France · INSEE Sirene
French SIREN Number Checker
Check a French SIREN number for correct format and check digit, and confirm it in the Sirene register — with the company name and whether it is still active.
What is a SIREN number?
A SIREN (Système d’identification du répertoire des entreprises) is the unique 9-digit number INSEE gives every legal unit entered in the Sirene directory — companies, sole traders and many other legal entities — for example 775 670 417 for LVMH. It never changes and is never reused, and it forms the base of the 14-digit SIRET and the French VAT number.
French SIREN format
Nine digits: eight with no meaning and a Luhn check digit.
(no meaning)
(Luhn)
Example: 775 670 417 (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE). Spaces are presentation only.
- 9 digits: Always nine digits, often printed in groups of three (775 670 417). The number says nothing about the activity, location or legal form.
- Luhn check: From the right, double every second digit, add all the digits, and the total must be a multiple of 10. A passing number can still belong to a ceased company.
- Related numbers: SIRET = SIREN + 5-digit NIC (14 digits). VAT number = FR + 2-digit key + SIREN. RCS registration uses the same SIREN.
- Status matters: The checker shows whether the company is active or ceased — a valid number alone is not proof that the business still trades.
How to check a SIREN number
- 1 Find the SIREN on the company’s invoice, website legal notice (mentions légales) or Kbis extract.
- 2 Enter it above. The checker validates the format and check digit, then confirms the SIREN in the Sirene register.
- 3 Check the returned company name and status — a ceased company keeps a valid SIREN.
- 4 Want to run the official lookups yourself? Our SIREN verification guide walks through them step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SIREN number? (Qu’est-ce qu’un numéro SIREN ?)
It is the 9-digit number INSEE assigns to every legal unit — company, sole trader, association or public body — when it is entered in the Sirene directory. The digits carry no meaning, the last one is a check digit, and a SIREN is never reused.
What is the difference between SIREN and SIRET?
The SIREN identifies the business; the SIRET (14 digits: SIREN + a 5-digit NIC) identifies each of its establishments and changes when an establishment moves. A head office and two shops have 1 SIREN and 3 SIRETs. Check a SIRET number.
How do I check a SIREN number? (Comment vérifier un SIREN ?)
Enter it in the checker on this page: it validates the 9 digits and the Luhn check digit, then looks the SIREN up in the Sirene register and shows the company name and status. For the official lookup routes, see our SIREN verification guide.
Does a valid SIREN mean the company is active?
No. A SIREN is never reused, so a dissolved company keeps a valid number — Peugeot SA (552 100 554), for example, has been ceased since 16 January 2021. Check the company status as well as the number.
How do I get the VAT number from a SIREN?
The French VAT number is FR, a 2-character key (usually 2 digits) and the SIREN — for example FR81775670417 for LVMH. Businesses under the franchise en base (VAT exemption for small businesses) do not get one automatically, so confirm any VAT number in VIES rather than deriving it. Check a French VAT number.
Does a micro-entrepreneur or an association have a SIREN?
A micro-entrepreneur (auto-entrepreneur) gets a SIREN automatically on registration and keeps it for life. An association only gets one if it seeks public subsidies, employs staff or owes VAT or corporate tax; otherwise it has only an RNA number (W + 9 digits), except in Alsace-Moselle, where associations are not in the RNA.
Last reviewed: , against official sources.
France business IDs compared
Every France identifier Lookuptax validates.
| ID | Who has one | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIREN number (this page) | Every legal unit in the Sirene directory: companies, sole traders, some associations | 9 digits (Luhn check digit) | 775670417 |
| SIRET number | Each establishment (head office, shop, site) of a business | 14 digits: SIREN + 5-digit NIC | 77567041700051 |
| French VAT number (TVA) | Businesses liable for VAT (issued by the DGFiP) | FR + 2-character key + SIREN | FR81775670417 |
Verify French companies at scale
Check SIREN and SIRET numbers against the Sirene register in one API call — with company name and status.