How to check if a person or company is on the sanctions list (free OFAC search)

Last updated: May 21, 2026

To check if a person or company is sanctioned, screen the name against the OFAC SDN list plus the EU, UN, and BIS denied-party lists. The free OFAC Sanctions List Search covers OFAC only. One call to the LiveDataLink sanctions_screen_entity tool screens all four lists at once.

Where to screen

The U.S. Treasury runs the free OFAC Sanctions List Search (sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov), which covers the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list and other OFAC lists. But OFAC is not the only regime. A thorough screen also checks the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) consolidated list, the United Nations Security Council list, and the U.S. Commerce Department BIS denied-party lists.

The LiveDataLink sanctions_screen_entity tool screens a single name against all of those in one request.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "sanctions_screen_entity",
    "arguments": { "name": "Acme Trading LLC" }
  }
}

Related tools: sanctions_screen_batch (up to 50 names), sanctions_screen_address (match a physical address), and sanctions_search_alias (search AKAs).

What a "hit" means

Screening is fuzzy name matching, not a yes-or-no verdict. A potential match is a starting point. The workflow is: the tool flags candidates by name similarity, a human reviews each candidate against identifiers like date of birth, address, and aliases, and you resolve it as a true match or a false positive.

If you confirm a true match, U.S. persons must block the property or transaction and report it to OFAC, generally within 10 business days. Do not tip off the subject. When in doubt, consult counsel or a compliance professional.

Free versus paid platforms

Free screening (OFAC search, or the LiveDataLink sanctions tools) tells you whether a name appears on the official lists. Paid platforms like LexisNexis, Refinitiv World-Check, and Dow Jones add politically exposed persons (PEP) data, adverse media, ongoing monitoring, and case-management workflow. For a regulated KYC program you usually want that extra coverage, layered on top of the official-list screen.

FAQ

Is checking the OFAC list enough?

For a quick informal check, often yes. For compliance, screen the EU, UN, and BIS lists too, and add PEP and adverse-media coverage where your risk profile calls for it.

What if I get a partial name match?

Treat it as a candidate, not a confirmed hit. Compare additional identifiers before deciding, and document your conclusion.

How often do the lists change?

Frequently. Sanctions lists are updated as governments add or remove designations, so screen at onboarding and re-screen on a schedule.

Last updated: May 21, 2026 · LiveDataLink home