Apply for an LEI in the UK: Steps, Details and Costs

To apply for an LEI in the UK, first check whether the legal entity already has one. Then prepare its register and parent-company details, confirm your authority to act, and submit an application through an LEI issuer or Registration Agent. LEIFast usually verifies an application within 1 business day, although a complex parent structure can take longer.

What this means in the United Kingdom

For a UK company, the register entry is the starting point. Companies House – Find and update company information lets you search by company name or number. Companies House also states that it does not check the accuracy of information filed with it, so check the details you intend to submit rather than relying on a name match alone.

The GLEIF – Registration Authorities List identifies Companies House under RA000585 for England and Wales, RA000586 for Northern Ireland and RA000587 for Scotland. LEIFast looks up an applicant in Companies House or the relevant UK register, then asks the applicant to confirm the details. A limited company in Bristol whose broker asks for an LEI before a share trade, for example, can begin by checking its company entry.

Have the legal name, register number, address and a contact ready, along with details of any consolidating parent. LEIFast verifies the company register and the applicant’s right to represent the entity. It is a Registration Agent of WM Datenservice, not an LEI issuer: the GLEIF-accredited issuing LOU publishes the code. The PDF sent by LEIFast when the record is live is LEIFast’s confirmation, not an official GLEIF certificate.

A Scottish LLP needing an LEI for a bank facility can follow the same application steps. LEIFast requests extra documents only if the applicant is not a board member, a parent link must be proved, or the application concerns some funds. Its verification usually takes 1 business day; complete applications with clean register data are often finished the same working day, but a complex parent structure can take longer.

Key points before an LEI application

• Look for an existing record before applying for a new code.
• Use the legal entity’s register details, not the applicant’s personal details, to identify the entity.
• Prepare information about any direct and ultimate accounting consolidating parent.
• Confirm that you have the right to act for the entity.
• Allow for annual renewal after the LEI is issued.

An LEI is a 20-character code under ISO 17442, according to GLEIF – LEI Questions and Answers (2024). GLEIF says LEIs are renewed annually, although issuers may offer multi-year contracts.

Check whether the entity already has an LEI

Search GLEIF LEI Search before opening a new application. This free public lookup shows LEI records and their status, including ISSUED and LAPSED. Check that any result belongs to the entity concerned, rather than assuming that a similar name identifies the right company.

If a record already exists, use its code and status to decide what action is needed instead of requesting a new code. For further guidance on searching for a UK company, see the UK LEI lookup guide.

Who can apply, and which issuer can you use?

A company, fund or other legal entity can contact an LEI issuer. An issuer does not have to be based in the entity’s own country: GLEIF says the entity can use any issuer accredited for its jurisdiction. GLEIF – Get an LEI lists issuers by jurisdiction and provides a filter for fund registration.

Alternatively, an applicant can use a Registration Agent such as LEIFast to submit the application. The person applying must be able to confirm their right to act for the entity. If that person is not a board member, LEIFast may ask for supporting documents.

What information should you prepare?

Compare the proposed application details with the company’s register entry before submitting them. Parent information also needs attention: under GLEIF – Level 2 data: who owns whom, entities with an LEI report their direct and ultimate accounting consolidating parent. If those parents have LEIs, the parent codes are published with the child entity’s record.

Item	What to prepare or check
Legal name and register number	Match the company’s UK register entry.
Address	Check the address against the register details.
Contact	Provide details for the person handling the application.
Consolidating parents	Identify the direct and ultimate accounting consolidating parent, if they exist.
Authority to act	Be ready to confirm that the applicant may act for the entity.

LEIFast may request evidence if a parent link must be proved. If it is unclear which accounting-consolidation relationships apply, check the entity’s circumstances with an appropriate adviser.

How to apply for an LEI in the UK

Once you have checked for an existing code and prepared the details, you can apply for an LEI using LEIFast’s order form. The application follows this ordered checklist:

1. Choose a term. Select 1, 3 or 5 years.
2. Confirm the register details. LEIFast looks up the company in Companies House or the relevant UK register; check and confirm the result.
3. Pay. Use a bank link, card or invoice. The GLEIF fee is included rather than added at the end.
4. Receive the code. The GLEIF-accredited issuing LOU publishes it. LEIFast emails its PDF confirmation when the record is live.

The LEIFast UK pricing page lists £45 for 1 year, £117 for 3 years and £165 for 5 years. The GLEIF fee is included; VAT is added where required. The page also states that there is no transfer fee.

Timing and what to do after issue

LEIFast usually verifies the company register and right to represent within 1 business day. Most complete applications with clean register data are finished the same working day, but this is not a guaranteed turnaround time. An application involving a complex parent structure can take longer.

After the issuing LOU publishes the LEI, check the public record and its status in GLEIF LEI Search. For other related topics, the LEIFast UK blog provides further reading. Annual renewal still applies even if you choose a multi-year contract; if the entity already has a code that needs renewal, use the LEI renewal page rather than applying for a new one.