Before you search
Collect the vendor’s legal registered name, location, company identifiers and known former names where lawful. Confirm the scope of relevant jurisdictions with your compliance team.
Screen the name and review candidates
Search the legal name and relevant trading names. Treat fuzzy matches as leads rather than findings. Use the published official source link and corroborating details.
Add registry and ownership checks
Sanctions screening is not the same as confirming corporate existence or beneficial ownership. Check the relevant national business registry through its official website and assess ownership, control and local compliance duties separately.
Keep a defensible audit trail
Document the search terms, public data coverage, date, potential matches, supporting identity evidence and human decision. Rescreen where policy or risk changes require it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sanctions search verify company registration?
No. Registration is handled by the relevant national company registry.
Does a no-match result certify a vendor as safe?
No. It is only a name-screening result for the available lists.
Can I use a screening receipt in an audit?
Yes, as evidence that an initial search occurred, alongside independent verification and your internal records.
US Treasury OFAC Sanctions List Service · UN Security Council Consolidated List