A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit ID number assigned by Dun & Bradstreet, a business credit bureau. 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. 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.
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 business credit — a record of how reliably your business pays its bills. Lenders, insurers and suppliers use this to decide whether to work with you and on what terms. The stronger your profile, the better rates and terms you're likely to get.
To get government funding. Many state and local governments require a DUNS number to bid on contracts or receive grants and loans. If you plan to pursue government funding, apply for one well in advance.
To work with certain companies. Companies like Apple, Google and Walmart require partners or suppliers to have a DUNS number before doing business with them.
To apply for grants. Some small-business grants and non-government 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.
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.
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.
