Identify a French business with SIREN and SIRET
Distinguish a legal entity from its establishment, compare identifiers and document details, and verify the contact independently.
Follow the method ↓
The answer in 30 seconds
A familiar trading name may cover several establishments, while similar names may belong to different entities. To identify who signs a quotation or publishes an offer, begin with the identifier and then compare the other details.
A SIREN has nine digits and identifies a French legal unit. A SIRET has fourteen digits: the SIREN plus five digits identifying an establishment. Search the public business directory and compare the legal name, establishment and administrative status. A real number does not prove that your correspondent represents that business.
Examples to adapt
Compare SIRETs and the billing entity; keep distinct establishments separate in a table.
Anyone may copy a public identifier. Confirm the sender’s relationship with the business separately.
Keep the non-publication status and consult the explanation instead of guessing missing values.
Follow the method
- 1Start with the received document
Record the legal name, address and number from the quotation, invoice or legal notice. Keep the original. A sponsored search result is not identity confirmation.
- 2Separate entity and establishment
Count digits without dropping leading zeros. For a SIRET, match the first nine digits to the SIREN. One legal unit may have several establishments.
- 3Open the public record
Search the exact number on the official directory. For a name search, compare results and addresses to resolve ambiguity. Record the consultation date.
- 4Compare scope and status
Inspect the relevant establishment and its administrative status. Some data may be withheld from publication; missing details alone do not establish fraud. Distinguish head office, delivery location and billing establishment.
- 5Confirm the contact independently
Before payment or a change of payment details, use a contact channel known independently of the message. Do not rely solely on the number or link it provides. Registration does not establish solvency or service quality.
A checklist to keep
Use these checks to record your observations. They are a reading aid, not an automatic assessment.
| Check | What to examine | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Legal unit | SIREN, 9 digits | Match the entity |
| Establishment | SIRET, 14 digits | Match the relevant location |
| Status | State and date | Read the correct level |
| Contact | Independent channel | Confirm before acting |
Read the checklist directly in the table.
What to check
Store identifiers as text in spreadsheets.
Checking an identifier and authenticating a contact are separate tasks.
One closed establishment does not determine the status of every establishment.
Avoid publishing unnecessary personal data when sharing a check.
Common questions
Are SIREN and SIRET interchangeable?
No. SIREN identifies a legal unit; SIRET identifies an establishment. Choose the level relevant to your question.
Is a valid number enough to make a payment?
No. Also verify the contract, correspondent and payment details through an independent channel.
May I merge records with the same SIREN?
Only when your observation concerns legal units. Use SIRET to preserve distinctions between establishments.
Sources and documentation
Documentation consulted on . Examples are illustrative; interfaces and results may change.
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