Lookup
EIN Lookup by Company Name (2026) Guide
Search for an EIN by company name: IRS Tax Exempt Search (nonprofits), SEC EDGAR (public companies), state databases, or request IRS Form W-9 directly from the business. Need a new EIN? ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
Search for an EIN by company name using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (nonprofits, free), SEC EDGAR (public companies, free), or a state Secretary of State database. Private company EINs are not in any public directory. The standard method for a private business is to request IRS Form W-9 directly. The IRS treats a private EIN as confidential. If your search returns nothing because the company is new and has no EIN, you need an application, not a lookup. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-US residents in 4-7 business days for $49.
An EIN is a 9-digit Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS in the format XX-XXXXXXX. It identifies a business for federal tax purposes. Whether you can look it up by company name depends entirely on the type of organization. Nonprofits and public companies disclose their EINs by law. Private companies do not. This page covers every legitimate lookup method, explains why private EINs stay hidden, and shows non-residents how to apply for a brand-new EIN when no lookup will help.
| Lookup Goal | Best Method | Public? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a nonprofit's EIN | IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search | Yes | Free |
| Find a public company's EIN | SEC EDGAR | Yes | Free |
| Find a registered business | State Secretary of State | Sometimes | Free |
| Find a private vendor's EIN | Request IRS Form W-9 | No | Free |
| Recover your own lost EIN | CP 575 letter or IRS phone line | N/A | Free |
| Get a new EIN (non-resident) | File Form SS-4 with ein.so | N/A | $49 |
Search Methods
What Are the Ways to Look Up an EIN by Company Name?
Five methods exist to look up an EIN by company name: the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, SEC EDGAR, state Secretary of State databases, a direct IRS Form W-9 request, and paid commercial data services. The first four are free. Only nonprofits and public companies appear in public databases.
Each method works for a different category of organization. Match the method to the entity type, and use the exact legal name rather than the brand or DBA name. A partial name returns no match.
| Method | Works For | Searches By | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Tax Exempt Search | Registered nonprofits | Name, city, state | Free |
| SEC EDGAR | Public companies | Name or ticker | Free |
| State Secretary of State | Registered businesses | Legal entity name | Free |
| IRS Form W-9 request | Any business you transact with | Direct request | Free |
| Commercial services | Any (limited coverage) | Name | Paid |
The W-9 request is the only method that reliably reaches a private company. The IRS does not publish private EINs, so a direct request is the standard business practice. The remaining sections explain each method in detail.
Nonprofits
How Do I Find a Nonprofit's EIN by Name?
Find a nonprofit's EIN using the free IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Enter the organization's name, then filter by city and state. The results list the EIN, the legal name, the location, and the federal tax-exempt status. This tool covers organizations that the IRS recognizes as tax-exempt.
Open the IRS Tool
Enter the Organization Name
Filter by City and State
Read the Result
Nonprofits also file IRS Form 990 each year, which is a public document. Third-party sites such as ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and Candid GuideStar index Form 990 data and display EINs. These sites pull from the same public filings, so they confirm what the IRS tool returns.
Public Companies
How Do I Find a Public Company's EIN by Name?
Find a public company's EIN using SEC EDGAR at sec.gov/edgar, the free full-text search system from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Search the company name or ticker symbol, open a recent filing such as a 10-K, and read the EIN on the cover page labeled "I.R.S. Employer Identification No."
Public companies must disclose their EIN in SEC filings by law. The cover page of an annual report (Form 10-K) and a quarterly report (Form 10-Q) lists the EIN near the company name and state of incorporation. EDGAR holds decades of filings, so even delisted companies often remain searchable.
| Filing | Where the EIN Appears | Filed |
|---|---|---|
| Form 10-K | Cover page header | Annually |
| Form 10-Q | Cover page header | Quarterly |
| Form 8-K | Cover page header | On material events |
| Form S-1 | Registration cover page | Before IPO |
To open a filing, search the company in EDGAR, click the company's filing history, then open the most recent 10-K. The EIN sits beside the phrase "I.R.S. Employer Identification No." on the first page. This method works only for companies that file with the SEC.
Private Companies
How Do I Get a Private Company's EIN by Name?
Get a private company's EIN by requesting IRS Form W-9 directly from the business, because no public database lists private EINs. A business you pay $600 or more in a year for services must provide a completed W-9 showing its legal name and EIN. Collect the W-9 before you make the first payment.
The IRS treats a private company's EIN as confidential business information. There is no public IRS directory of private EINs, and no free tool returns them by name. This is by design, not an oversight. Your reliable options are limited.
Request IRS Form W-9
Check State Databases
Search Public Documents
Use Commercial Data Services
If your search returns nothing because the company is brand new and has never had an EIN, no lookup method will help. That entity needs to apply for an EIN. Non-residents handle that through the EIN application process.
Recover Your Own
How Do I Look Up My Own EIN if I Lost It?
Look up your own lost EIN on your IRS confirmation letter (CP 575), a prior business tax return, an old bank account application, or a past payroll filing. If no record survives, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during US business hours to retrieve it.
Your EIN does not change once issued, so any old document that used it remains a valid source. Check these places in order before calling the IRS.
