What is a SIRET?
A SIRET is a 14-digit French establishment identifier. It combines the nine-digit SIREN of the legal unit with a five-digit NIC establishment code. Use SIRET when the question is about a specific location or site; use SIREN when the question is about the legal unit.
Full name: French SIRET Number
Short explanation
The SIRET number identifies an establishment in France's Sirene register. It is built from the legal unit's SIREN plus a five-digit NIC code assigned to the establishment. That structure makes SIRET useful for location-level questions, such as matching a branch, site, or office. It should not replace SIREN when the fact belongs to the legal unit as a whole.
Related platform: Entity graph - resolved organization records
How it’s used
- French establishment lookup: SIRET points to a specific site, office, or establishment linked to a legal unit.
- Location matching: a company with several establishments can share one SIREN but hold separate SIRET values for each establishment.
- Fonteum treats SIRET as a location-level identifier so addresses and operating sites are not merged into one legal-entity-only record.
Frequently asked questions
- How many digits are in a SIRET?
- A SIRET has 14 digits: the nine-digit SIREN plus a five-digit NIC establishment code.
- What does a SIRET identify?
- A SIRET identifies a specific establishment, such as a site, office, branch, or operating location.
- Why does a SIRET start with a SIREN?
- The SIRET embeds the legal unit's SIREN, then adds the NIC code that distinguishes one establishment from another.
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