---
title: "Screen the client and the other party against the OFAC sanctions lists before work starts"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/aml-ctf-the-practice-as-a-reporting-entity/screen-a-customer-for-targeted-financial-sanctions-before-the-service-st/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A52OB-SF20261022-11-US"
practice_area: "AML/CTF — the practice as a reporting entity"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Screen the client and the other party against the OFAC sanctions lists before work starts

> List the names and any countries the lawyer has supplied, for the lawyer to search on the sanctions list service. Do not decide that a person is listed.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/aml-ctf-the-practice-as-a-reporting-entity/screen-a-customer-for-targeted-financial-sanctions-before-the-service-st/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [AML/CTF — the practice as a reporting entity](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/aml-ctf-the-practice-as-a-reporting-entity.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List the names and any countries the lawyer has supplied, for the lawyer to search on the sanctions list service. Do not decide that a person is listed. |
| What the lawyer must review | OFAC FAQ 1 says OFAC sanctions block the property of specific individuals and entities and can prohibit transactions with a country, a region, or a sector. The Sanctions List Service publishes the Specially Designated Nationals list of persons and property blocked by OFAC, and a consolidated list of the non-SDN sanctions lists. The lawyer runs the search and decides whether a prohibition applies. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Screen a customer for targeted financial sanctions before the service starts](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/aml-ctf-the-practice-as-a-reporting-entity/screen-a-customer-for-targeted-financial-sanctions-before-the-service-st.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List the names and any countries the lawyer has supplied, for the lawyer to search on the sanctions list service. Do not decide that a person is listed.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- These pages do not create a customer-due-diligence program for law firms. A possible match is not itself a decision to decline. Open the sanctions program that applies to the name.

## Sources

- [OFAC FAQ 1: What is OFAC and what does it do?](https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/1) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [OFAC: Sanctions List Service](https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-list-service) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*