Lookup Guide
Free EIN Lookup: 5 Ways to Find an EIN (2026)
You do not need to pay a third-party service to find an EIN number. Five free methods work depending on the type of organization you are searching for. This guide covers every method step by step, and shows non-residents how to get a brand new EIN for $49.
Short Answer
A free EIN lookup means finding a 9-digit Employer Identification Number without paying a data broker. The right method depends on the entity type. Nonprofits publish EINs through the IRS. Public companies disclose EINs in SEC filings. Private LLCs and corporations are not required to publish EINs at all, so you ask them directly. This guide walks through all five free methods, then shows non-residents how to get a brand new EIN for $49 when no lookup will help.
| Method | Where | Cost | Speed | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search | apps.irs.gov/app/eos | Free | Instant | 501(c)(3) and tax-exempt orgs only; no for-profit businesses |
| SEC EDGAR Company Search | sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar | Free | Instant | Public companies and SEC-reporting entities only |
| State Business Registries | Secretary of State websites (50 states) | Free | Instant | Most states show state tax ID, not federal EIN; varies by state |
| Ask the Business (W-9 Request) | Direct contact with the business | Free | 1-5 business days | Business may refuse; requires existing business relationship |
| Call IRS at (800) 829-4933 | IRS Business Tax Line | Free | Same day (after hold) | Your own EIN only; requires identity verification; Mon-Fri 7 AM - 7 PM |
Method 1
How Do You Find a Nonprofit's EIN Using IRS Tax Exempt Search?
You find a nonprofit's EIN by searching the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Enter the organization name, city, or state. Results show the EIN, legal name, location, and tax-exempt status instantly. The tool is free and requires no account.
The IRS maintains this public database and updates it regularly. Every 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt entity that has filed with the IRS appears in it. The search returns the organization's EIN, name, city, state, country, and current exempt status. The tool also flags organizations that lost tax-exempt status, which matters for due diligence before you donate or partner.
Open the IRS Search Tool
Enter the Organization Name
Read the EIN From the Result
Download Bulk Data (Optional)
This method works only for tax-exempt organizations. For-profit LLCs and corporations do not appear here. To find a for-profit EIN, use one of the other four methods below. For the full set of options, see our EIN lookup guide.
Method 2
How Do You Find a Public Company's EIN on SEC EDGAR?
You find a public company's EIN on SEC EDGAR at sec.gov. Enter the company name or ticker, open its CIK page, and the EIN appears as the "IRS Number." Every SEC filing lists it. The lookup is free and instant for any SEC-reporting company.
SEC EDGAR holds filings from publicly traded companies and certain private firms that issued public securities. The EIN sits in the company header and on the cover page of 10-K (annual report) and 10-Q (quarterly report) filings. This makes EDGAR the fastest free route to a public company's EIN.
Search by Name or Ticker
Open the CIK Page
Check the 10-K Cover Page
Confirm the Entity
This method is limited to SEC-reporting companies. Private LLCs, partnerships, and small businesses that do not file with the SEC will not appear in EDGAR. For those, use state registries, a W-9 request, or the IRS phone line. Understanding the EIN number format helps you spot the EIN while scanning long filings.
Method 3
Can You Find an EIN Through State Business Registries?
You can sometimes find an EIN through a state business registry, but most states publish only a state tax ID, not the federal EIN. Visit the Secretary of State website for the state where the business is registered, search by company name, and check the entity details. Cost is $0.
Each state's Secretary of State office maintains a public registry of LLCs, corporations, and other entities formed there. A minority of states include EINs in these records. States including California, New York, and Texas do not publish federal EINs. Confirm what your specific state discloses before relying on a registry for the EIN.
Even when the registry hides the EIN, it still helps. You get the registered agent, principal office address, formation date, status, and officer names. You use that contact information to request the EIN directly, which connects to Method 4 below. Registries are strong tools for vendor verification and supplier due diligence regardless of whether the EIN appears.
Method 4
Can You Ask a Business for Their EIN Directly?
Yes. You ask a business for its EIN by requesting a completed W-9 form. The W-9 is the standard IRS form businesses use to share their EIN with vendors, clients, and payers. An EIN is a business identifier, not a personal one, so sharing it is routine and free.
Businesses provide EINs to vendors, contractors, banks, and any party with a legitimate reason to ask. Common triggers include a vendor-client relationship, a partnership, or a 1099 reporting duty. Request the Form W-9 in writing and most legitimate businesses return it within 1-5 business days.
What the W-9 Gives You
- The business legal name and any trade name (DBA)
- The federal tax classification (LLC, corporation, partnership)
- The EIN or, for sole proprietors, an SSN
- A signed certification you can keep for your tax records
If a business refuses to provide its EIN and you must issue a 1099, the IRS rules direct you to apply backup withholding at 24% on reportable payments. You must make a reasonable, documented effort to obtain the EIN first. Confirm backup withholding steps with a CPA, since ein.so does not give tax advice. For background, read what an EIN is and why businesses have them.
Method 5
How Do You Retrieve Your Own EIN by Calling the IRS?
You retrieve your own lost EIN by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM local time. An IRS agent verifies your identity and reads your EIN over the phone. The call is free, and the IRS provides the number the same day.
