Example of a Kbis extract: what does it contain?

Updated April 5, 2026 - In France, the Kbis extract remains the best-known document used to prove that a company legally exists and is registered. Even if the French administrative ecosystem has evolved with the National Business Register managed by INPI, entrepreneurs, banks and counterparties still commonly ask for a "Kbis". To use it properly, you need to know what it contains, what it proves, and where to obtain an up-to-date version.

Short answer: a Kbis extract summarises the legal identity of a company registered with the Trade and Companies Register. It typically includes the company name, legal form, registered office, SIREN number, activity, managers and certain public mentions such as insolvency proceedings or pledges. In 2026, the equivalent evidence is often obtained online through official INPI channels.

Traditionally, a Kbis extract is the official statement of the information recorded in the Trade and Companies Register for a legal entity. It is often described as the "identity card" of the company.

In day-to-day business, people still use the word Kbis, even though the administrative landscape has changed since the rollout of the National Business Register (RNE). In practice, the vocabulary may vary, but the need remains the same: prove that the company exists, identify it correctly and confirm who is authorised to represent it.

This document is usually expected in a recent version, often less than three months old.

For related reading, see Business creation - Expert Formula, SAS definition and EI or EURL.

The exact presentation can vary, but the following data points are typically included.

1. General identity details

• company name;
• trade name when applicable;
• legal form;
• share capital;
• registered office address;
• SIREN number;
• city of registration and RCS reference;
• date of registration.

This first block is the foundation of the company's legal identity.

2. Activity details

The extract generally indicates:

• the declared business purpose or a summary of the activity;
• the start date of the activity;
• the APE or NAF code assigned by INSEE.

This does not replace a full legal review of the articles of association, but it gives third parties a quick view of what the company is supposed to do.

3. Management and representation

The extract also identifies the legal representatives of the company, for example:

• president of a SAS or SASU;
• managing director of a SARL or EURL;
• other officers where relevant.

Depending on the situation, it may also mention the scope of powers and, where applicable, the statutory auditor.

4. Public mentions affecting the company

The Kbis may also include public information relevant to counterparties, such as:

• insolvency or collective proceedings;
• pledges or registrations affecting business assets;
• court-ordered decisions that must be publicly disclosed.

This is why banks, major suppliers and some clients do not ask for the document only as an administrative reflex. They also use it as a public legal checkpoint.

In practice, a recent Kbis extract is often requested to:

• open a business bank account;
• answer a call for tenders;
• sign certain contracts with customers or suppliers;
• obtain access to regulated platforms or partner portals;
• prove the identity of the company during compliance checks.

It is therefore both an administrative document and a trust document.

Hayot Expertise advice: before sending a Kbis to a bank, supplier or client, always check the issue date and make sure the registered office, manager and legal form still match the latest corporate changes.

This is a frequent source of confusion.

• A K extract traditionally concerns a natural person carrying on business, such as an individual entrepreneur.
• A Kbis extract traditionally concerns a legal entity, such as a SAS, SARL or SCI.
• An RNE registration certificate is now increasingly used in the official environment shaped by INPI.

The terminology is evolving, but for many business users the word "Kbis" still acts as a practical shorthand for official proof of registration.

The safest approach is to use official channels. In practice, entrepreneurs most often rely on:

• the INPI data portal;
• official business registration interfaces;
• the competent court registry when needed.

The key point is not to download a random document from an unofficial site. You need a current document coming from a trustworthy public source.

Before using or sharing a Kbis extract, check:

• the issue date;
• the exact company name;
• the registered office address;
• the SIREN and RCS information;
• the legal representative shown on the document;
• whether any important public mention appears.

This simple review can prevent avoidable friction when a partner spots outdated or inconsistent information.

A Kbis extract is more than a routine administrative paper. It is the public summary of the legal identity of the company. In 2026, the surrounding tools may have changed, but the business reflex remains the same: use an official, recent document and verify that it accurately reflects the current legal reality of the company.