A new supplier sends you an invoice with a GST number on it, and before you pay or claim input tax credit you want to be sure the GSTIN is real, active, and actually belongs to that business. Or you have a company name but no GST number, and you need to find it. Both are quick checks once you know where to look. This guide shows you how to search a GST number, how to find a GSTIN by company name or PAN, and how to confirm a GSTIN is valid in 2026.
Verifying a GSTIN protects you in three concrete ways: it stops you claiming input tax credit against a fake or cancelled number, it confirms a vendor is genuinely registered before you sign a contract, and it flags businesses whose registration has been suspended. A two-minute check now can save a blocked ITC claim later.
What a GSTIN Is
A GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is the 15-character ID assigned to every business registered under GST. It is not random; each part tells you something, which is what makes verification possible.
- Digits 1-2: the state code where the business is registered.
- Digits 3-12: the PAN of the business or proprietor.
- Digit 13: the entity number for that PAN within the state (a business with several registrations in one state is numbered 1, 2, 3 and so on).
- Digit 14: the letter Z by default.
- Digit 15: a check character used to validate the whole number.
Because the GSTIN embeds the PAN and the state code, you can cross-check a number against a business’s name, state, and PAN to confirm it is genuine.
How to Search a GST Number Online
If you already have the 15-digit GSTIN and want to confirm who it belongs to and whether it is active, the search takes under a minute.
- Open the official GST portal at gst.gov.in and go to Search Taxpayer, then Search by GSTIN/UIN.
- Enter the 15-digit GSTIN and the captcha, then submit.
- Read the result: the legal name, trade name, registration date, taxpayer type, and the all-important registration status.
You can also run the same lookup through WeeDoo’s GSTIN search tool, which returns the taxpayer details without the portal’s captcha and session timeouts.
How to Find a GST Number by Company Name
When you have the business name but not its GSTIN, you work backwards from the company record. The GST portal’s name search is limited, so the reliable route is to look the business up in company data, read its PAN and state, and match the GSTIN from there.
- Search the business by name to confirm its legal entity, state, and PAN-linked details. WeeDoo’s company search covers 27 lakh-plus registered companies for free.
- Note the state and PAN, since the GSTIN must begin with that state code and contain that PAN.
- If the business operates in more than one state, remember it will hold a separate GSTIN for each state.
How to Find a GSTIN by PAN
Because digits 3 to 12 of every GSTIN are the holder’s PAN, the PAN is the strongest link between a business and its GST registrations. On the GST portal, use Search Taxpayer, then Search by PAN, enter the 10-character PAN and captcha, and the portal lists every GSTIN registered against that PAN across all states. This is the quickest way to see all the GST registrations a single business holds.
How to Verify That a GSTIN Is Valid and Active
Finding a number is only half the job; you also need to know it is currently valid. A GSTIN can be structurally correct yet cancelled or suspended. Check these fields in the search result before you rely on it.
| What to check | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Registration status | Active means you can transact and claim ITC; Cancelled or Suspended means you cannot. |
| Legal and trade name | Must match the business you are dealing with. |
| State code (first two digits) | Must match the state on the invoice and registration. |
| Taxpayer type | Regular, Composition, or Casual, which affects whether they can charge GST you can claim. |
| Date of registration | A GSTIN dated after your invoice date is a red flag. |
If the status shows anything other than Active, do not claim input tax credit against that invoice and raise it with the supplier before paying.
When You Should Check a GST Number
- Before onboarding a new supplier or vendor, as part of basic due diligence.
- Before claiming input tax credit, since ITC on a cancelled GSTIN will be reversed with interest.
- When an invoice amount is large or the supplier is new and unverified.
- When you suspect a quoted GSTIN may be copied from another business.
For deeper due diligence beyond the GST record, you can pull a supplier’s directors, incorporation date, and filing history from WeeDoo’s company database, and if you are registering your own business you can start with WeeDoo’s GST registration service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is searching a GST number free?
Yes. Searching and verifying a GSTIN on the official GST portal is free, and WeeDoo’s GSTIN search is free to use as well. You only pay if you order detailed company documents.
Can I find a GST number using only a company name?
Not directly in most cases. The reliable method is to look up the company to get its PAN and state, then search the GST portal by PAN. The company name alone narrows it down, but the PAN confirms the exact GSTIN.
How do I know if a GST number is fake?
A genuine GSTIN is 15 characters, begins with a valid state code, contains a valid PAN in positions 3 to 12, and returns an active taxpayer on the GST portal whose name matches the business. If the number does not return a result, or the name does not match, treat it as invalid.
Why does one business have multiple GST numbers?
GST registration is state-specific. A business operating in several states takes a separate GSTIN for each state, all sharing the same PAN. This is normal and not a sign of anything wrong.
What does a suspended GSTIN mean for my input tax credit?
If a supplier’s GSTIN is suspended or cancelled, you cannot claim input tax credit on their invoices, and any credit already claimed can be reversed with interest. Always confirm the status is Active before claiming.
