Search the business registry

    France business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in France

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Infogreffe

    How do I search the business registry in France?

    Use Infogreffe as a starting source for France, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      Infogreffe records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      France recognises SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    France: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Identify the legal unit with its SIREN, then distinguish it from a particular establishment identified by SIRET. Use the relevant official register or document service for the company's filings and extract.
    Confirm the entity
    A SIREN has nine digits; a SIRET has 14 and identifies an establishment. Compare legal form, registered name and headquarters before matching a branch address to an invoice.

    INPI beneficial-ownership access conditions

    Check current access and document options on the official Infogreffe / INSEE site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the France registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the France business registry cover?

    Infogreffe records SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the France business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in France?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check Infogreffe's current terms.

    What if a France business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    What is a SIREN number?

    SIREN is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned to every French business by INSEE. The SIRET is a 14-digit extension (SIREN + 5-digit establishment code) that identifies each individual establishment or branch of a company.

    People also ask about search the business registry in France

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the France company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Infogreffe / INSEE are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official France business registry?

    The Infogreffe / INSEE is the official public register of companies incorporated in France. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.infogreffe.fr.

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