Before hiring a builder, plumber, electrician, roofer, service provider or other professional in France, you can use their SIRET or SIREN to check the business against official French public records.
A SIRET check is quick and completely free. It allows you to confirm that the business legally exists, identify who owns or directs it, verify their registered commercial address, and check whether their registration is currently active or ceased.
Quick Summary: How to Check a French SIRET in 4 Steps1. Obtain the number: Ask for the business's 14-digit SIRET or 9-digit SIREN from their quote (devis), invoice, or official paperwork.
2. Search the official register: Look up the number on the French government's Annuaire des Entreprises (`annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr`).
3. Verify the details: Match the registered legal name, establishment address, active trading status, and recorded APE/NAF activity with what the contractor told you.
4. Check insurance separately: For construction or renovation trades, inspect the contractor's Assurance Décennale certificate directly. A valid SIRET does not prove insurance.
Check a French SIRET or SIREN Number
Query live official French government records (INSEE / Annuaire des Entreprises / RNE) to confirm active legal registration and establishment details.
Official French Business Register Update (2026)
The legacy Sirene.fr business search portal closed permanently in December 2025. Official French company and establishment searches are now consolidated into the French government's Annuaire des Entreprises (`annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr`). For downloading an official certified status sheet, the INSEE Avis de situation service remains available.
Why Check a SIRET Number?
In France, every registered business, company, self-employed artisan (micro-entrepreneur), and sole trader is assigned unique identification numbers by the national statistical agency (INSEE).
Checking this information helps you:
- Confirm legal existence: Verify that the enterprise is formally registered with the French National Business Register (Registre National des Entreprises / INPI) and INSEE's SIRENE directory.
- Confirm the establishment: Ensure that the specific office, workshop, or depot carrying out your work corresponds to the address on your quote.
- Check trading status: Ensure the business is active (en activité) rather than closed, suspended, or in liquidation (cessée).
- Verify company directors and legal form: Confirm the identity of the person legally responsible for the enterprise and whether it operates as an Entreprise Individuelle (EI), SARL, EURL, or SAS.
- Avoid unregistered trading (travail dissimulé): In France, hiring an unregistered contractor can leave you liable for fines, invalidate your home insurance, and strip you of legal consumer protections.
SIREN vs SIRET: What Is the Difference?
Many property owners confuse SIREN and SIRET numbers. Both are issued by INSEE, but they serve two distinct identification functions.
The 9-Digit SIREN Number
The SIREN (Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Entreprises) is a unique 9-digit number that identifies the legal entity as a whole.
- Assigned once when the business is created.
- Remains unchanged throughout the lifetime of the business, even if the enterprise changes its trade name, moves to a new department, or opens new branches.
- Example format: `820 112 787`
The 14-Digit SIRET Number
The SIRET (Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Établissements) is a 14-digit number that identifies a specific geographic establishment of that business.
- Formed by combining the 9-digit SIREN with a 5-digit NIC (Numéro Interne de Classement):
`[9-digit SIREN] + [5-digit NIC] = 14-digit SIRET`
- The NIC identifies the head office (siège social) or secondary establishment (établissement secondaire).
- If a business relocates its registered premises to a new commune or premises, its SIREN stays the same, but its NIC and SIRET will change.
- Example format: `820 112 787 00032`
How to Check a French SIRET in Practice
You can verify any SIRET or SIREN directly through official French administrative channels:
1. The Official Portal: Annuaire des Entreprises
The primary search tool provided by the French government is the Annuaire des Entreprises (`annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr`). This service aggregates public records from INSEE, the National Business Register (INPI), the commercial courts, and certification authorities.
You can search using:
- The 14-digit SIRET
- The 9-digit SIREN
- The legal company name or trade name
- The town or postal address
2. INSEE Avis de Situation
If you require an official administrative confirmation sheet (Avis de situation au répertoire Sirene), you can generate a free, downloadable PDF directly from INSEE by entering the 9-digit SIREN or 14-digit SIRET.
What to Look for in the Results
When checking an artisan or company record on the official directory, inspect these five key data fields:
1. Legal Name vs Commercial Name
Verify the exact registered name. For an Entreprise Individuelle (EI) or micro-enterprise, the legal name is always the individual's personal surname and first name (for example, DUPONT JEAN). The trade name (such as Dordogne Heritage Roofing) may appear as a commercial sign (enseigne), but the legal registration is always tied to the individual.
2. Establishment Address
Check that the registered establishment address matches the business address shown on your written quote (devis). If an artisan quotes you with an address in Périgueux but the SIRET is registered to an address in Paris, ask why. While businesses can work regionally, a discrepancy often indicates an out-of-date address or a secondary entity.
3. Active vs Ceased Status
Look at the État de l'entreprise and État de l'établissement. It must clearly indicate Actif (En activité).
- If the record shows Cessée, the business has closed down. An unregistered or ceased business cannot legally issue quotes, contract work, or provide valid insurance.
