An LEI transfer is the process of moving responsibility for a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) from one LEI Issuer / LOU to another. This might be needed when your organisation changes service providers, consolidates entity data management, or wants to align LEI administration under a preferred LEI Issuer.
Transferring your LEI does not change the LEI code itself or the underlying reference data; it changes the issuer and account responsible for managing that LEI.
How LEI transfer works
The LEI transfer process generally involves these steps:
1. Initiate the transfer request
You begin the transfer via your current LEI account with your current LEI Issuer.
2. Provide authorisation
The current account holder must authorise the transfer. This involves confirming ownership of the LEI, establishing legal authority to approve the transfer, and providing consent.
3. Submit entity details
Minimal information about the LEI and the new account is submitted so that the receiving LEI Issuer can assume management responsibility.
4. Verification and acceptance
The inbound LEI Issuer verifies the authorisation and processes the request.
Once complete, the LEI is under the control of the new LEI Issuer and should become available if your new LEI Issuer’s account.
Difference between renewing and transferring an LEI
There is an important distinction to make when renewing an LEI. LEI renewal can only take place with the LOU / LEI Issuer that currently manages the LEI. If you wish to change who renews your LEI, you must transfer it to your chosen LEI Issuer.
Renewing LEIs currently managed via another LOU / LEI Issuer
Find renewal instructions below for organizations that wish to renew with RapidLEI, but currently have LEIs managed by other LEI Issuers:
Transfer your LEI to RapidLEI management.
RapidLEI uses a streamlined LEI transfer process that operates within the rules of GLEIF transfers.
- Create a RapidLEI account. RapidLEI uses accounts to manage LEIs to protect your LEI.
- Click the Import LEI icon, or select the Import LEI(s) tab during a new application. Complete and submit the LEI transfer and renewal application form.
- Once the LEI is managed by RapidLEI, we can automatically verify Legal Entity Reference Data from the appropriate Business Registry and determine if there have been any changes with the Global LEI System (GLEIS) database.