and associated Registration Agents.

Before choosing a service, check:

• Which accredited LEI Issuer will issue the code
• Whether the provider supports the entity's jurisdiction
• The initial registration fee
• The renewal fee
• Whether taxes are included
• What a multi-year package covers
• What documentation may be required
• Available customer support
• How personal and company data will be handled
• Whether the provider makes realistic processing-time claims

There is no single universal retail price for an LEI. Providers set their own registration and renewal charges.

Start an LEI application through StandardsDesk. StandardsDesk is not an LEI Issuer, regulator or government service; applications are passed to an external LEI registration partner and StandardsDesk may receive a commission. The partner receiving your application is identified on the LEI application page before any information is shared — see our affiliate disclosure.

Step 5: Gather the required information

The application normally asks for information that identifies the entity and connects it to an authoritative register.

Entity information

Depending on the organisation and jurisdiction, the requested information may include:

• Official registered legal name
• Previous legal names
• Registered address
• Headquarters address
• Country and jurisdiction of formation
• Legal form
• Company or business-register number
• Name of the relevant registration authority
• Entity status
• Formation or registration date
• Contact information for the applicant

Use the information recorded by the authoritative registry. Small differences in spelling, legal suffixes or registration numbers can delay validation.

Parent information

The applicant may also be asked about the entity's:

• Direct accounting-consolidating parent
• Ultimate accounting-consolidating parent
• Parent LEIs, when available

This is known as Level 2 relationship data and is designed to help answer the question of "who owns whom."

These relationships are based on accounting consolidation rather than simply identifying every shareholder or beneficial owner.

If the entity has no reportable accounting-consolidating parent, or if an accepted reporting exception applies, select the accurate reason offered by the provider. Do not guess a parent relationship or use an exception merely to complete the form more quickly.

Applicant authority

The provider may need to verify that the person submitting the application is authorised to act for the legal entity.

The applicant could be:

• A director or authorised officer
• An employee authorised by the organisation
• A legal, accounting or corporate-services representative
• A financial institution applying for its client
• Another representative with documented authority

If the applicant's authority cannot be confirmed through public records, the provider may request a signed authorisation document or other evidence.

Step 6: Prepare supporting documents if needed

Not every application requires document uploads. An issuer may be able to retrieve and validate the necessary information directly from the relevant public register.

Additional documentation may be requested when:

• The register is not publicly accessible
• The registry information is incomplete
• The applicant is not a publicly listed company representative
• The entity has recently changed its name or address
• Parent relationships cannot be verified from public accounts
• The organisation is a fund, trust or another specialised legal structure
• The application information differs from the official registry
• An authorised representative is applying for another organisation

Possible documents include:

• Recent business-register extract
• Certificate of incorporation or registration
• Constitutional or formation document
• Evidence of registered address
• Authorisation letter
• Filed financial statements
• Documents supporting parent relationships
• Fund or trust documentation

Only provide documents requested through the provider's secure process. Do not email sensitive identification documents to an unverified address.

Step 7: Complete and review the application

Enter the information exactly as it appears in the authoritative source.

Before submitting, check:

• The correct legal entity has been selected
• The legal name includes the proper company suffix
• The registration number is complete
• Registered and headquarters addresses are entered in the correct fields
• The jurisdiction and legal form are correct
• Parent information is accurate
• The applicant has authority to submit the request
• The email address can receive verification questions
• The selected registration and renewal terms are understood

Also review the provider's price, cancellation terms, renewal arrangements and privacy information before payment.

An LEI application causes company reference information to become part of a publicly searchable global record. Applicants should understand this before submitting the request.

Step 8: Wait for validation and respond to questions

The LEI Issuer checks the submitted information against an authoritative source, such as a national business register.

The issuer may also verify:

• That the entity legally exists
• That no LEI has already been assigned
• The accuracy of the legal name and addresses
• The entity's registration details
• The authority of the applicant
• Direct and ultimate accounting-consolidating parent information
• Supporting documents and reporting exceptions

If the provider asks for clarification, respond promptly and provide documents that directly address the question.

Processing time varies. A simple application supported by an accessible registry may be completed quickly, while an application involving unavailable registry data, recent corporate changes or complex ownership relationships can take longer.

Do not rely on a guaranteed issuance time unless the provider's terms clearly explain what is guaranteed and what happens if further validation is required.

