LEI Registration: How to Register an LEI Number

Last updated: March 6, 2026

LEI registration is the process by which a legal entity obtains a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). An LEI is a unique 20-character, ISO 17442-compliant code that identifies organisations participating in financial transactions globally. Registration is completed through a GLEIF-accredited LEI issuer like RapidLEI, and in most cases takes less than one business day, and with RapidLEI often in just minutes.

If your organisation needs to complete LEI registration, you must apply through an accredited issuer like RapidLEI. Over 300 global regulations require LEI registration, including MiFID II, EMIR, DORA, and the EU Instant Payments Regulation. RapidLEI is the largest LEI issuer globally, GLEIF-accredited since 2018, and registers LEIs in over 150 jurisdictions.

This page explains the LEI registration process, what information is required, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

Who needs to complete LEI registration?

Any legally registered organisation that participates in financial transactions, regulatory reporting, or cross-border payments may need to complete LEI registration. Entities required to register an LEI include:

• Companies, corporations and corporate groups
• Financial institutions, banks and credit unions
• Investment funds, hedge funds and ETFs (see LEI registration for funds)
• Trusts, special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and foundations
• Public sector bodies and government entities
• Sole traders and partnerships in some jurisdictions
• Crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) under MiCA
• ICT third-party service providers under DORA

If you are unsure whether your organisation needs to complete LEI registration, the section below on regulatory requirements provides a full overview.

When is LEI registration required?

LEI registration is mandatory under a growing number of global regulations. The table below lists the key requirements:

RapidLEI maintains a full overview of LEI regulations across jurisdictions. Once LEI registration is complete, your LEI is published to the Global LEI Index (GLEIS) and is immediately recognised across all applicable regulations.

What information is required for LEI registration?

To complete LEI registration, you will need the following information about your organisation:

• Legal name: the official registered name of the entity
• Registered address: the address held on the official company registry
• Country of incorporation or establishment
• Registration authority: e.g. Companies House (UK), SEC (US), Handelsregister (DE)
• Company registration number: your unique identifier with the registration authority
• Entity structure: whether the entity has a direct parent, ultimate parent, or operates independently
• Authorisation to apply: confirmation that you are entitled to register the LEI on behalf of the entity

RapidLEI’s system automatically retrieves most of this data from official business registries, so in many cases you only need to confirm the information rather than enter it manually.

Documents that may be required
For most entities registered on a publicly available national registry, no additional documents are required. If the registry is not publicly accessible, or if the automated data cannot be verified, you may be asked to provide one of the following:

• Certificate of incorporation or registration
• Registry extract or certified company search
• Trust deed (for trusts)
• Fund prospectus or constitutional document (for funds)
• HMRC documentation (for UK trusts)

How to complete LEI registration: step-by-step

Completing LEI registration with RapidLEI takes most organisations less than 10 minutes:

• Click the Register LEI button
• Create an LEI Account. This is to protect your LEIs from unauthorised transfers in the future
• Complete the simple online forms by submitting the various entity information. The automated systems find this where possible to make it easy
• Confirm your entity structure if the applicant entity is part of a legal group
• RapidLEI systems or staff complete the validation and confirm rights to apply for the LEI
• Receive your 20-character LEI number, and RapidLEI publishes it to the GLEIS
• Ensure the LEI is renewed annually to remain active

For a detailed preparation guide on registering an LEI, see the article Preparing for your LEI registration.

After LEI registration is complete:
Your 20-character LEI number is emailed to you immediately upon issuance.
The LEI is published to the Global LEI Index (GLEIS) and visible in any GLEIF-connected system.
Your LEI can be used immediately for regulatory reporting, payments, and KYB onboarding.
To ensure your LEI does not lapse, you will receive renewal reminders each year to renew, and if you chose a multi-year plan your LEI will be renewed automatically.

How long does LEI registration take?

In most cases, LEI registration with RapidLEI is completed within minutes. The exact timeframe depends on three factors:

• Data accuracy: if your entity is on a publicly accessible registry and the data matches, validation is fully automated
• Entity complexity: entities with complex parent structures or unusual legal forms may require manual review
• Documentation: if supporting documents are required, processing time depends on how quickly they are provided

The majority of LEI registrations submitted through RapidLEI are issued on the same day as application. For straightforward company registrations, issuance typically takes under 10 minutes.

How much does LEI registration cost?

