LEI Code vs LEI Certificate: What's the Difference
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An LEI code is a 20-character identifier that confirms your company's legal identity worldwide. An LEI Certificate is an optional signed document showing what your LEI record said on a specific date. Here's how the two differ and when you need each.
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What Is an LEI Code?
A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique code assigned to a legal entity, such as a company, fund, trust, or government body. It follows the ISO 17442 standard, and the global system behind it is overseen by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF).
LEI codes are issued by GLEIF-accredited Local Operating Units (LOUs). Registration Agents, such as GoGetSSL, handle the application for you and work with an LOU to get the code issued and published. Once issued, the LEI appears in the public Global LEI Index, where anyone can look it up for free.
You may also see it called an LEI number or LEI registration number. These all mean the same thing. An LEI is not the same as a BIC (SWIFT code): a BIC identifies a bank for routing payments, while an LEI identifies the legal entity behind a transaction.
For the benefits of an LEI and how it helps with OV and EV SSL validation, see LEI Codes: What They Are and Why They Matter for SSL.
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How an LEI Code Is Structured
Every LEI is exactly 20 characters long and made up of four parts. Here is GLEIF's own LEI as an example:
506700GE1G29325QX363
Characters Example What it means 1–4 5067 Prefix of the LOU that issued the code 5–6 00 Reserved, always 00 under the current standard 7–18 GE1G29325QX3 Unique part identifying the entity 19–20 63 Check digits used to catch typos -
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What Information Is Linked to an LEI
Each LEI points to a public record with verified reference data about the entity:
- Official legal name and legal form
- Registered address and country of formation
- Registration authority and company registration number
- Parent and ultimate parent companies, where applicable
- LEI status, registration date, and next renewal date
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Who Needs an LEI Code
An LEI is typically required when a legal entity takes part in regulated financial activity. Common cases include:
- Trading securities, bonds, or derivatives
- Regulatory reporting under rules such as MiFID II, EMIR, and Dodd-Frank
- Sending or receiving certain cross-border and instant payments
- Funds, trusts, and holding companies with reporting obligations
Private individuals acting in a personal capacity can't get an LEI. Sole proprietors are eligible only in some jurisdictions, where they appear in an official business register. If you're unsure whether you need one, your bank or broker will usually tell you.
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LEI Renewal and Lapsed Status
An LEI must be renewed every year. Renewal confirms that the entity's reference data is still accurate. Multi-year plans cover several annual renewals at once, so you don't have to handle them manually. You can check the current status of any LEI in the Global LEI Index.
Important: If an LEI isn't renewed, its status changes to LAPSED. The code stays the same, but banks, brokers, and regulators may reject it until it's renewed.
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What Is an LEI Certificate?
An LEI Certificate is a document, usually a PDF, that shows an entity's LEI reference data as it stood on the day the document was issued. It is produced by the LOU that manages the LEI and carries its electronic seal or signature, so the recipient can confirm who issued it and that it hasn't been edited.
It contains the main data from the public LEI record, such as the legal name, registered address, jurisdiction, LEI status, and next renewal date. It also shows the managing LOU, the date the certificate was issued, and often a QR code linking to the live record.
An LEI Certificate confirms identity only. It doesn't rate the company or say anything about its financial standing.
Tip: In some markets, especially India, "LEI Certificate" is commonly used to mean the LEI code itself. If your company doesn't have an LEI yet, you need to register one first.
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When You Need an LEI Certificate
In most cases, a link to your record in the Global LEI Index is enough to prove you have an active LEI.
A certificate becomes useful when the other side needs a file rather than a link, for example:
- Bank or broker onboarding forms with a document upload field
- Tender and procurement portals that only accept PDFs
- Audit files and due diligence packs that need a dated record
Important: If the LEI lapses after the certificate was issued, the certificate doesn't make it valid again. Order a new certificate after any change to your company's name, address, or LEI status.
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How to Get an LEI Certificate
Only the LOU managing your LEI can issue a certificate for it. To find out who that is, search for your company in the Global LEI Index and check the Managing LOU field. The LEI must be in ISSUED status, so renew it first if it has lapsed.
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How to Get an LEI Code with GoGetSSL
- Search the Global LEI Index to make sure your company doesn't already have an LEI.
- Choose a plan on the LEI Codes page and place your order.
- Enter your company details exactly as they appear in your national business register.
- Wait for the data to be verified against official sources. Once approved, your LEI is issued and published in the Global LEI Index.
Already have an LEI with another provider? You can transfer it to GoGetSSL. The code and its history stay the same. The transfer must be completed before the renewal can be processed.
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