Practical guide
What is the OFAC SDN list? Names, identifiers and review
Understand the OFAC SDN list, the people and entities it covers, and how to compare a possible match with the identity you are screening.
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What the SDN list contains
SDN means Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. OFAC's SDN list includes people, organizations, vessels and aircraft. A record can contain several names and identifying details, so reading only the name leaves out facts that may matter to the review.
In SanctionsKit, ofac-sdn identifies this source. Confirm its current availability before a Production check. Sandbox uses synthetic entries; it does not establish that a real person or vessel appears on the live list.
Match the input to the subject type
In New screening, choose the right type and enter reliable identity details. A vessel's IMO number and a company's registration number identify different things. Preserve the identifier type and issuer where known.
Choose the required available sources after checking coverage. In an API request, use either a sources array or an exact package version, not both. The screenings reference explains the input fields.
Read the full candidate entry
Use the Review queue to inspect the source ID, record ID and authority link. In an API response, the candidate appears under matches.record, with evidence, conflicts and an assessment to help organize the comparison.
Check aliases, dates and identifiers in context. A shared alias is not proof of identity. A year-only birth date cannot be treated as if it were a full date. If the entry lacks a fact, record it as unknown.
Use a distinguishing fact carefully
Imagine two fictional vessels with the same name but different reliable IMO numbers. The numbers may distinguish them when you have confirmed that each belongs to the correct vessel. A copied number with unclear provenance is weaker evidence.
Record a finding for each candidate. Separately consider ownership checks: a company name search does not discover its owners or determine every ownership-related restriction.
Keep the version used in the search
Retrieve the retained result from Screening history or GET /api/v1/results/{id}. Keep the coverage version and retrieval time with the review so another person can see which data supported it.
A later list amendment does not change the earlier record. Monitoring can create new checks, but a removal event still needs the relevant business review. It does not automatically settle every restriction on an activity.
Sources and references
Authority and technical sources
SanctionsKit documentation
Frequently asked questions
Does the SDN list contain only individual people?
No. It includes organizations, vessels and aircraft as well as people. Choose the correct subject type and compare identifiers that belong to that type, such as a vessel's IMO number.
Is an SDN alias enough to confirm a match?
An alias can help find a candidate, but it does not prove identity by itself. Compare the complete entry with reliable dates, identifiers and other available facts, then explain the conclusion for that candidate.
What should I do when the SDN record lacks a birth date?
Treat the missing date as an unknown. It cannot conflict with the date you hold. Look for other reliable identifying facts and keep the review unresolved if those facts do not support a conclusion.
Should an old result change when OFAC amends a record?
Keep the old result as evidence of the comparison made at that time. Run a later check when required and link its review to the earlier one. This preserves the reason for each decision.