The essential reference for any France-focused searcher needing certified legal documents during LOI preparation and formal due diligence.
Infogreffe is the official digital portal of the French commercial court registries, operated by the Groupement d’Intérêt Économique des Greffiers des Tribunaux de Commerce. It provides access to legally certified company filings including Kbis extracts, articles of association, annual financial statements, shareholder lists and judicial decisions for all French companies registered with a commercial court. For search funds focused on France it functions as the primary source of certified legal documents at the LOI and due diligence stage of the acquisition process.
Why searchers use it
While Pappers aggregates and presents official French registry data in a practical interface, Infogreffe is the source of the certified originals. A searcher needs Infogreffe at two specific moments. During early target screening, a quick Kbis check confirms the company is legally active, has no ongoing insolvency proceedings and that the person being approached is the actual legal representative, a basic but important step before investing time in owner conversations. During formal due diligence, a searcher’s legal advisor will require certified copies of articles of association, shareholder registers and financial statements directly from the commercial court rather than from an aggregator. Having direct access to Infogreffe means a searcher can retrieve these documents quickly and independently rather than waiting for the seller to provide them.
Core capabilities relevant to search funds
- Kbis extract: The official French company identity document confirming legal status, registered capital, management and address, required at LOI stage
- Articles of association: Certified copies of founding documents and all amendments, essential for understanding the company’s legal structure before a transaction
- Annual financial statements: Certified financial filings for companies required to file publicly, the authoritative source for due diligence financial verification
- Shareholder register: Ownership and capital structure documents where filed, critical for confirming the seller’s authority to transact
- Judicial decisions: Access to court proceedings, insolvency filings and judicial liquidations affecting the target company
- Surveillance alerts: Monitor specific companies for new filings, judicial events or management changes throughout the search phase
Honest limitations
Infogreffe is a document repository and certification service, not a search or filtering tool. It is designed for retrieving specific documents on companies already identified, not for discovering new targets. Most documents carry a per-document fee which can add up during intensive due diligence on multiple targets. Smaller French companies with limited filing obligations may have incomplete or absent financial records. The interface is functional but designed for legal professionals rather than acquirers.
Getting started
Access directly at infogreffe.fr. Basic company searches are free. Document downloads and certified copies require payment. An account is recommended for managing multiple document orders efficiently.
Pricing
- Free basic company information.
- Kbis extracts typically cost between €3 and €8 per document.
- Certified financial statements and other legal documents range from €5 to €20 per document depending on type.
