LEI Data Corroboration: How the Global LEI System Validates Entity Information

How do you know the data behind an LEI is accurate? The answer lies in corroboration — the process that transforms self-reported entity information into verified, trustworthy data. With 87.64% of all LEI records now fully corroborated as of February 2026, the Global LEI System continues to set the standard for reliable organizational identity data.

This article explains what corroboration means, why it matters more than ever, and how it affects your LEI record.

What corroboration means for LEI data

Corroboration is the process of verifying a legal entity’s reference data — such as its name, address, legal form, and corporate structure — against authoritative public sources. These sources include business registries, financial supervisors, and other recognized authorities worldwide.

When you apply for an LEI, you provide your entity’s details to an LEI issuer. The issuer then checks this information against publicly available records maintained by official registration authorities. GLEIF maintains a Registration Authorities List that currently covers more than 1,050 business registers and authority sources across 232 jurisdictions.

Each LEI record includes the Registration Authority ID, the Validation Authority ID, and the entity’s registration identifier. This transparency means any data user can see exactly which source validated the information.

The three levels of corroboration

The Global LEI System uses three distinct levels to indicate how thoroughly each record has been validated:

• Fully Corroborated: All reference data elements have been validated against public authoritative sources. This is the gold standard and applies to the vast majority of LEI records.

• Partially Corroborated: At least one data element could not be validated against a public authoritative source. This typically happens when a local authority does not collect or publicly disclose certain data elements.

• Entity Supplied Only: No public authoritative source is available. The LEI issuer has reviewed the information the entity provided, but independent verification against public data is not possible. This usually applies to entities that are not required to register with a public authority, or where privacy or legal constraints restrict public disclosure.

As of February 2026, the breakdown across the entire Global LEI System looks like this: 87.64% of records are fully corroborated, 3.86% are partially corroborated, and 8.5% are entity supplied only.

Why corroboration matters in the age of AI

The growing role of AI and automation in business decisions makes corroborated data more important than ever. AI models and automated systems depend on structured, trustworthy data to produce accurate results. Without authoritative validation, inaccurate or unverified entity information can spread through automated workflows and lead to flawed outputs.

GLEIF recently highlighted this connection in a Pulse Poll, where authoritative data validation emerged as a leading factor influencing decision-makers’ trust in data. The concern is well-founded. As data moves through automated pipelines — reused, redistributed, and embedded into AI-driven systems — the risks of misinformation, deepfakes, and AI hallucinations grow.

Corroborated LEI data addresses this by providing a clear audit trail and traceable data provenance. Every piece of validated information links back to a specific authoritative source, giving data users confidence in what they rely on.

How GLEIF monitors data quality

GLEIF does not leave data quality to chance. The organization publishes monthly data quality reports (available since 2017) and operates the LEI Data Monitoring Dashboard. This dashboard offers a detailed view of how LEI records are validated across jurisdictions, broken down by LEI issuer and country.

This public transparency serves a dual purpose. It holds LEI issuers accountable for maintaining high validation standards, and it gives stakeholders the tools to assess data quality on their own. GLEIF also introduced the Policy Conformity Flag, which makes it clear to global data users whether an LEI record is up to date and complete with relationship reporting.

The result is a system designed for continuous improvement. Each LEI issuer must comply with the GLEIF Registration Authorities List and implement updates within a defined time frame after each new version is published.

What this means for your LEI

A fully corroborated LEI record carries more weight. Regulators, counterparties, and automated systems all treat verified data with greater trust. If your LEI record is fully corroborated, it means every key detail — your entity’s legal name, registered address, legal form, and ownership structure — has been independently confirmed against an official source.

To keep your LEI record in good standing:

• Renew on time. Lapsed LEI records often show lower corroboration levels compared to current ones.
• Keep your details accurate. If your entity’s name, address, or legal form changes, update your LEI promptly.
• Verify your record. You can check the corroboration level of any LEI through the GLEIF Global LEI Index, which is free and publicly accessible.

Need to apply for a new LEI, renew an existing one, or transfer your LEI? LEI Register handles the process quickly — your LEI is typically issued within hours.