# OFAC API

> OFAC returns scored sanctions-list matches with identifying details, available as a workflow and API.

OFAC, also known as the Office of Foreign Assets Control, returns scored entries from SDN and non-SDN sanctions lists for a name you provide. Check sanctions accepts a person, company, vessel, or aircraft name, with optional filters for type, country, strictness, and maximum results.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/ofac
- Handle: `@ofac`
- Category: [Legal](https://fous.com/workflows/category/legal)
- Source website: https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with OFAC.

## Methods

### Check sanctions

Operation `check_sanctions`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Screen a name against OFAC SDN and non-SDN sanctions lists and return scored entries with identifying details. Similar names are potential matches, not confirmed identities.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `name` | string | yes | `"Mahan Air"` | Person, company, vessel or aircraft name to screen, for example Viktor Vekselberg. |
| `type` | string | no | `"company"` | Kind of name, for example company. |
| `country` | string | no | `"Iran"` | Country to filter by, for example Iran. |
| `strictness` | string | no | `"strict"` | Minimum OFAC name score: strict 100%, balanced 90%, or broad 80%; for example balanced. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of entries to return, for example 25. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "name"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "name": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Person, company, vessel or aircraft name to screen, for example Viktor Vekselberg.",
      "examples": [
        "Mahan Air",
        "Viktor Vekselberg",
        "Randomfjdkjffkxxxccckllf"
      ]
    },
    "type": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "person",
        "company",
        "vessel",
        "aircraft"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Kind of name, for example company.",
      "examples": [
        "company"
      ]
    },
    "country": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Country to filter by, for example Iran.",
      "examples": [
        "Iran"
      ]
    },
    "strictness": {
      "enum": [
        "strict",
        "balanced",
        "broad"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "balanced",
      "description": "Minimum OFAC name score: strict 100%, balanced 90%, or broad 80%; for example balanced.",
      "examples": [
        "strict",
        "broad"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 25,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of entries to return, for example 25.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        3,
        2
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "name": "Mahan Air",
      "type": "company",
      "country": "Iran",
      "strictness": "strict",
      "max_results": 5
    },
    {
      "name": "Viktor Vekselberg"
    },
    {
      "name": "Randomfjdkjffkxxxccckllf",
      "strictness": "broad"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `matches` | array |  |  |
| `matches[].list` | string or null | `"SDN"` |  |
| `matches[].name` | string | `"MAHAN AIR"` |  |
| `matches[].type` | string or null | `"Company"` |  |
| `matches[].aliases` | array |  |  |
| `matches[].addresses` | array |  |  |
| `matches[].entry_link` | string | `"https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=12927"` |  |
| `matches[].match_score` | integer | `100` | OFAC name match score in percent. |
| `matches[].nationality` | string or null |  |  |
| `matches[].ofac_entry_id` | string | `"12927"` |  |
| `matches[].program_codes` | array |  |  |
| `matches[].sanctions_programs` | array |  |  |
| `matches[].date_of_birth_or_registration` | string or null | `"1957-04-14"` |  |
| `summary` | string | `"1 possible OFAC sanctions match found, searched 2026-09-28. Verify identities before taking action."` |  |
| `match_found` | boolean | `true` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "name": "Mahan Air",
  "type": "company",
  "country": "Iran",
  "strictness": "strict",
  "max_results": 5
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "matches": [
    {
      "list": "SDN",
      "name": "MAHAN AIR",
      "type": "Company",
      "aliases": [
        "MAHAN AIR CO."
      ],
      "addresses": [
        "No. 21, Mahan Air Tower, Tehran, Tehran, 1481655761, Iran; Azadegan Street, Jenah Expressway, Beginning of Sheykh Fazlollah Exp. Way; First of Karaj High Way",
        "Mahan Air Tower, 21st Floor, Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Azadeghan Street, Karaj Highway; P.O. Box 14515-411",
        "Mahan Air Tower, Tehran, Tehran, 1481655761, Iran; Azadegan St., Karaj Highway; P.O. Box 411-14515"
      ],
      "entry_link": "https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=12927",
      "match_score": 100,
      "nationality": null,
      "ofac_entry_id": "12927",
      "program_codes": [
        "NPWMD",
        "IFSR",
        "SDGT"
      ],
      "sanctions_programs": [
        "Non-Proliferation",
        "Iran-related",
        "Terrorism"
      ],
      "date_of_birth_or_registration": null
    }
  ],
  "summary": "1 possible OFAC sanctions match found, searched 2026-09-28. Verify identities before taking action.",
  "match_found": true
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@ofac",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "check_sanctions",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "name": "Mahan Air",
    "type": "company",
    "country": "Iran",
    "strictness": "strict",
    "max_results": 5
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@ofac\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"check_sanctions\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"name\": \"Mahan Air\",\n    \"type\": \"company\",\n    \"country\": \"Iran\",\n    \"strictness\": \"strict\",\n    \"max_results\": 5\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@ofac",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "check_sanctions",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "name": "Mahan Air",
    "type": "company",
    "country": "Iran",
    "strictness": "strict",
    "max_results": 5
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@ofac","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Screen company names for potential sanctions matches.
- Review identifying details for potential matches.
- Filter name screening by country or type.
- Compare match scores across returned entries.

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with OFAC?

No. Fous is not affiliated with OFAC. This workflow reads the public sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a OFAC account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### Does a name match a sanctions list?

Check sanctions returns scored entries from SDN and non-SDN lists; similar names are potential matches, not confirmed identities.

### What identifying details are returned for a match?

Check sanctions returns details such as names, aliases, addresses, nationality, sanctions programs, and match score.

### Can I screen a name with a country filter?

Yes. Check sanctions accepts an optional country filter.

## Related

- [EU Sanctions Map API](https://fous.com/workflows/eu-sanctions-map.md): EU Sanctions Map returns regimes, consolidated financial listings, name matches and linked acts, plus country measures and available counts; linked acts may be later amendments.
- [UN Security Council Sanctions API](https://fous.com/workflows/un-security-council-sanctions.md): Check names against the UN Security Council Consolidated List.
- [GOV.UK API](https://fous.com/workflows/gov-uk.md): GOV.UK provides summarized current travel advice with linked details, published regional holidays (none for unpublished years), and possible matches on the current UK Sanctions List.
- [Federal Register API](https://fous.com/workflows/federal-register.md): Search United States federal rules, proposed rules, notices, and presidential documents.
- [OSHA API](https://fous.com/workflows/osha.md): Public workplace safety inspection and enforcement records.
- [PolitiFact API](https://fous.com/workflows/politifact.md): Fact checks of political claims and public statements.
- [FEC API](https://fous.com/workflows/fec.md): FEC provides federal campaign finance data, including candidate fundraising and spending for a two-year period and candidate totals from the latest available filings.
- [Open Food Facts API](https://fous.com/workflows/open-food-facts.md): Open Food Facts provides public packaged-food information, including ingredients, allergens, nutrition, and product classifications; coverage varies, and search results favor popular products.
- [All Legal workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/legal)