How to renew a LEI?

A LEI code must be renewed regularly, generally every year, in order to remain active and usable for regulated financial transactions. Renewal confirms that the legal information relating to the entity is still accurate.

A non-renewed LEI may move to an expired status, often referred to as lapsed. In this case, the code still exists, but it may no longer be accepted by a bank, broker, custodian or market infrastructure.

Table of contents

• How to renew a LEI?
  • Table of contents
  • What is LEI renewal?
  • Why should a LEI be renewed?
  • When should a LEI be renewed?
  • How to renew a LEI code?
  • 1. Identify the existing LEI
  • 2. Verify the entity’s information
  • 3. Update modified data
  • 4. Validation by the LEI issuer
  • 5. Payment and confirmation of renewal
  • What does expired LEI status mean?
  • How to reactivate an expired LEI?
  • Which documents should be prepared for renewal?
  • How to check the status of a LEI?
  • Should an unused LEI be renewed?
  • How to avoid a blockage linked to the LEI?
  • Renew a LEI quickly
  • Conclusion

What is LEI renewal?

Renewing a LEI consists of revalidating the information associated with a legal entity in the international Legal Entity Identifier system.

The LEI is not just a static number. It is linked to reference data that must remain accurate, including:

• the entity’s legal name;
• its registered office address;
• its country of incorporation;
• its registration number;
• its legal status;
• certain information relating to its control structure.

Renewal therefore confirms that this information is still correct or updates it if it has changed.

Why should a LEI be renewed?

The LEI is used to identify a legal entity in financial transactions and regulatory reporting obligations. To remain reliable, it must be linked to verified and up-to-date data.

Renewal is important for several reasons:

• maintaining the active status of the LEI;
• avoiding a move to expired status;
• allowing transactions with banks, brokers and custodians;
• facilitating regulatory reporting obligations;
• avoiding inconsistencies between LEI data and official registers;
• preserving the traceability of the entity in international financial systems.

In practice, a non-renewed LEI may become unusable for certain transactions, even though the code itself continues to exist.

When should a LEI be renewed?

A LEI generally needs to be renewed once a year.

It is recommended not to wait until the deadline, especially when the entity is preparing a significant financial transaction.

Renewal should be anticipated in the following cases:

• bond issuance;
• opening a securities account;
• onboarding with a broker;
• relationship with a custodian;
• transaction in financial instruments;
• transaction requiring an ISIN code;
• update to a legal structure;
• change of legal name or address;
• preparation of regulatory reporting.

When the entity’s information has changed, renewal may require additional checks. It is therefore preferable to start the process in advance.

How to renew a LEI code?

A LEI is renewed through an accredited LEI issuer or via a registration agent.

The procedure generally follows the steps below.

1. Identify the existing LEI

The first step is to find the entity’s LEI code.

The LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric identifier. It can be found in:

• the entity’s documents;
• exchanges with a bank or broker;
• previous registration confirmations;
• public LEI search databases;
• documents relating to a securities issuance.

This step makes it possible to check the current status of the LEI and the date of the last validation.

2. Verify the entity’s information

Before renewal, the data associated with the LEI must be checked.

In particular, the following should be verified:

• the legal name;
• the registration number;
• the registered office address;
• the country of registration;
• the legal form;
• the status of the entity;
• any group or control data.

If this information is incorrect or outdated, it must be updated before validation.

3. Update modified data

If the entity has undergone changes since the last renewal, these changes must be declared.

Common examples include:

• change of registered office;
• change of legal name;
• change of legal form;
• merger;
• absorption;
• dissolution;
• change in the control structure;
• changes to information appearing in the commercial register.

Where official data has not yet been updated in the relevant register, renewal may be delayed.

4. Validation by the LEI issuer

The LEI issuer checks the information provided against available official sources.

In France, these checks may in particular relate to information arising from the company’s registration.

