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GIIN Lookup

GIIN Lookup — Search the FATCA FFI List

Look up any Global Intermediary Identification Number, verify its format, and confirm registration status against the IRS FFI List.

A GIIN (Global Intermediary Identification Number) is a 19-character identifier issued by the IRS to financial institutions that register under FATCA. Use the tool below to look up any GIIN, check its format, and confirm the institution appears on the IRS FFI List.

GIIN Lookup Tool

Enter a GIIN, institution name, or country to search the FFI List. Results update on the first business day of each month when the IRS republishes the list.

[ GIIN Lookup Tool embed ]

Input field for GIIN (auto-formats to XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX) · Optional name/country filter · Result display

What is a GIIN?

A GIIN is a unique 19-character alphanumeric identifier. The IRS issues it to financial institutions that register under FATCA, and it appears on the IRS FFI List — the official registry that withholding agents use to confirm FATCA status before making payments.

The GIIN follows a fixed structure: XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX. Each segment has a specific meaning — the first six characters are the FATCA ID, the next five identify the entity type, the two-character category code indicates whether the entity is a Lead FI, Single FI, Member FI, or Sponsoring Entity, and the final three digits are the ISO country code. For the full breakdown, see GIIN Format Explained.

Who needs a GIIN?

  • Financial Institutions (FIs) — banks, brokers, custodians, investment entities
  • FI branches — including branches outside the FI's home jurisdiction
  • Sponsoring Entities — entities that register on behalf of sponsored entities
  • Sponsored Entities — FFIs, direct reporting NFFEs, and sponsored subsidiary branches
  • Direct Reporting NFFEs — non-financial entities with US reportable accounts

How the IRS FFI List works

The IRS publishes the FFI List on the first day of each month. The list is searchable by GIIN, institution name, or country/jurisdiction. A GIIN is assigned when the FATCA registration is approved and appears on the FFI List in the next monthly publication cycle.

Withholding agents must verify a counterparty's GIIN against the FFI List before treating payments as FATCA-compliant. An invalid, missing, or expired GIIN can trigger a 30% withholding tax on US-source payments.

Why GIIN verification matters

  • Withholding agents rely on the FFI List to confirm an institution's FATCA status before making payments
  • FATCA reporting requires accurate, current GIINs in every filing
  • Counterparty onboarding teams verify GIINs as part of KYC and due diligence
  • Model 2 IGA and PFFI agreements require regular GIIN validation

Common GIIN lookup scenarios

Verify a counterparty's GIIN before onboarding. Confirm the GIIN exists on the FFI List and that the institution name matches your records.

Confirm your own GIIN is live. After registering, check the FFI List to confirm your GIIN is published. If it's missing, the registration may still be processing.

Check an older GIIN is still valid. GIINs remain on the FFI List unless the institution's registration is revoked or withdrawn. Always verify against the current month's list.

Related resources

Validate GIINs in bulk

Manual lookups don't scale. Novus's GIIN validation API checks hundreds of GIINs against the FFI List in a single call — ideal for onboarding pipelines, FATCA XML submissions, and ongoing counterparty monitoring.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a GIIN is valid?

Enter the GIIN in the lookup tool above and confirm the institution appears on the current IRS FFI List. A valid GIIN follows the format XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX and is listed with a matching institution name.

Is there a free GIIN lookup?

Yes. The IRS publishes the FFI List publicly, and our GIIN lookup tool is free to use. For bulk or API-based verification, see our enterprise options.

What if a GIIN isn't found?

The GIIN may be invalid, mistyped, or the registration may be pending. Confirm the format first (see GIIN Format), then check whether the institution has completed registration.

Does the 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, while a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) identifies account holders. Both appear in FATCA XML filings but serve different roles.