DUNS Number: What It Is and How to Get One
Business owners can get a DUNS number for free through the business credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet.
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A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit ID number that the business credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet assigns. Creditors, vendors and suppliers can use this number to look up your company. This lets them get information about your business's financial health before working with you.
All businesses — regardless of age, size or business structure — can apply for a DUNS number. Getting one is an important step toward building your business credit.
You can apply for a DUNS number for free on Dun & Bradstreet’s website. It can take up to 30 days to receive one.
How to get a DUNS number
First, use the DUNS lookup tool to find out whether your business already has a DUNS number. You might have one and not know about it. If a supplier or financial institution has requested information about your company, D&B may have already assigned you a DUNS number.
If you don’t yet have a DUNS number, follow these steps to get one:
Visit Dun & Bradstreet’s website to start your application.
Provide the requested information about your business, like:
Legal business name, phone number and address.
Name of business owner, president or CEO.
Legal business structure and date of formation.
Primary industry and total number of employees (full and part time).
Wait up to 30 business days for your application to be processed. You can pay $229 for expedited processing to get your number within eight business days.
A representative from Dun & Bradstreet may contact you to authenticate your information. If they do, answer their questions.
Look for your DUNS number in your email.
Repeat this process for each of your business locations, if you have more than one.
Should you pay for expedited processing?
It’s hard to know for sure. The free application may move fast. On Reddit, some applicants say they got DUNS numbers within a couple of days. Others say the process took the full 30 days or more.
Do you need a DUNS number to work with a company like Google or Apple? Check to see whether that company has its own portal with D&B (Apple’s is here). That may help your wait time. But there are no guarantees.
If you want to be certain about a processing date, consider paying the $229 fee.
Financing options while you're building business credit
If you have strong personal credit, start by seeing if you can qualify for a startup business loan or open a business credit card.
If your personal credit score needs improvement, check out available startup loans for bad credit.
If you’re curious about debt-free financing, explore the many options for a small-business grant.
Why businesses need a DUNS number
Here’s why you might need a DUNS number:
To build your business credit. A DUNS number helps establish your business credit, which is a record of your business's payment history available to potential lenders, business partners and investors. A strong business credit profile can lead to better terms on loans, insurance and trade credit agreements.
To get government funding. Businesses that intend to bid on certain government contracts should apply for a DUNS number well in advance. Many state and local governments require a DUNS number to receive state funding, whether through contract, grant or loan.
To work with certain companies. Apple, Google and Walmart all require some businesses to have DUNS numbers. For instance, to be a Walmart supplier or an Apple developer, you’ll need one.
To apply for grants. Some small-business grants and nongovernmental loans require a DUNS number to apply.
To register with the FDA. You have to register your facility with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration if it manufactures, processes, packs or holds food for people or animals. To do so, you need a DUNS number.
How much do you need?
We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.
Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.
DUNS number vs. EIN
A DUNS number and an EIN are two distinct business identifiers used for different purposes. Most businesses need both.
The IRS assigns employer identification numbers. You'll use an EIN to file your business tax return or issue tax forms to your employees. Certain types of businesses (those with employees, for instance) are legally required to get an EIN for tax purposes. You can get one for free on the IRS’s website.
There’s no legal need to have a DUNS number. But vendors may require one to verify your business. Other companies and potential creditors use DUNS numbers to assess your business’s financial health. That means having one is still necessary for most businesses.
DUNS number vs. UEI
The government previously required DUNS numbers to apply for federal contracts or grants. But they were phased out in 2022 in favor of a Unique Entity Identifier, or UEI.
The UEI is an identification number that the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management (SAM.gov) issues. You no longer need a DUNS number to apply for federal contracts.
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