SIREN number
A unique nine-digit identifier assigned to each legal entity by INSEE. It follows the company throughout its life and acts as the key to find it in public registers, including ORIAS. Distinct from the SIRET, which identifies each establishment of a given company.
Key points
- A 9-digit identifier assigned once and for all to each legal entity by INSEE.
- Unique access key in all public registers: ORIAS, RCS, Infogreffe, BODACC.
- Remains unchanged regardless of company changes (relocation, activity change).
- Distinct from the SIRET (14 digits), which identifies each physical establishment.
Frequently asked questions
How do you find your SIREN number if you have lost it?
The SIREN number appears on the Kbis extract, INSEE status notices, payslips and all official company documents. It can also be looked up for free on public databases such as Societe.com or the national companies register. As a last resort, INSEE can be contacted directly to confirm the identifier associated with a company.
Why is the SIREN more stable than the ORIAS number?
The SIREN number is assigned at company creation and never changes, even in the event of a legal transformation (converting from a single-member LLC to a simplified joint-stock company, for example). The ORIAS number, on the other hand, can be suspended or cancelled for failure to renew or regulatory non-compliance. For banking partners, the SIREN is therefore the most reliable long-term identification key.
What is the difference between SIREN and SIRET in a banking file?
The SIREN identifies the legal entity as a whole, while the SIRET (SIREN + 5-digit NIC) identifies each distinct physical establishment. For a single-office brokerage, the two almost coincide: the SIRET is the SIREN followed by the establishment code. If the firm opens a second office, it will have a different SIRET but the same SIREN. Banks generally use the SIRET of the relevant establishment for day-to-day transactions.
In practice
When filling in the membership form for a professional brokers' association, a manager enters their SIREN so the association can automatically verify their ORIAS and RCS registration without requesting additional documents.
Official sources
- SIREN number (definition) · INSEE
- Article L519-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code · Légifrance
- Prudential supervision and resolution authority · ACPR (Banque de France)