The issuer may request additional supporting documents where:

• the declared data does not match official registers;
• the entity has recently changed its name or address;
• the group structure is complex;
• control data needs to be confirmed;
• the entity is foreign or difficult to identify.

5. Payment and confirmation of renewal

Once the information has been validated, the renewal is finalized after payment of the applicable fees.

The status of the LEI is then updated in the international database. The entity can then use its active LEI for its financial transactions.

What does expired LEI status mean?

An expired LEI means that the entity’s data has not been revalidated within the required timeframe.

The LEI code is not deleted. It continues to identify the entity, but its status indicates that the information has not been recently verified.

In practice, this can create difficulties.

An expired LEI may lead to:

• refusal to execute an order;
• blocking of a transaction;
• onboarding delays;
• a request for remediation by a bank;
• difficulties with regulatory reporting;
• refusal by a broker or custodian to proceed.

For entities using their LEI in a regulated context, the expired status should be corrected quickly.

How to reactivate an expired LEI?

Reactivating an expired LEI generally consists of renewing it.

The procedure is similar to a standard renewal:

1. find the existing LEI code;
2. verify the entity’s information;
3. update outdated data;
4. provide the necessary supporting documents;
5. have the information validated by the issuer;
6. pay the renewal fees;
7. obtain the status update.

Once the validation has been completed, the LEI returns to active status.

It is generally not necessary to request a new LEI. A legal entity should in principle have only one active LEI.

Which documents should be prepared for renewal?

The documents required depend on the jurisdiction, legal form and information to be verified.

For a French company, it may be useful to prepare:

• a recent Kbis extract;
• up-to-date articles of association;
• registration information;
• the registered office address;
• information on the parent company, where applicable;
• any document evidencing a recent change.

Where the entity belongs to a group, additional information may be requested on the control structure.

How to check the status of a LEI?

The status of a LEI can be checked using a LEI search tool or in the international LEI database.

The search generally allows you to review:

• the LEI code;
• the entity’s legal name;
• the LEI status;
• the date of the last update;
• the next renewal date;
• the LEI issuer;
• the associated reference data.

This check is recommended before any significant financial transaction.

Should an unused LEI be renewed?

If the entity no longer uses its LEI and has no financial transaction planned, renewal may seem less urgent.

However, it may still be useful to maintain an active LEI where the entity:

• holds financial instruments;
• plans to issue securities;
• wishes to open a securities account;
• may be asked for one by a bank;
• is preparing a financing transaction;
• wants to avoid a later reactivation delay.

For an active company, holding company or investment vehicle, maintaining an active LEI often prevents operational blockages.

How to avoid a blockage linked to the LEI?

To avoid a blockage, it is recommended to implement simple LEI management.

Good practices include:

• checking the LEI status at least once a year;
• anticipating renewal before the deadline;
• updating information as soon as a legal change occurs;
• keeping registration documents up to date;
• identifying the right internal contact;
• checking the LEI status before a financial transaction;
• renewing before any securities issuance or account opening.

An active LEI should be treated as an operational prerequisite for many financial transactions.

Renew a LEI quickly

Get LEI assists companies, funds, holding companies and investment vehicles with the renewal of their Legal Entity Identifier.

Our service simplifies the process, verifies the necessary information and limits the risk of rejection or delay.

We can assist you with:

• renewing an active LEI;
• reactivating an expired LEI;
• checking the status of a LEI;
• updating the entity’s information;
• preparing a transaction requiring a valid LEI.

You can submit your application directly via our dedicated page: LEI application:

To discover all our support services, you can also visit our services page: services

Conclusion

LEI renewal is an essential formality for entities involved in financial transactions. A non-renewed LEI may move to expired status and block a transaction, onboarding process or regulatory report.

It is therefore recommended to anticipate renewal, regularly check the LEI status and keep the entity’s information up to date.

To avoid any blockage, a company, fund or investment vehicle should renew its LEI before any significant financial transaction.