Step 9: Check the issued LEI record

Once issued, the organisation receives a unique 20-character LEI. The record should then become searchable through the Global LEI Index.

Check:

• LEI code
• Registered legal name
• Registered address
• Headquarters address
• Registration number
• Legal form
• Entity status
• LEI registration status
• Managing LEI Issuer
• Next renewal date
• Parent relationship information, where applicable

If anything is wrong, contact the provider that manages the record. GLEIF also provides a challenge facility for raising substantiated concerns about LEI data.

Do not apply for a second LEI to correct inaccurate information.

Step 10: Give the LEI to the requesting institution

Copy the LEI exactly as issued and provide it to the broker, bank or other organisation that requested it.

An LEI does not automatically:

• Open a brokerage or bank account
• Approve the organisation for trading
• Satisfy every onboarding requirement
• Confirm that the company is regulated
• Prove creditworthiness or financial stability

It supplies a standardised identity for the legal entity. The financial institution still performs its own compliance, account-approval and suitability checks.

What commonly delays an LEI application?

Reviewing the official company record before applying is usually the easiest way to prevent avoidable delays.

What happens after the LEI is issued?

The code remains associated with the legal entity, but its reference information must be kept current.

After issuance:

1. Save the LEI with the organisation's other corporate records.
2. Give it to the institution that requested it.
3. Check that the public record is accurate.
4. Tell the managing provider about relevant corporate changes.
5. Note the next renewal date.
6. Renew the record when an active status is required.

LEI reference data is generally revalidated annually. Some providers sell multi-year service packages, but the required validations must still occur during that period.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for an LEI directly through GLEIF?

GLEIF manages the Global LEI System and provides the Global LEI Index and issuer directory. LEI applications are handled by accredited LEI Issuers or through their Registration Agents and participating Validation Agents.

How long does it take to get an LEI?

Processing time depends on the provider, jurisdiction, accessibility of registry information and complexity of the entity. Straightforward applications may be completed quickly, while applications requiring documents or ownership validation can take longer.

Can I get an LEI immediately?

An LEI must not be issued until the required validation has been completed. Be cautious about services promising guaranteed instant issuance regardless of the entity's circumstances.

What documents are required?

A provider may not require documents when it can validate everything through an authoritative public register. Otherwise, it may request a registry extract, incorporation document, authorisation letter, financial statements or documents supporting the legal structure and parent relationships.

Can someone else apply for my company?

An authorised representative can generally submit an application, but the provider may request evidence that the person has permission to act for the entity.

What should I do if the company already has a lapsed LEI?

Renew the existing LEI. Do not apply for another code. The original LEI remains assigned to the entity even when its registration status is lapsed.

Can I choose my LEI number?

No. The 20-character identifier is generated within the Global LEI System and assigned by the issuer. Applicants cannot select a memorable or customised code.

Is LEI information public?

Yes. LEI reference information is published through the Global LEI Index and can be searched without charge. Applicants should review the information carefully before submission.

Does every subsidiary use the parent company's LEI?

No. Separately incorporated legal entities generally use their own LEIs when an LEI requirement applies to them. A parent company's LEI should not be substituted for a subsidiary's identifier.

Does an LEI have to be renewed?

The identifier remains connected to the entity, but its reference data is generally expected to be revalidated annually. If renewal is missed, the record may become lapsed.

Application checklist

Before submitting an LEI application, confirm that:

• The organisation actually needs or wants an LEI
• The correct legal entity has been identified
• The Global LEI Index has been searched
• No issued or lapsed LEI already exists
• The provider identifies its accredited LEI Issuer
• The price and renewal terms are clear
• Company information matches the official register
• Parent information is accurate
• The applicant is authorised
• Supporting documents are available if requested
• There is enough time for proper validation

The key point

Getting an LEI usually requires only a provider, accurate company information, validation and payment. The most important precautions are to search for an existing record first, apply for the correct legal entity and ensure that every detail matches authoritative records.

After issuance, check the public record, provide the code to the requesting institution and keep the reference information renewed when an active LEI is required.

Official sources

• GLEIF: Get an LEI
• GLEIF: Introducing the Legal Entity Identifier
• GLEIF: Search the Global LEI Index
• GLEIF: Registration Agents
• GLEIF: Level 2 Data — Who Owns Whom
• GLEIF: Registration Authorities List