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.

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

How to apply for an LEI

1. Confirm the organisation needs an LEI. Incorporation alone does not create a requirement. An LEI is usually needed to open a corporate brokerage or investment account, trade financial instruments subject to transaction reporting, enter certain derivatives transactions, issue or deal in particular securities, or satisfy another regulatory reporting requirement. Ask the institution requesting the LEI whether it is mandatory, whether it must have active status, which entity within a group needs it, and whether there is a deadline. A parent company's LEI cannot normally be used for a separately incorporated subsidiary.
2. Search the Global LEI Index for an existing record. Use the free GLEIF LEI Search with the complete registered legal name, company or business-register number, country of incorporation, previous legal name or known LEI. Review results carefully, since different organisations can have similar names, and see the table below for what to do with each type of result. An LEI is assigned only once to a legal entity: if one already exists, issued or lapsed, renew or update it instead of applying again.
3. Identify the exact legal entity that needs the LEI. An LEI identifies a legal entity, not a brand, website, product, bank account or individual owner. Use the organisation's exact details from its official register - do not substitute a trading name, a parent company's details, an owner's personal details, an outdated address or another group company's registration number. Each separately incorporated entity in a group may need its own LEI. Funds, trusts, government bodies, international organisations and certain branch structures can have specific eligibility rules, so ask the provider to confirm eligibility if the structure is unclear.
4. Choose an LEI provider. GLEIF accredits the organisations that issue and maintain LEIs, known as LEI Issuers or Local Operating Units (see the provider routes below).
5. Provide the requested entity, ownership and applicant information, and prepare any supporting documents the provider needs.
6. Submit the application, pay the fee and review everything before payment.
7. Respond to any validation questions from the LEI Issuer until the information has been checked against an authoritative source.
8. Check the published LEI record once issued, and note its renewal date.
9. Give the LEI to the requesting institution and keep the reference data current going forward.

Searching for an existing LEI

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.

Choosing an LEI provider

An application can go through one of three 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 and renewal fees, whether taxes are included, what a multi-year package actually covers, what documentation may be required, available customer support, how personal and company data will be handled, and 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.

Information the application requires

The application normally asks for information that identifies the entity and connects it to an authoritative register: the official registered legal name and any previous names, registered and headquarters addresses, country and jurisdiction of formation, legal form, company or business-register number, the relevant registration authority, entity status, formation date and applicant contact details. Use the information recorded by the authoritative registry - small differences in spelling, legal suffixes or registration numbers can delay validation.

The applicant will also usually be asked about the entity's direct and ultimate accounting-consolidating parent, and any parent LEIs where 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 an accepted reporting exception applies, select the accurate reason offered by the provider rather than guessing a relationship or using an exception to complete the form more quickly.

The provider may also need to verify that the person submitting the application is authorised to act for the legal entity - typically a director, an authorised employee, a legal, accounting or corporate-services representative, or a financial institution applying for its client. If the applicant's authority cannot be confirmed through public records, the provider may request a signed authorisation document or other evidence.

Supporting documents

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 or is incomplete, the applicant is not a publicly listed company representative, the entity has recently changed name or address, parent relationships cannot be verified from public accounts, the organisation is a fund, trust or other specialised structure, the application differs from the official registry, or an authorised representative is applying on behalf of another organisation.

Possible documents include a recent business-register extract, certificate of incorporation or registration, constitutional or formation document, evidence of registered address, an authorisation letter, filed financial statements, or documents supporting parent relationships or fund/trust structures. Only provide documents requested through the provider's secure process - do not email sensitive identification documents to an unverified address.

Enter all information exactly as it appears in the authoritative source, and before submitting check that the correct legal entity and proper company suffix have been used, the registration number is complete, addresses are in the right fields, the jurisdiction and legal form are correct, parent information is accurate, the applicant has authority to submit the request, and the registration and renewal terms are understood. An LEI application causes company reference information to become part of a publicly searchable global record, so applicants should understand this before submitting.

Validation, timing and common delays

The LEI Issuer checks the submitted information against an authoritative source, such as a national business register. It 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 applicant's authority, parent information, and any supporting documents or reporting exceptions. If the provider asks for clarification, respond promptly with documents that directly address the question.

Processing time varies by provider, jurisdiction, accessibility of registry information and complexity of the entity. A simple application supported by an accessible registry may be completed quickly, while one 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.

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

After the LEI is issued

Once issued, the organisation receives a unique 20-character LEI, and the record becomes searchable through the Global LEI Index. Check the LEI code, registered legal name, registered and headquarters addresses, registration number, legal form, entity status, LEI registration status, managing LEI Issuer, next renewal date and, where applicable, parent relationship information. 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.

Copy the LEI exactly as issued and give it to the broker, bank or other organisation that requested it. An LEI does not automatically open an account, approve the organisation for trading, satisfy every onboarding requirement, confirm that the company is regulated, or prove creditworthiness. It supplies a standardised identity for the legal entity - the financial institution still performs its own compliance, account-approval and suitability checks.

The LEI stays associated with the entity, but its reference information must be kept current: save it with the organisation's other corporate records, tell the managing provider about relevant corporate changes, and note the next renewal date. 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

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.

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.

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.

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

Official sources

• GLEIF: Get an LEI
• GLEIF: Introducing the Legal Entity Identifier
• GLEIF: Search the Global LEI Index