> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/ofac-sanctions-list-search.md).

# OFAC Sanctions List Search

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="245.66668701171875"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OFAC Sanctions List Search</strong></td><td><strong>Quick Overview</strong></td></tr><tr><td>URL</td><td><a href="https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/">https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/</a> </td></tr><tr><td>What it does</td><td>Searches official U.S. sanctions lists for sanctioned individuals, organisations, entities, vessels and aircraft. </td></tr><tr><td>How to use it</td><td>Enter a name or keyword, review matching records, then verify identifiers such as aliases, dates of birth, addresses and sanctions programmes. </td></tr><tr><td>Cost</td><td>Free.</td></tr><tr><td>Account required</td><td>No.</td></tr><tr><td>Cookies</td><td>Essential session cookies.</td></tr><tr><td>Ownership</td><td>U.S. Department of the Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). </td></tr><tr><td>Use in Reporting</td><td>Supports sanctions screening, due diligence, subject profiling and compliance checks. </td></tr></tbody></table>

### What does OFAC Sanctions List Search do?

The OFAC Sanctions List Search provides access to the U.S. Treasury's official sanctions database, enabling you to determine whether a person, company, vessel, aircraft or other entity has been designated under a U.S. sanctions programme. Results include identifying information, known aliases, addresses, dates of birth where applicable, and the specific sanctions programme under which the designation was made.

Because OFAC sanctions have significant legal and financial implications, the database is widely used by compliance professionals, financial institutions and OSINT investigators to identify sanctioned entities and assess potential risk.

**The lowdown:** It’s a trusted, authoritative source for determining whether a subject is sanctioned under U.S. law.

### How to Use:

**1. Enter the name of the individual, organisation, or entity you wish to check into the lookup tool. Use partial names where appropriate to capture spelling variations.**

<img src="/files/YWUIY6sZGO6h1jARODor" alt="" height="348" width="602">

**2. Review returned matches carefully. Compare identifiers such as aliases, dates of birth, addresses, nationality, vessel IMO numbers or company details to determine whether the record relates to your subject.**&#x20;

<img src="/files/vQU3S9lO2JT4wiO874f3" alt="" height="101" width="602">

<img src="/files/tF4CPYrO9VEcpOtks7RM" alt="" height="368" width="602">

**3. Record relevant findings and cross-reference them with other official sources such as Companies House, corporate registries, government sanctions lists or adverse media before drawing conclusions.**

### Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Data Processing

### Account Required:

* [ ] Yes
* [x] No

### Cookies:&#x20;

The site uses essential session cookies, including ASP.NET\_SessionId (session management) and F5 BIG-IP load balancing cookies (server session persistence).

### Use in Reporting

OFAC sanctions data is highly authoritative and suitable for inclusion within intelligence products, due diligence reports and compliance assessments. Its uses include:

* Confirming whether an individual, company, vessel or aircraft is subject to U.S. sanctions.
* Supporting AML/KYC, financial crime and corporate intelligence reporting.
* Providing authoritative evidence for sanctions screening and compliance assessments.
* Enabling verification of aliases, addresses, dates of birth and other identifying information to reduce false positives.
* Identifying sanctions programmes associated with a subject and assessing potential geopolitical or regulatory risk.

Investigative organisations such as the [International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ](https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/spyware-firm-intellexa-hit-with-us-sanctions-after-cyprus-confidential-expose/)(ICIJ) and [OCCRP ](https://www.occrp.org/en/news/us-sanctions-chinese-oil-terminal-operator-tied-to-iranian-sanctions-evasion-scheme)frequently reference OFAC sanctions when reporting on sanctioned individuals, oligarchs, state-owned enterprises and illicit financial networks. Major news organisations including Reuters, Bloomberg and the Financial Times also rely on OFAC designations when covering sanctions enforcement and international finance.&#x20;

| **Capabilities**                                                 | **Limitations**                                                                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Searches individuals, companies, vessels, and aircraft.          | Covers only U.S. sanctions and does not include all international sanctions regimes.         |
| Includes aliases, identifiers, and sanctions programme details.  | Name-only searches can produce multiple/ambiguous results that require careful verification. |
| No account or subscription required.                             | Limited contextual information beyond designation details.                                   |
| Useful for sanctions screening and due diligence investigations. | Doesn’t provide investigative background or evidence supporting the designation.             |
| Frequently updated to reflect new designations and removals.     | Historical/delisted records may require consultation of additional sources.                  |

### Summary

OFAC Sanctions List search is best used during the verification and risk assessment stage of an OSINT investigation, after a subject has been identified but before reporting or due diligence is finalised. It should also be used alongside other sanctions databases (e.g. UK, EU or UN) for comprehensive screening.

### Ownership

Owned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Department of the Treasury.&#x20;

### Ethical Considerations

* Verify subject identifiers before reporting a sanctions match.
* Avoid relying solely on name-based matches.
* Clearly distinguish confirmed sanctions listings from possible matches.
* Consider the legal and reputational impact of reporting sanctions information.
* Cross-reference with other official sanctions lists where appropriate.

### Related Tools:

* UK Sanctions List Search
* [EU Sanctions Map](/osint-tools/eu-sanctions-map.md)
* UN Security Council Sanctions List
* [OpenSanctions](/osint-tools/open-sanctions.md)
* [Companies House](/osint-tools/companies-house.md)
* [OpenCorporates](/osint-tools/opencorporates.md)

#### Sources

<https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/>&#x20;

<https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/287>&#x20;

<https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/spyware-firm-intellexa-hit-with-us-sanctions-after-cyprus-confidential-expose/>&#x20;

<https://www.occrp.org/en/news/us-sanctions-chinese-oil-terminal-operator-tied-to-iranian-sanctions-evasion-scheme>&#x20;