LEI registration is priced on a per-year basis. All LEIs must be renewed annually to remain active. This is a GLEIF requirement, not specific to any LEI issuer. You can make renewal easier by choosing a multi-year contract. Prices vary between issuers.

RapidLEI offers:

• 1-year LEI registration: single-year plan, renewed manually each year
• 3-year LEI registration: automated renewal, discounted vs. annual pricing
• 5-year LEI registration: automated renewal, maximum discount

Multi-year LEI registrations automatically renew using verified data from official registries, removing the administrative burden of annual reapplication and eliminating the risk of your LEI lapsing.

See full pricing on the LEI price page.

LEI registration for multiple entities

If your organisation needs LEI registration for a group of companies, subsidiaries, or client entities, RapidLEI’s EnterpriseLEI platform supports bulk registration and centralised management:

• Register multiple LEIs in a single workflow via bulk upload or API
• Centrally manage renewal dates across an entire portfolio
• Maintain consistent entity data
• Receive consolidated renewal reminders and invoicing

EnterpriseLEI is used by banks, corporate service providers, fund administrators, and compliance teams managing LEI registration at scale.

See more about whether this solution is right for your organisation on the EnterpriseLEI solution page.

LEI registration on behalf of clients

If you manage LEI registration on behalf of other organisations, for example as a corporate services provider, asset manager, wealth manager, law firm, accountant, or financial institution, RapidLEI’s Partner Programs are designed for this use case:

• Register and renew LEIs on behalf of clients through a single dashboard
• Offer LEI registration as a value-added service or a standalone business line
• Access volume pricing and dedicated support
• API access for automated LEI registration workflows

Learn more about LEI Partner Programs.

Register your LEI today

RapidLEI is the largest GLEIF-accredited LEI issuer globally, issuing LEIs to organisations in over 150 jurisdictions since 2018. LEI registration takes only minutes. Start your application now.

→ Register an LEI now
→ Register multiple LEIs for your organisation or clients 
→ Check if your entity already has an LEI 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LEI registration?
LEI registration is the process of applying for a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): a unique 20-character code used to identify legal entities in financial transactions globally. Registration is completed through a GLEIF-accredited LEI issuer such as RapidLEI. Once issued, the LEI is published to the Global LEI Index and remains valid for one year, after which it must be renewed.

Who needs to complete LEI registration?
Any organisation that participates in regulated financial activity may be required to complete LEI registration, depending on the jurisdiction and the applicable regulation. LEI registration is mandatory under MiFID II, EMIR, DORA, MiCA, the EU Instant Payments Regulation, and several other frameworks globally. If you are unsure whether your organisation needs an LEI, consult the LEI regulations page or contact RapidLEI.

How long does LEI registration take?
LEI registration with RapidLEI typically takes less than 10 minutes for standard company entities. Most LEIs are issued within minutes of submission, as RapidLEI’s system automatically validates entity data against official business registries. Complex entities or those requiring supporting documentation may take longer.

How much does LEI registration cost?
LEI registration is priced on an annual basis, as all LEIs must be renewed each year per GLEIF requirements. RapidLEI offers 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year registration plans, with multi-year plans providing a discount and automated renewal. Full pricing is available on the LEI price page.

What documents are needed for LEI registration?
For most entities registered on a publicly accessible national business registry, no documents are required — RapidLEI retrieves the necessary data automatically. If your entity cannot be found on a public registry, you may need to provide a certificate of incorporation, registry extract, trust deed, or equivalent constitutional document.

Can someone else complete LEI registration on my behalf?
Yes. An authorised third party such as an asset manager, corporate services provider, accountant, or legal representative may complete LEI registration on behalf of an organisation. RapidLEI will verify the applicant’s right to apply during the registration process.

What happens if I don’t renew my LEI after registration?
If an LEI is not renewed annually, its status changes to “lapsed” in the Global LEI Index. A lapsed LEI may not be accepted for regulatory reporting, payments, or KYB purposes. RapidLEI sends renewal reminders in advance of expiry, and multi-year plans renew automatically to prevent lapse.

What is the format of an LEI registration number?
An LEI number is a 20-character alphanumeric code structured according to ISO 17442. The first four characters identify the LEI issuer (LOU prefix), characters 5–18 are entity-specific, and the final two characters are check digits. All LEI numbers are globally unique and publicly searchable in the GLEIF database.

If you are looking for a deeper history of the LEI is, see What is an LEI.