Free tool · GIIN lookup
Look up a GIIN the right way round.
Check the GIIN’s format here first, then confirm the institution on the official IRS FFI List: the only source for whether a GIIN is registered and current.
- Format check
- IRS FFI List
- Free
Look up a GIIN
01How to look up a GIIN
Four steps, one authoritative source.
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Check the format
Paste the GIIN above. Fix any segment that’s flagged before you search: a mistyped GIIN simply won’t be found.
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Open the IRS FFI List
The IRS FFI List Search and Download Tool is public and free. It’s republished monthly.
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Search by GIIN, name or country
Search with the GIIN for an exact match, or by institution name or country if you don’t have it.
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Confirm the details match
Check the institution name and country against your records. A listed GIIN with a different name is a red flag.
The official source. The IRS FFI List Search and Download Tool also offers the full list as a monthly download.
02What is a GIIN?
A 19-character FATCA identity.
A GIIN (Global Intermediary Identification Number) is issued by the IRS to financial institutions that register under FATCA. It appears on the IRS FFI List, the registry withholding agents use to confirm FATCA status before making payments.
An invalid, missing or expired GIIN can trigger 30% withholding on US-source payments, which is why counterparties check it during onboarding and why every FATCA filing needs it right.
Who needs a GIIN
- Financial institutions
- Banks, brokers, custodians and investment entities.
- FI branches
- Including branches outside the FI’s home jurisdiction.
- Sponsoring entities
- Entities that register on behalf of sponsored entities.
- Sponsored entities
- Sponsored FFIs, direct reporting NFFEs and sponsored subsidiary branches.
- Direct reporting NFFEs
- Non-financial entities that report their US owners directly.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Something else? Ask our team
How do I check if a GIIN is valid?
Check its format with the tool above, then confirm it appears on the current IRS FFI List with a matching institution name. A valid GIIN follows the format XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX.
Is there a free GIIN lookup?
Yes. The IRS publishes the FFI List publicly, and its search tool is free. Our format check is free too.
Why doesn’t Novus search the FFI List for me?
The IRS list is the authoritative, monthly-updated source, so we send you straight to it rather than show a copy that could be out of date.
What if a GIIN isn’t found?
It may be mistyped, invalid or still being processed. Check the format first; newly approved registrations appear in the next monthly publication.
Does a GIIN change every year?
No. A GIIN stays with the institution unless the registration is revoked, withdrawn or reissued. The FFI List is republished monthly, but the GIIN itself is stable.
Is a GIIN the same as a TIN?
No. A GIIN identifies the institution for FATCA purposes; a TIN identifies the account holder. Both appear in FATCA XML, in different roles.
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