This is the official recovery path when you cannot find your CP 575 confirmation letter. The agent confirms you are an authorized party before releasing the EIN. Only the responsible party, a corporate officer, a partner, or a representative with Form 8821 or Form 2848 on file can request it.
Have These Ready Before You Call
- Your business legal name exactly as registered with the IRS
- The responsible party's full name and SSN, ITIN, or passport number
- The business mailing address on file with the IRS
- The approximate date the EIN was issued
This method works only for your own EIN. The IRS will not read another business's EIN over the phone. For other businesses, use the four public methods above. If you never had an EIN and need a new one rather than recovering a lost one, apply through ein.so for fast, error-checked filing.
For Non-Residents
How Do Non-Residents Get a New EIN When No Lookup Helps?
Non-residents get a new EIN by filing IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 and entering a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online tool needs an SSN, so it is blocked. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
A lookup only works for an EIN that already exists. A new non-resident-owned US LLC has no EIN to find, so you apply for one. The fax method is the path for applicants without an SSN. ein.so prepares the SS-4, faxes it, and emails your EIN assignment letter (CP 575). See the full application process and the SS-4 form guide.
| Path | Who It Fits | SSN Needed | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | Applicants with an SSN or ITIN | Yes | $0 | Instant |
| DIY fax (SS-4) | Non-residents, error-free form | No | $0 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so Standard | Non-residents wanting it done for them | No | $49 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so Express | Non-residents needing speed | No | $97 | 2-3 business days |
Non-resident owners of a foreign-owned single-member US LLC then file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your tax filings with a US CPA, since ein.so files the EIN and does not give tax advice. For the basics, read EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Compare
Which Free EIN Lookup Method Should You Use?
You pick the method by entity type: IRS Tax Exempt Search for nonprofits, SEC EDGAR for public companies, a W-9 request for private businesses, a state registry for entity details, and the IRS phone line for your own lost EIN. Match the entity to the source for an instant free result.
You Need a Nonprofit EIN
You Need a Public Company EIN
You Need a Private Business EIN
You Lost Your Own EIN
Avoid these EIN lookup mistakes
- Do not pay a data broker for a number you can get free from EDGAR or the IRS.
- Do not call the IRS for another company's EIN; the IRS releases only your own.
- Do not assume a state registry shows the federal EIN; most show only a state tax ID.
- Do not confuse a lookup with a new application; a non-resident with no EIN must file Form SS-4.
For deeper detail on costs and timelines when you do need a new EIN, see our EIN cost breakdown and EIN processing time guide.
Next Steps
After Your Free EIN Lookup
- Verify a nonprofit — IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos, free and instant
- Request a W-9 — the standard way private businesses share their EIN with you
- Apply for a new EIN — non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with a passport number, no SSN
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned single-member LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
Related guides: How to get an EIN | EIN without an SSN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN for a bank account | EIN cost | EIN processing time.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up any company's EIN for free?
You can look up EINs for free for nonprofits using IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, public companies using SEC EDGAR, and some state business registries. Private companies do not have to disclose their EINs publicly. For those, ask the business directly with a W-9 request. No single free database covers every for-profit business in the United States.
How do I find my own EIN if I lost it?
Check your IRS confirmation letter (CP 575), prior tax returns, bank account opening documents, or any IRS correspondence. If you cannot find it, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM local time. The IRS verifies your identity and reads your EIN over the phone. The call is free.
Is the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search really free?
Yes. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos is a free public database maintained by the IRS. It lists EINs, filing status, and Form 990 data for tax-exempt organizations including nonprofits, charities, and churches. No registration, account, or payment is required. You can also download the full dataset as a CSV file for bulk research.
Can I find an EIN on SEC EDGAR?
Yes, but only for companies that file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This covers publicly traded companies and some private firms that issued public securities. Search at sec.gov, open the company's CIK page, and the EIN appears as the IRS Number. The EIN also sits on the cover page of 10-K and 10-Q filings. This method is free and instant.
Do state business registries show EIN numbers?
Some states display EINs in their online business registries, but most do not. States including California, New York, and Texas do not publish federal EINs. You usually find a state tax ID instead. Check the specific Secretary of State website where the business is registered to confirm what records are public. Even without the EIN, registries show the registered agent and officers.
Can I call the IRS to look up another company's EIN?
No. The IRS only releases EIN information to authorized representatives of the business. You cannot call (800) 829-4933 to look up someone else's EIN. Instead, request a W-9 from the business, search SEC EDGAR for public companies, or use IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for nonprofits. The IRS protects EIN data the same way it protects other taxpayer records.
What is the difference between an EIN lookup and an EIN verification?
An EIN lookup finds a number you do not have. An EIN verification confirms a specific EIN is valid and belongs to a named business. The IRS offers no public for-profit verification tool. You can verify a nonprofit through Tax Exempt Organization Search or match the EIN to the IRS confirmation letter (CP 575). Lenders and the IRS TIN matching program handle higher-level verification.
How do non-residents get a brand new EIN without an SSN?
Non-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 online tool needs an SSN, so it is blocked for non-residents. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Is there a paid EIN lookup service worth buying?
No. The five methods in this guide are free and cover nonprofits, public companies, and any business that shares a W-9. Paid lookup services repackage the same public records. Spend money only when you need a new EIN filed for you. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents for $49, while the IRS itself charges $0 for the number.
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