Paste an identifier, or a whole "Identification" field from a listing to find out what information it stores. Each number is run through its checksum where one exists and decoded: region, issuing office, date of birth, gender, entity type. Everything runs in your browser; the numbers you enter are not sent anywhere.
Not a verification tool. This tool reads the structure of a number to show what it holds. It does not confirm that a number exists, was issued, is current, or belongs to the person or company named. Contact the issuing authority directly for any verification purposes.
What this decodes
“Checksum” means the method for calculating the number’s check digit is published or publicly documented, so the tool can test whether the number is correctly formed. A pass means well-formed, not that the number was issued. Whereas "Format only" means the layout is documented but no check method is public, so the tool can read the parts of the number but cannot test whether it is correctly formed.
Where the issuer has discretion
Not every digit in an identification number encodes information about the individual or entity. Some digits are assigned by the issuing authority for administrative purposes, such as registration sequences or reference numbers, and have no independent descriptive meaning. The tool only displays these digits to indicate which of them are unique with no defined meaning.
What these numbers cannot do
Decoding is not verification. The tool interprets the number according to its documented structure and rules. A number that decodes successfully may be fabricated, unissued, or belong to someone else.
A passing check does not establish authenticity.A number may satisfy the required format, checksum, or other algorithmic checks without having been issued by the relevant authority.
Decoded information is not proof of identity.The tool provides additional context about an identifier, such as encoded date of birth, gender, registration details, or other attributes where available. These details may help assess whether an identifier is consistent with independently established information, but they do not confirm who it belongs to.
Decoding does not establish current status.The tool cannot determine whether an identifier is currently active, expired, suspended, cancelled, or otherwise no longer valid. A successfully decoded number may have been issued previously but may no longer be in use.
Not all identifiers can be fully decoded.Where the underlying validation or decoding method is not publicly documented or cannot be reliably implemented, the tool provides format or layout information only. These results are explicitly marked as such.
Also free: the UBO Calculator works out effective ownership through layers of companies and draws the ownership chart.
Need verification services, not just ID decoding?
ShastRisk provides verification services through custom-scoped research requests. We can assist with employment, education, address, birth certificate, marriage certificate and police certificate verification by contacting relevant authorities or following established verification procedures.
