Free tool · GIIN validation
Validate any GIIN in a keystroke.
Paste a Global Intermediary Identification Number to check its structure, category code and country code, segment by segment, before it goes into a filing.
- 19-character format
- 9 category codes
- ISO 3166-1 countries
- Instant
Validate a GIIN
01What it checks
Six checks, every segment explained.
-
01 / Check
Structure
Four segments, 6.5.2.3, separated by periods:
XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX, 19 characters in all. -
02 / Check
Characters
Uppercase letters and digits only, and never the letter O, which GIINs don’t use.
-
03 / Check
Category code
One of the nine IRS categories, from
LE(Lead FI) toSB(Sponsored subsidiary branch). -
04 / Check
Country code
A valid ISO 3166-1 numeric code for the jurisdiction, or
999for Other. -
05 / Check
Type code
Lead FIs and Sponsoring entities use
00000, Single FIs99999. Anything else is flagged to check. -
06 / Check
Hidden characters
Spaces and invisible characters copied from PDFs or emails are removed before checking.
02Format vs. registration
A valid format isn’t a registration.
The format tells you a GIIN is well-formed. Only the IRS FFI List tells you it’s registered and current, and withholding agents check that list before treating payments as FATCA-compliant.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Something else? Ask our team
Does this confirm a GIIN is registered?
No. It checks the format: structure, category and country. Whether a GIIN is registered and current is answered by the IRS FFI List, which you can open from the result.
Why does a valid-looking GIIN get a warning?
Lead FIs and Sponsoring entities always use type 00000, and Single FIs 99999. A different type code with those categories is structurally possible, so it’s flagged to check against your registration rather than rejected.
Can a GIIN contain the letter O?
No. GIINs never use the letter O, to avoid confusion with the digit zero. The validator tells you if it finds one.
What does the country code at the end mean?
It’s the ISO 3166-1 numeric code of the jurisdiction (for example 826 for the United Kingdom); 999 is used for Other.
Is my GIIN sent anywhere?
The check runs in your browser as you type. If JavaScript is off, the GIIN is checked by our server for that request only and isn’t stored.
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