Business verification in France
VBC certifies businesses registered in France. Verification starts from the official record: in France the company register is maintained by the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés, through the Guichet Unique, and the entity is identified by its SIREN (nine digits), with SIRET identifying each establishment.
France distinguishes the legal entity, identified by its SIREN, from each physical establishment, identified by a SIRET built from the SIREN plus a five-digit suffix. Verification confirms which establishment the certificate refers to.
Where a business is registered for tax, the numéro de TVA intracommunautaire is reviewed alongside the registration record, since it provides an independent corroborating identifier.
Why French businesses certify
French buyers commonly request a recent Kbis extract before contracting. The distinction between the legal entity and each establishment matters in practice, so a certificate should be clear about which establishment it refers to.
What VBC verifies for a French business
Depending on the certification level, the review may cover legal identity and registration records, the registered business address, working contact details, website ownership and digital presence, supporting documentation and evidence of current business activity.
Documents a French business commonly supplies at Enhanced level:
- Extrait Kbis, dated within three months
- Statuts (articles of association)
- VAT number confirmation
- Proof of the registered establishment
Levels, fees and process
Three levels apply everywhere VBC operates — Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250, Trusted at $500 — and the eight-stage process is the same in every country. Only the paperwork differs, because each national registry issues its own records. See what each fee covers and the eight stages in detail.
Public verification
Every VBC certificate issued to a French business carries a unique certificate ID and appears on the public register. Customers, suppliers and partners can check its current status themselves, without an account and without contacting the business first.
Verify a certificate or browse the directory.
Questions from French businesses
Can a business registered in France get VBC certified?
Yes. VBC certifies businesses registered in France. Verification is based on records from the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés, through the Guichet Unique, together with the address, contact and digital-presence evidence required at the certification level chosen.
What documents does a French business need for VBC certification?
At Enhanced level a French business normally supplies: extrait Kbis, dated within three months; statuts (articles of association); vAT number confirmation; proof of the registered establishment. The numéro de TVA intracommunautaire is normally reviewed alongside it. Exact requirements depend on the level and are confirmed during review.
What is the SIREN (nine digits), with SIRET identifying each establishment used for in verification?
The SIREN (nine digits), with SIRET identifying each establishment identifies the legal entity on the register maintained by the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés, through the Guichet Unique. VBC uses it to confirm that the business named on the certificate is the same entity that appears on the official record.
How is a VBC certificate for a French business verified?
Anyone can check it at https://vbcertified.online/verify using the certificate ID, or by scanning the QR code on the certificate. The record shows the current status, which may be valid, expired, suspended or revoked. No account is needed and the business does not have to be contacted first.
Is VBC certification a business licence in France?
No. VBC is a private verification and certification service, not a government licence, regulatory approval or ISO certification. A business in France remains responsible for every licence, registration and regulatory obligation that applies to it.
How much does VBC certification cost for a French business?
The same three levels apply everywhere: Basic at $100 a year, Enhanced at $250 and Trusted at $500. Each level is a superset of the one below it and the level appears on the certificate.