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How to verify SIREN in France?

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SIREN Search on INPI data portal​

SIREN number search is available for free on the INPI data portal in France. You can access the SIREN search at data.inpi.fr. You can search by company name, SIREN, SIRET, or applicant. INPI contains data from the commercial court registries centralised in the French Companies Register (RNE).

SIREN validation on INPI website
SIREN validation on INPI website

Example SIREN: 775670417

A successful verification of the SIREN number on the INPI portal returns:

  • Company name
  • SIREN (registered office)
  • Date of registration
  • Start of activity
  • Term of the legal person
  • Closing date
  • Company nature
  • Legal form
  • Main activity (APE code)
  • Share capital
  • Address of registered office
  • List of Representatives
  • Establishments Details (Type, SIRET, Trade name, APE code, Activity, Address)
Successful SIREN Verification on INPI website
Successful SIREN Verification on INPI website

SIREN Search on Infogreffe Website​

SIREN number search is also available for free on Infogreffe, the official site of the French commercial courts. You can search by name, SIREN, SIRET, or managers.

SIREN Search on Infogreffe Website
SIREN Search on Infogreffe Website

Example SIREN: 481936946, 878547868

SIREN Search on Annuaire Entreprises Website​

You can also verify SIREN numbers on the official French business directory at annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr.

SIREN validation on Annuaire Entreprises Website
SIREN validation on Annuaire Entreprises Website

Example SIREN: 481936946, 878547868, 404107047

A successful verification on Annuaire Entreprises returns: Company name, SIREN, SIRET (head office), VAT Number, Main activity (NAF/APE), Address, Legal form, Creation date, Leaders, and downloadable proof of registration.

You can download a sample proof of registration here.

Successful SIREN Verification on Annuaire Entreprises Website
Successful SIREN Verification on Annuaire Entreprises

For more details on French tax identifiers, see our France Tax ID Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the difference between SIREN, SIRET, and the French TVA number — which one goes on an invoice?​

The SIREN (9 digits) identifies the legal entity — one SIREN per company regardless of how many locations it has. The SIRET (14 digits = SIREN + 5-digit NIC code) identifies a specific establishment. The TVA intracommunautaire (French VAT number) is derived from the SIREN using the formula: TVA key = (12 + 3 × (SIREN mod 97)) mod 97, giving FR + 2-digit zero-padded key + SIREN. For a valid French VAT invoice, the TVA number of the supplier must appear — not the SIREN or SIRET alone. Many invoices also show the SIRET for identification. Non-TVA-registered businesses (franchise en base) must not show a TVA number at all. [1] [2]

How do I calculate the French TVA number from a SIREN?​

The French TVA intracommunautaire follows the formula: key = (12 + 3 × (SIREN mod 97)) mod 97, then TVA = FR + zero-padded 2-digit key + SIREN. Example: SIREN 775670417 → (12 + 3 × (775670417 mod 97)) mod 97 = (12 + 3 × 81) mod 97 = 255 mod 97 = 61 → TVA number = FR61775670417. This formula applies to legal entities registered in the French Métropole and certain overseas territories. Always verify the computed TVA number on EU VIES before relying on it, as some entities (certain associations, sole traders registered before 2023) may have been assigned non-algorithmic keys. [1]

A company has an active SIREN but does not appear on EU VIES — does that mean they are not TVA-registered?​

Yes, this is common and legitimate. France's franchise en base de TVA exempts businesses below annual turnover thresholds (€36,800 for services; €91,900 for most goods in 2024) from TVA registration. These businesses hold a valid SIREN but have no TVA number and must not charge TVA on their invoices. Their invoices carry the mention "TVA non applicable — article 293B du CGI." Always verify TVA status separately on EU VIES or Annuaire Entreprises before accepting an invoice that charges TVA. [1] [2]

What does "Radiée" status mean on INPI or Annuaire Entreprises, and can the company still invoice?​

"Radiée" means the company has been struck off the commercial register (RCS/RNE) — its legal existence has ended through liquidation, voluntary dissolution, or administrative removal. A radiée company can no longer legally conduct commercial activity, enter new contracts, or issue valid commercial invoices. If you receive an invoice from a radiée company, the invoice is legally invalid and any TVA shown cannot be reclaimed as input tax. Check the radiation date — invoices dated before that date may still be enforceable for existing obligations. [1]

Do auto-entrepreneurs (micro-entrepreneurs) have a SIREN, and how do I verify them?​

Yes. Auto-entrepreneurs receive a SIREN from INSEE upon registration and are fully searchable on Annuaire Entreprises and INPI. Their lookup returns: Registration date, APE code, and TVA status. Most auto-entrepreneurs operate under the franchise en base de TVA and do not charge TVA — their invoices cannot show a TVA number. Those who exceed the turnover threshold must register for TVA and will then appear on EU VIES. An auto-entrepreneur's SIREN can be verified exactly like any other French company on the same portals. [1]

What is a KBIS extract, and when should I request one instead of using the free portals?​

A KBIS (Extrait Kbis) is an official certified extract from the commercial court register, issued by Infogreffe, that serves as legal proof of a company's existence and status. Unlike the free portals, it is a certified official document. Request a KBIS when: entering a significant contract requiring formal proof of legal existence; responding to a public tender; or satisfying due diligence requirements. A KBIS costs approximately €3.37 online via infogreffe.fr and is typically accepted as "recent" within 3 months. The free Annuaire Entreprises portal offers a non-certified "attestation d'existence" that is sufficient for informal verification. [1]

How do I access SIREN data programmatically via the INSEE Sirene API?​

INSEE provides a free REST API at api.insee.fr returning full SIREN/SIRET data including registration dates, activity codes, legal forms, and status. A free API key is required. For simpler integrations, the government's Annuaire Entreprises API at recherche-entreprises.api.gouv.fr requires no authentication. INSEE also publishes monthly bulk CSV snapshots of the full Sirene database (~11 million entities) under open data licence. Key limitation: there can be a 1–3 day lag between a new registration at the greffe (commercial court) and its appearance in the Sirene database. [1] [2]

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