EIN lookup & validator
Validate a US EIN, decode its IRS issuing office, and find official verification sources.
Runs 100% in your browserHow to look up and verify an EIN
- Enter an EIN. Type a 9-digit EIN, with or without the dash.
- Validate and decode. See whether the format is valid and which IRS office issued it.
- Verify officially. Use the linked official sources to confirm the business.
About EINs and business verification
An EIN identifies a business to the IRS for payroll, tax filings and banking. Unlike some countries’ company registries, the United States has no single public EIN directory, so you cannot simply type an EIN and get the company name. What you can do is confirm the number is well-formed and see which IRS office issued it, then verify the business through the proper channels — SEC EDGAR for public companies, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for nonprofits, or a W-9 plus IRS TIN matching for vendors. Treat this as a due-diligence aid, not proof of identity. Starting a business and need an EIN of your own? See the recommendation below.
Frequently asked questions
- An Employer Identification Number is a 9-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to US businesses, written as NN-NNNNNNN. It is like a Social Security number for a company.
- No — the IRS does not publish a public EIN-to-business directory. This tool validates the format and decodes the prefix to show which IRS office issued it, and links you to legitimate verification sources.
- The first two digits identify the IRS campus (or the online application) that assigned the EIN. Since 2001 the prefix reflects where it was issued, not the business’s location.
- For public companies, search SEC EDGAR (filings list the EIN). For nonprofits, use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. For vendors, ask for a W-9 and use IRS TIN matching.
- No. Validation and prefix decoding happen entirely in your browser. The verification links open official sites only when you click them.