LEI verification and status check

What LEI verification confirms

LEI verification confirms that a record exists in the Global LEI Index and that its reference data is current. The tool checks status, issuer, and key dates, and helps you confirm the correct legal entity before a payment, trade, or onboarding decision.

Verification also ties the LEI record to registration authority references, which helps distinguish similar entity names. If you only have a name, find the LEI using the search tool, then return here to confirm the record before you proceed.

Status

Status shows whether the LEI is active, lapsed, or in transition. For most compliance checks, the record should be Issued or Active. If it is Lapsed, the data may be stale and a renewal is required before use.

Entity identity match

Verification should include a name and address match. Compare the legal name, registration authority reference, and country. If you provide the entity name, the tool highlights whether the name matches the LEI record.

Verification also shows jurisdiction and legal form, which can matter for cross-border requirements. If your policy requires extra checks, save the LEI record link as supporting evidence.

Issuer and record dates

The issuer or LOU maintains the record and performs annual validation. The last update date shows when reference data was last confirmed. The next renewal due date acts as the practical expiry date for compliance checks.

LEI status meanings

Active

Active or Issued means the LEI is current and has been renewed within the annual cycle. This is the expected status for regulated payments, trading, and onboarding.

Lapsed

Lapsed means the annual renewal was missed. The LEI still exists, but the data may be outdated. Many banks and counterparties require active status and will block onboarding until the LEI is renewed.

Retired or merged

Retired indicates the entity is no longer active, often due to dissolution or a merger. The LEI record can include a successor if one exists. In those cases, use the successor LEI for ongoing reporting.

Pending, annulled, or duplicate

Pending appears during issuance or transfer and is usually not accepted for regulated activity. Annulled and Duplicate indicate an error in the original LEI assignment. When a replacement or successor LEI is provided, use that record instead.

Some systems show Issued while others show Active. Both mean the record is current, but always confirm the last update and next renewal due date. If your internal policy requires a recent verification, repeat the check close to the reporting deadline.

What banks and counterparties check

Match of legal name and address

Banks verify that the legal name and address in the LEI record match the onboarding documents. They also check the registration authority reference to ensure the LEI ties back to the correct company registry.

Status at the time of transaction

For payments and trades, the status must be active at the time of submission. A record can lapse between onboarding and execution, so it is good practice to verify the status shortly before the transaction.

If you do not yet have the LEI code, start with the LEI search tool and then return here to verify the record. Go to LEI search.

Verification in common workflows

Payments and treasury

Many payment and treasury teams verify LEI status before high-value transfers or onboarding with correspondent banks. An active LEI reduces reconciliation delays and helps confirm that the receiving entity is correctly identified in bank systems.

Trading and regulatory reporting

Trading desks and compliance teams confirm LEI status for trade reporting and regulatory submissions. A lapsed record can trigger rejects or manual review, so verifying the status close to the trade date avoids follow-up queries.

KYC and onboarding

KYC teams use LEI verification to match legal names, addresses, and registry IDs with customer documents. When records are current, onboarding is faster and fewer manual checks are needed.

Verification results are often saved for audit trails. Many teams store the LEI record link, status date, and issuer in compliance systems to show that checks were completed at the time of the transaction.

What to do if an LEI is lapsed

Renewal steps

Renewing a lapsed LEI restores active status and updates reference data. Confirm the legal name and registration details, sign the mandate, and complete payment. Once the LOU validates the data, the record returns to active status.

Typical turnaround and avoiding last-minute issues

Most renewals complete quickly when registry data is stable. Delays can occur if the entity name changed, ownership data must be reported, or documents are missing. Start renewals early and keep registry records up to date to avoid last-minute payment or trading issues.

Multi-year renewals keep the LEI active and reduce annual admin. If your LEI is managed by another LOU, you can transfer it to GlobalLEI for consolidated renewals and a single point of contact. Transfer LEI.

If you need to renew now, use the renewal form and we will handle validation and reminder schedules for you. Renew LEI.

Verification checklist you can share internally

Five-point checklist

• Confirm the LEI code is 20 characters and matches the entity.
• Match the legal name and address with onboarding documents.
• Verify the status is Issued or Active.
• Check issuer and registration authority reference.
• Review last update and next renewal due date.