Three ways to find a SIREN
To find the SIREN of a French company from its name, the most reliable way is to search by name together with the city or postal code, then cross-check with a document the company published itself. The SIREN now matters beyond France: since September 2026 the customer's SIREN must appear on invoices under French e-invoicing, which concerns foreign sellers invoicing French businesses too.
1. Search by name. Enter the registered name, then add the city or postal code of the head office. Without a city, a common name returns dozens of results; with it, the list usually shrinks to one or two lines. Always note the address and the status (active or closed) before keeping a number.
2. The company's own documents. A French company website has to show legal notices ("mentions légales") with its registration number, head office and legal form; see the list on Service-Public Entreprendre (in French). An invoice, a quote or a Kbis extract (the French equivalent of a commercial register extract) also carries its identification. This is the safest source, since the company itself speaks. The SIREN is generally part of a French trade register number, and a French VAT number contains it too (see the intra-EU VAT number): FR, two check digits, then the 9-digit SIREN.
3. Ask the company. For a partner you already deal with, asking for the SIREN by email removes any doubt. It is also the right approach when several candidates look alike.
Checked on 15 October 2026.
SIREN or SIRET: which one to look for?
The SIREN has 9 digits and identifies the company, the legal unit. The SIRET has 14 digits: the SIREN followed by a 5-digit code specific to each establishment. According to Service-Public Entreprendre (in French), the SIREN generally stays the same, whereas the SIRET changes when the address changes. For an e-invoice, the customer's SIREN is what you need. For the detail, see SIREN and SIRET: what is the difference?.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Homonyms. Two companies can have almost the same name, in different cities or in the same one. Never keep a result without comparing the address, the legal form (SAS, SARL, SA) and the activity.
- A trade name is not the legal name. The name you know (brand, shop sign, trading name) can differ from the legal name in the register. Also search the registered name shown on your invoices or on the website.
- An establishment is not the company. A shop or branch has its own SIRET, but its first 9 digits are the company's: those are the SIREN to keep.
- Closed companies. A company that has ceased still shows up in searches. Check the status before invoicing; see struck-off or closed company.
- Sole traders. The business name is often the person's own name, so very common. A trading name is only a clue: the address and the activity make the difference.
The case of a whole file
Finding a SIREN by hand is easy for ten lines. For a file of thousands of customers you need automatic matching. Three principles make it reliable:
- A confidence score per row. The name, city and postal code in your file are compared with the possible companies; a high score validates the row, a low score flags it instead of guessing.
- Ambiguous rows are settled by a person. When several companies are plausible, show the candidates and let someone choose rather than keeping the first.
- Add the city. A city or postal code column is the best way to improve results; without it, homonyms stay ambiguous.
If your file already holds SIREN numbers, the diagnosis mainly spots wrong or closed numbers. See the free customer-file diagnosis.
A concrete example
You have to invoice "Boulangerie Martin" in Lyon. A search by name alone returns several shops. Adding Lyon leaves two candidates: one active, the other closed for several years. You keep the active one, check that its address matches your quote, then put its 9-digit SIREN on the invoice. If the address matches no candidate, you ask the customer for the number.
Frequently asked questions
Can you find a SIREN from the name alone?+
Yes, but the result is uncertain for a common name. Add the city or postal code, then compare the address and the status before keeping a number.
Where is the SIREN on a company document?+
In the legal notices of the website, on invoices and quotes, and on the Kbis extract. A French VAT number also contains the SIREN.
Does the SIREN change if the company moves?+
Generally not. It is the establishment SIRET that changes when the address changes.
What if several companies have the same name?+
Compare the city, the legal form and the activity. If doubt remains, ask the company for its SIREN.
How do you find the SIREN numbers of a whole file?+
With matching by name and city, a confidence score per row and a manual choice for ambiguous rows.
Keep reading
- SIREN · SIRETSIREN vs SIRET vs NIC: what is the difference?The company and its establishments: 9 or 14 digits, the role of the NIC and the right number for each use.
- SIRETHow to check a French SIRET numberThe 14-digit format, spotting typing mistakes and the difference between a valid SIRET and an active establishment.
- STATUSStruck-off, closed or dormant French company: how to tellStruck off, closed, dormant: the definitions, why to check before invoicing and how to be alerted to a change.