Checking and delisting
How to check sanctions status on official tools
Short answer
- US tool
- Sanctions List Search, SDN and Consolidated (non-SDN) Lists 1
- UN tool
- search.sanctions.un.org, list in XML, HTML and PDF 2
- UK tool
- search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk 3
- US export lists
- Consolidated Screening List, updated daily at 5:00 AM Eastern time 10
- OFAC reporting deadline
- Blocking or rejection reported within 10 business days 8
Official tools by regime
| Regime | Tool or file | Note from the publisher |
|---|---|---|
| United States 1 | Sanctions List Search 1 | Shows current lists only, not removed names 7 |
| United States export lists 10 | Consolidated Screening List search, CSV, TSV, JSON and API 10 | Check the Federal Register and agency lists before acting 10 |
| United Nations 2 | search.sanctions.un.org and XML, HTML, PDF files 2 | Each new version replaces all earlier ones 2 |
| European Union 4 | Financial sanctions consolidated list and EU Sanctions Map 4 | Measures become law on publication in the Official Journal 4 |
| United Kingdom 3 | UK Sanctions List search service and files 3 | Only source for UK designations since 28 January 2026 3 |
| Canada 5 | Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List 5 | No force of law, the regulations govern 5 |
| Australia 6 | Consolidated List in Excel 6 | Seek legal advice on a match 6 |
How the OFAC search scores names
A score of 100 in Sanctions List Search returns exact matches. Lower thresholds use character, string and phonetic matching 7. Only the name field uses fuzzy logic and only the name field affects the score 7. The tool first filters by first letter and at least 50 percent edit-distance similarity. It then applies Jaro-Winkler and Soundex to the full name and each name part and keeps the higher score 7.
OFAC does not recommend a threshold score. Users set their own based on internal risk assessments 7. The tool is free for individual users and should not be run continually by automated systems. OFAC points those systems to the XML, CSV and other list files 7.
Judging a possible match, the OFAC steps
OFAC FAQ 5, updated 9 September 2026, sets out six steps for a screening alert 8.
- Find out whether the alert is against an OFAC list or a non-OFAC list such as the BIS Entity List 8.
- If the nexus is a country, government or program rather than a name, escalate to a supervisor or compliance team before acting 8.
- Compare the full entry, including aliases, date of birth, identification numbers, nationality and addresses, with your own data 8.
- If several details match, follow internal procedures and check whether a general or specific license or an exemption applies 8.
- Block property where the rules require it, or reject the transaction where it is prohibited but no blocked person is involved 8.
- Keep records and report any blocking or rejection to OFAC within 10 business days 8.
What official bodies will not do
OFAC does not confirm potential matches or false positives and asks organisations to make risk-based decisions 8. It issues neither certificates of non-inclusion nor a so-called safe list 9. The Australian Sanctions Office says it does not provide legal advice 6. The UN says the Consolidated List supersedes all earlier versions, so a saved copy can go out of date 2.
Common questions
Is there one search that covers every sanctions list?
No official tool covers all regimes. Each publisher runs its own tool, such as Sanctions List Search for OFAC lists and search.sanctions.un.org for the UN list 1,2.
Does a search hit mean the person is sanctioned?
No. OFAC says lower scores indicate potential matches and sets out steps to check the full entry against your data 7,8.
Can OFAC confirm that a name match is a false positive?
No. OFAC says it does not confirm potential matches or false positives 8.
Can I get a certificate that I am not on an OFAC list?
No. OFAC does not issue certificates of non-inclusion or a safe list 9.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@sanctionslistsexplained.com.
Sources
- Office of Foreign Assets Control: Sanctions List Search Tool
- United Nations Security Council: United Nations Security Council Consolidated List (last updated 15 October 2026)
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The UK Sanctions List (last updated 16 October 2026)
- European Commission: Overview of sanctions and related resources (last updated 17 November 2025)
- Global Affairs Canada: Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List (modified 23 September 2026)
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consolidated List
- Office of Foreign Assets Control: How to Search OFAC's Sanctions Lists (FAQs released 2013 to 2021)
- Office of Foreign Assets Control: FAQ 5, When screening for sanctions, how do I determine if I have a valid match to a name on one of OFAC's lists? (updated 9 September 2026)
- Office of Foreign Assets Control: Basic Information on OFAC and Sanctions (FAQs released 2002 to 2024)
- International Trade Administration: Consolidated Screening List
Related
- False positives and name matching in sanctions screening
Why screening flags innocent names, how OFAC's search scores matches, the review steps OFAC suggests and official routes for people wrongly matched.
- The US OFAC SDN list explained
What the US Specially Designated Nationals list is, the legal basis, the 50 Percent Rule, the non-SDN lists, the search tool and the OFAC removal route.
- UN Security Council sanctions lists
How UN Security Council sanctions lists work: the 15 regimes, the Consolidated List, the measures, how states apply them and the two UN delisting routes.
- The UK Sanctions List explained
How the UK Sanctions List works, the legal test for designation, which UK bodies do what, OFSI figures for 2024 to 2025 and the routes to ask for removal.
- Sanctions lists compared across regimes
Who keeps each major sanctions list, the legal basis, where to search it and what the official pages say about its legal status.