CP 575 Confirmation Letter
Prior Tax Return
Bank and Payment Records
IRS Phone Line
If you discover that your business never had an EIN, you need to apply for one. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method described below, which ein.so handles end to end.
No EIN Yet
What if the Lookup Fails Because There Is No EIN Yet?
If a lookup fails because the business has no EIN, you need to apply, not search. A brand-new company has no EIN until the IRS issues one. Non-US residents file IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 and enter a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS charges $0.
The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, so it is blocked for most non-residents. The fax method using Form SS-4 is the working path. ein.so prepares the SS-4, faxes it, and returns the EIN by email.
Confirm You Have a US Entity
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive the EIN
| Path | Method | Identification | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | Web form | Requires SSN | Instant | $0 |
| DIY fax | Form SS-4 by fax | Passport on Line 7b | 4-7 business days | $0 |
| ein.so Standard | Form SS-4 by fax | Passport on Line 7b | 4-7 business days | $49 |
| ein.so Express | Form SS-4 by fax | Passport on Line 7b | 2-3 business days | $97 |
The IRS never charges for the EIN itself. ein.so charges for the filing service: preparing the SS-4 correctly, faxing it, and handling IRS follow-up. Read more on EIN cost and EIN processing time, or start at the EIN without SSN guide.
Compliance
What Do I Do After I Have an EIN?
After you have an EIN, open a US business bank account, connect payment processors, and meet your annual federal filing duties. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000.
The EIN is the starting point, not the finish line. Use it to access US banking and stay compliant.
Annual filing for foreign-owned LLCs
- A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year.
- The penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000.
- Most US LLCs must also file a Beneficial Ownership Information report. Review BOI filing.
- Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA. ein.so files the EIN and does not provide tax advice.
What the EIN unlocks
- A US business bank account at Mercury or Relay. See EIN for a bank account.
- Payment processing through US-entity accounts.
- Federal tax filing as a US business.
- A US tax interview on platforms like Amazon.
ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not give tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters to confirm your Form 5472, Form 1120, and BOI duties. See the full EIN for non-residents guide.
Next Steps
Your Next Steps After the EIN Lookup
- Found an existing EIN? Verify it against an official source such as a W-9 or an SEC filing before you rely on it.
- Need a new EIN as a non-resident? Start the EIN application process — no SSN required.
- No SSN? Read how to get an EIN without an SSN and the SS-4 form guide.
- Opening a bank account? See EIN for a bank account.
- Annual compliance? File Form 5472 and your BOI report on time.
Related lookups: EIN lookup | EIN lookup IRS | EIN verification | Free EIN lookup. Pricing details on EIN cost and timelines on EIN processing time. Country guides at EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up an EIN by company name?
Yes, for some businesses. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search returns EINs for registered nonprofits by name, city, and state. SEC EDGAR returns EINs for public companies that file with the SEC. Private company EINs are not in any public database. The standard method for a private company is to request IRS Form W-9 directly.
Is there a free EIN search by name?
Yes, for two categories. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos is free for nonprofits. SEC EDGAR at sec.gov/edgar is free for public companies. No free public tool covers all private businesses. A W-9 request to the business is also free and works for any company that pays or is paid by you.
How do I get a vendor's EIN for a 1099?
Request IRS Form W-9 from the vendor before you pay them. A business that you pay $600 or more in a year for services must provide a completed W-9 with its legal name and EIN. The W-9 gives you the taxpayer identification number you need to file Form 1099-NEC. Collect the W-9 before the first payment.
What information do I need to search for an EIN by name?
You need the exact legal name of the entity, not its DBA or brand name. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you filter by city and state to narrow results. SEC EDGAR accepts the company name or ticker symbol. State Secretary of State databases search by registered legal name. A wrong or partial name returns no match.
Can I find an EIN on Google?
Sometimes. Nonprofits publish EINs on IRS Form 990, and that data appears on sites like ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and GuideStar. Public companies list EINs in SEC filings indexed by search engines. Private company EINs rarely appear online. A Google search is unreliable for private businesses and should not replace a W-9 request.
Can I look up my own EIN if I lost it?
Yes. Check your IRS EIN confirmation letter (CP 575), your prior business tax return, old bank account paperwork, or a past payroll filing. If none survive, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during US business hours. If you never had an EIN and need one as a non-resident, ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
Does ein.so help me find an existing EIN?
No. ein.so does not run private EIN searches or sell data. ein.so files IRS Form SS-4 to obtain a new EIN for non-US residents who do not have one. Standard processing costs $49 and takes 4-7 business days. Express costs $97 and takes 2-3 business days. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
Why can't I find a private company's EIN online?
An EIN for a private company is treated as confidential business information. The IRS does not publish a public directory of private business EINs. Only nonprofits (via Form 990) and public companies (via SEC filings) have their EINs in public databases by legal mandate. For a private vendor, request Form W-9 directly.
How do non-US residents get an EIN when they have no SSN?
Non-US residents file IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 and enter their passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online EIN tool is blocked because it requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
What is the difference between an EIN lookup and an EIN application?
An EIN lookup finds an EIN that already exists for a known business. An EIN application requests a brand-new EIN from the IRS for a business that does not have one yet. If your search returns nothing because the entity is new, you need an application, not a lookup. ein.so handles new applications for $49.
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