- If the establishment is marked Fermé, that specific premises has closed, even if the parent SIREN remains open elsewhere.
4. Principal Activity Code (Code APE / NAF)
Every registered establishment is assigned a 4-digit plus 1-letter activity code (e.g. `43.21A` for electrical installation, `43.91B` for roofing). Check that the registered trade roughly corresponds to the scope of work you are commissioning. If someone quoting for a major roof replacement is registered under computer consultancy or general cleaning, query their credentials immediately.
5. Mathematical Check Digit (Luhn Algorithm)
The SIRET sequence is constructed with a mathematical checksum. The 14th digit is calculated using the standard Luhn algorithm across the preceding 13 numbers. While a valid checksum confirms that a number follows legitimate French formatting, it does not confirm that the enterprise exists in the public registry. Both checks are necessary.
How to Handle Discrepancies: Diagnosis Guide
If the public records do not match the paperwork provided by your contractor, use this reference table to evaluate the situation:
| Discrepancy Observed | Likely Explanation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Trading name differs from registry name | Sole traders (Entreprises Individuelles) register under their personal surname, using trading names only as commercial signs. | Confirm that the personal name on the registry matches the person signing the quote and bank details. |
| Address on quote differs from establishment | The contractor may have moved premises without updating the registry, or operates from a secondary workshop. | Ask for an up-to-date Avis de situation from INSEE or a written explanation of their registered seat. |
| SIREN matches but SIRET NIC is different | The quote displays the head office SIRET rather than the local establishment, or vice-versa. | Acceptable as long as both establishments belong to the same active SIREN and the same legal entity. |
| Record displays "Entreprise cessée" | The business has been liquidated, deregistered, or dissolved. | Do not proceed or pay any money. Work carried out by a ceased business is unlawful and uninsured. |
| APE / NAF code completely unrelated to work | The business registered under a minor activity or expanded without updating INSEE records. | Request written proof of trade qualification and specific insurance covering the actual trade being executed. |
| Zero results found for SIRET / SIREN | The number is fictional, mistyped, or not yet registered with the Greffe or CMA. | Request the contractor's formal Certificat d'inscription RNE or wait until registration appears on the register. |
Beyond the SIRET: The Essential Insurance Check
A clean, active SIRET is a mandatory prerequisite, but it does not prove that a contractor is insured or competent.
For all construction, renovation, structural, roofing, plumbing, and electrical works, French law requires artisans to carry Assurance Responsabilité Civile Décennale (10-year structural warranty insurance).
What You Must Request
Before accepting any quote:
- Demand an Attestation d'Assurance Décennale: Ask for the contractor's valid insurance certificate for the current calendar year.
- Check the policy dates: Ensure the policy is active on the date work commences.
- Verify the covered activities: Ensure the certificate explicitly covers the specific trade being undertaken (e.g. charpente, maçonnerie, électricité).
- Call the insurer directly: Use the policy number and contact details on the certificate to confirm directly with the broker or insurer that the policy is current and paid up.
SIRET Checks Are Only the First Step
Checking the SIRET is a valuable first layer of due diligence, but it should not be treated as a complete contractor verification process on its own.
Before contacting or commissioning a business, you should also consider other critical factors:
- Appropriate insurance coverage: Verifying that a decennial or civil liability policy explicitly covers the specific trade being undertaken.
- Demonstrated local experience: Reviewing previous projects, client references, and familiarity with regional building techniques.
- Defined geographic service area: Ensuring that your commune falls within the contractor's standard travel radius to avoid unexpected call-out surcharges.
- Customer feedback and reputation: Looking for independently authenticated client reviews rather than unverified testimonials.
- Transparent quoting practices: Examining how clearly the business explains its quoting process, unit costs, materials, and milestone payment schedules.
See our guide on what customers need on a local business profile for a detailed checklist of the information worth looking for when comparing local trades and services in Southwest France.
Practical Next Steps for Property Owners
When commissioning trades in Southwest France, follow this systematic order of verification:
- Collect the devis: Ensure the quote displays the 14-digit SIRET, legal name, address, and insurance broker details.
- Run the online check: Use the interactive tool above or the Annuaire des Entreprises to confirm active legal registration.
- Inspect the insurance attestation: Ensure decennial insurance specifically covers the trade and dates required.
- Clarify deposit terms: Never pay more than 20% to 30% as an initial deposit, and never pay the final balance until works are inspected and approved.
If you are looking for vetted professionals across Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, or Gironde, browse our directory of verified local businesses where registration and insurance attestations are systematically reviewed.
Sources & Official References
- Annuaire des Entreprises (Service Public Français): `https://annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr`
- INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques): Répertoire SIRENE & Avis de situation
- INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle): Registre National des Entreprises (RNE)
- Code des assurances (Article L. 241-1): Obligations relatives à l'assurance décennale obligatoire en France
- Article verified and updated: October 2026
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