How to Check a SIRET (or SIREN) Number in France?

If you are planning construction, renovation or any work on your property, it is worth checking the identity and registration details (SIRET number) of the French artisan or company you are considering.

The SIRET number is a simple way to verify that a business or establishment exists and to obtain basic details about it. This is especially helpful if you’ve received a quote from an unfamiliar tradesperson or are arranging work from outside France. 

What is a SIRET Number in France?

The SIRET (Système d’Identification du Répertoire des Établissements) is a unique 14-digit identification number that INSEE, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, assigns to businesses in France.

It identifies a particular establishment of a business or organisation. This is important because a company operating from several locations can have one SIREN number but several SIRET numbers, one for each establishment.

The SIRET consists of the company’s 9-digit SIREN number followed by a 5-digit establishment number known as the NIC.

For example:

• SIREN: 123 456 789
• SIRET: 123 456 789 00012

The first 9 digits identify the legal entity, while the full 14-digit SIRET identifies the specific establishment.

What is a SIREN Number?

The SIREN  is the shorter, 9-digit identification number assigned to the business or legal entity itself. It is unique to that entity and remains associated with it throughout its existence. The number is not reused after the legal entity ceases to exist. 

If you have a 14-digit SIRET number, the first 9 digits give you the corresponding SIREN number.

How to Check a SIRET or SIREN Number

The easiest way to check a French business today is through the government’s Annuaire des Entreprises. 

There, you can search by SIREN or SIRET number, or by the company’s name, trading name, or address. The service provides access to information from the official business registers and can show whether an establishment is active or closed. 

What Should You Check?

When checking an artisan or company, don’t just check whether the SIRET number exists.

Compare the information returned by the official register with the information the business provides. Check the business name, address and whether the establishment is shown as active. You can also look at the company’s principal activity and its APE code, which indicates the main activity recorded for the business.

For example, if you are employing an electrician and the business’s registered activity appears unrelated to electrical work, ask about it before proceeding or accepting a quote.

The information can also help you identify whether you are dealing with the correct legal entity. This is particularly important if a business has a trading name that differs from its registered legal name.

Remember that the APE code is primarily an administrative and statistical classification. It should not by itself be treated as proof that an individual has a particular professional qualification. 

Does a SIRET Mean an Artisan is Registered and Licensed?

A valid SIRET confirms that the business or establishment is recorded in the official register. It does not, on its own, prove that an artisan is professionally qualified, properly insured or authorised to carry out every type of work.

This distinction matters especially for construction and renovation projects.

Before employing an artisan, you should therefore check their professional insurance, including appropriate assurance responsabilité civile professionnelle and, where applicable, assurance décennale for building work. 

Ask the artisan for the relevant insurance certificate, and make sure the activities and dates of cover match the work you are asking them to undertake. It is also sensible to ask for references or examples of previous work, particularly for a substantial renovation project.

A SIRET check is an excellent starting point, but it should be part of a wider check before you commit to an extensive and expensive building or renovation project.

What if the SIRET Number Cannot Be Found?

If you have been provided with a SIRET number but cannot locate it in the official database, do not immediately conclude that the business is fraudulent.

A newly established enterprise may require some time to appear in the relevant databases, and updates to information, such as changes of address, establishment, or other registration details, may also be delayed. This can take weeks, can be frustrating and is very common in France, but you should be getting used to it if you’ve been living in France for a while.

Nevertheless, if an artisan confirms that the business is operational and trading, but the SIRET number remains unverifiable, seek an explanation before making any payments or entering into any contractual agreements.

What is “SIRET en cours”?

You may occasionally encounter the phrase “SIRET en cours”, especially when dealing with a newly established business entity.

This phrase typically means the registration process is ongoing and the SIRET number has not yet been issued or is not yet accessible in the relevant database.

When working with a newly registered artisan, it is prudent to wait for confirmation of the registration details, especially before making substantial payments or starting major projects.

Can You Check the Financial Health of an Artisan?

A SIRET search provides information on a business’s identity and administrative status; however, it does not indicate the enterprise’s financial health.

For larger undertakings, it is advisable to conduct supplementary verifications. Depending on the business’s legal structure, publicly available corporate information can reveal details about its financial statements, directors, legal standing, and any insolvency or other proceedings.

It is also prudent to note that small artisans may not have publicly available financial accounts. Numerous individual enterprises and smaller businesses often do not disclose the same financial information as larger corporations.

For a significant renovation project, verifying the artisan’s insurance, obtaining references, and utilising a comprehensive written quotation and contract can be as vital as verifying the SIRET.

SIRET, SIREN, KBIS & RIB

When engaging with French commercial entities for the first time, you will likely encounter various identification documents and numbers. The SIREN number identifies the business or legal entity, while the SIRET number identifies a specific establishment. 

Additionally, the KBIS is an official extract that contains detailed information about a company registered with the French Trade and Companies Register. You can read our guide to what a Kbis is and how to obtain one.

You may also come across a RIB, or Relevé d’Identité Bancaire, when arranging payments to a French business. A RIB provides the bank details needed to make payments, including the company’s IBAN. Our guide explains what a RIB is and how to get one.

Can We Help Further?

If you are buying, renovating or maintaining a property in France, checking the people and companies you employ is an important part of protecting your investment.

We may also be able to help with other aspects of life in France, whether you are looking for a property in a specific region, arranging professional or business insurance, or finding suitable health insurance.

If you need to send money to or from France, our international currency transfer service can also help you compare exchange rates and arrange transfers.

A little research before employing an artisan can save considerable trouble later. Checking the SIRET is quick and straightforward, and it is one of the simplest checks you can make before asking a tradesperson to start work on your property in France.