EIN Search For Business Verification: 6 Methods (Free + Paid)

Had to verify about 50 EINs last month for new vendors we were bringing on. Started checking them manually through state websites and public records.

Took way longer than expected. Some numbers checked out right away, others required hunting through multiple databases, and a few just led nowhere.

Realized there are actually tons of different ways to verify EINs. Free methods that take time and manual work. Paid services that do everything automatically. APIs that handle bulk verification.

The approach that works depends on your situation. How many EINs you’re checking, how often do you do this, and whether you need answers immediately?

Figured I’d document what actually works since everyone seems to struggle with this same problem. Before discussing methods, here’s why EIN search became such a big deal in the first place.

Why is EIN Search Mandatory For Business Verification in the U.S.

Employer Identification Number (EIN) search became standard because it fixes real problems businesses deal with constantly.

Banks need it for anti-money laundering rules and to stay compliant with regulations. Government agencies won’t hand out contracts or licenses without verified EINs. Vendors check EINs to avoid getting stiffed on payments and make sure they’re dealing with actual businesses.

For you, EIN search confirms you’re working with real companies before you extend credit or cut big checks. It’s just how you establish trust in business relationships.

6 Methods to Look Up a Business EIN

There are several ways to find a business EIN, ranging from free manual searches to automated API solutions. Each method has different trade-offs in terms of cost, speed, and reliability.

Quick Comparison Table of All 6 Methods to Look Up a Business EIN
Method	Cost	Speed	Accuracy	Best For
Ask Business Directly	Free	Fast	High	One-off verifications
Public Business Documents	Free	Slow	Medium	Research projects
Secretary of State Databases	Free-$10	Medium	High	State-registered businesses
SEC EDGAR Database	Free	Medium	High	Public companies only
Business Credit Reports	$20-50	Fast	High	Credit decisions
EIN Lookup APIs	$0.10-2 per lookup	Instant	Very High	High-volume verification

Now you know your options – let’s discuss the specifics of each method. Method 6 should be your best bet if you’re doing things at scale.

Method 1: Ask the Business Directly

The most straightforward approach is simply asking the business for their EIN. Most legitimate companies provide this information readily since it’s not considered sensitive data like SSNs.

You can request EINs through Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification), which businesses are legally required to complete for tax reporting purposes. Many businesses include their EIN on invoices, contracts, or official letterhead, making it easily accessible during normal business interactions.

The downside is that fraudulent companies might provide fake EINs, and you have no way to verify accuracy without using additional methods.

Method 2: Check Public Business Documents

Many businesses file public documents that contain their EIN, including court filings, trademark applications, and government contract records. These documents are available through various online databases and government websites, though finding them requires some detective work and patience.

Method 3: Secretary of State Databases

Most states require businesses to register and file annual reports that sometimes include EIN information. Each state maintains searchable databases where you can look up business entities by name, registered agent, or filing number.

The process varies by state, but here’s what typically works:

• Business Entity Search: Look up the company name in the state’s business entity database
• Annual Reports: Check recent annual reports or amendments that may list the EIN
• Articles of Incorporation: Review formation documents for EIN disclosure
• UCC Filings: Search Uniform Commercial Code filings that often include EINs
• Professional Licenses: Check if the business holds professional licenses listing their EIN

Some states charge small fees ($5-10) for detailed reports, but basic searches are usually free. This method works well for established businesses, but newer companies might not have filed documents containing their EIN yet.

Method 4: SEC EDGAR Database

Publicly traded companies must file regular reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and these documents often contain EIN information. The EDGAR database provides free access to these filings, making it easy to find EINs for public companies.

Search by company name or ticker symbol to find 10-K annual reports, 10-Q quarterly reports, or 8-K current reports. The EIN typically appears in the company information section of these documents. This method only works for public companies, so it’s limited but highly reliable when applicable.

Method 5: Business Credit Reports

Commercial credit reporting agencies like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business often include EIN information in their reports. You can purchase business credit reports that contain the EIN along with other valuable business information.

Here’s what you typically get:

• Company Overview: Basic business information, including EIN, address, and contact details
• Credit History: Payment patterns, credit utilization, and outstanding debts
• Financial Information: Revenue estimates, employee count, and industry classification
• Legal Filings: Bankruptcies, liens, judgments, and other public records
• Corporate Structure: Parent companies, subsidiaries, and ownership details

Reports cost depends on the provider and detail level. This method provides comprehensive business intelligence beyond just the EIN, making it valuable for due diligence and risk assessment.

Method 6: Signzy’s EIN Lookup API

Signzy’s EIN Lookup API and similar services provide instant EIN search and verification capabilities that integrate directly into your business systems.

These services access multiple databases simultaneously to find and verify EIN information in real time.

Key features include:

• Instant Results: Get EIN information in seconds through automated API calls
• Bulk Processing: Verify hundreds or thousands of EINs simultaneously
• Data Validation: Confirm EIN format, check digit validation and active status
• Integration Ready: Easy integration with existing CRM, accounting, or compliance systems
• Compliance Features: Audit trails, data retention controls, and regulatory reporting

This method scales efficiently for businesses processing large volumes of EIN searches. More details on API solutions and implementation are in the next section.

Steps to Conduct EIN Search for Business Verification

Most manual EIN search methods involve jumping between different websites, cross-referencing information, and still ending up with incomplete data. Here’s how it works when you do it with Signzy:

1.   Submit EIN or Company Name for Search

Submit either the company’s EIN or business name to get a list of matching companies. The search returns all businesses that match your criteria, including company ID, name, location, and when the data was last updated.

If multiple companies have similar names, you’ll see all variations to pick the right one.

2.   Review Search Results and Select Target Business

Review the search results to identify the specific company you need to verify. Each result includes the business name, city, state, zip code, and a unique company ID that you’ll use for the detailed lookup. This step ensures you’re verifying the right business when similar company names exist.

3.   Retrieve Full Business Profile Using Company ID

Use the company ID from Step 1 to retrieve complete business information, including the verified EIN, full address, contact details, employee count, revenue estimates, and industry classification.

4.   Cross-Reference Returned Data Against Your Records

Compare the returned EIN and business details against your records or the information provided by the business. The API response includes verification flags that indicate data accuracy and freshness, helping you assess the reliability of the information.

5.   Save Verification Results for Compliance Documentation

Save the verification results for compliance purposes. Each search generates a unique search log ID that provides an audit trail for regulatory reporting and internal record-keeping requirements.

The entire process takes mere a few seconds, and

End-to-end automation of Business Verification Along with EIN Search

EIN search is just one piece of the business verification puzzle. You also need to range from other things like business registration, addresses, legal issues, and entity formation details.

Doing all this manually across different platforms takes hours and still leaves gaps.

With Signzy, you can automate the entire business verification process in one API call. Submit basic business information and get comprehensive verification that includes:

• Business Registration Verification: Confirms entity exists with Secretary of State and validates current status
• EIN and Tax ID Validation: Verifies tax identification numbers match business records
• Address and Location Verification: Validates business addresses and checks property delivery status
• Watchlist and Sanctions Screening: Screens against OFAC, BIS, and other regulatory watchlists
• Legal Filing Analysis: Searches UCC liens, tax liens, bankruptcies, and litigation records
• Document Retrieval: Automatically fetches articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, and UCC documents
• Compliance Reporting: Generates comprehensive PDF reports with audit trails for regulatory requirements

The entire process takes minutes instead of hours, and you get verified, comprehensive business intelligence instead of hoping your manual searches cover everything important. To know more, book a demo here.

isme kuch dekhna hai kya?