DUNS stands for Data Universal Numbering System. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) uses the number to identify a business in its commercial database, where it ties to a business credit file. It is not a government number and not a tax ID: the IRS identifies a business by its EIN, and the federal government's contracting system now uses its own identifier.
Do you need a DUNS number for federal contracts?
Not any more. On April 4, 2022, SAM.gov and the other General Services Administration systems stopped using the DUNS number and switched to the Unique Entity ID (SAM), a 12-character identifier assigned in SAM.gov itself (GSA announcement). To bid on contracts or apply for federal grants, register at SAM.gov; the ID is assigned as part of the registration, or on its own if you only need the ID. SAM.gov's registration checklist says there is no charge to get a Unique Entity ID or to register, and a registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active.
Who still asks for a DUNS number?
- App stores. Apple requires a D-U-N-S Number from companies enrolling in its developer program, and Google Play asks for one from organization developer accounts.
- Large customers and suppliers that check new vendors through D&B.
- Lenders and trade creditors that look at a D&B business credit file.
If nobody has asked you for one, you probably do not need it yet.
How to get a DUNS number for free
- Check whether you already have one. Many businesses already have one: Apple notes that D&B may have assigned your organization a number already. D&B's free D-U-N-S Number lookup searches by company name and address; see DUNS number lookup.
- Request one from D&B. Use the free request on D&B's Get a D-U-N-S Number page. D&B says, "There is no cost to request and receive a D-U-N-S Number." The request is made by the business's owner or an officer.
- Have your details ready. D&B asks for the legal business name, the address (each location gets its own number), phone number, the owner or chief executive's name, legal structure, year founded, main line of business and number of employees. Use the exact legal name on your state record; a state business lookup shows it.
- Wait for the number. D&B says the free request takes up to 30 business days, and in most cases arrives within that time.
Is a paid DUNS number faster?
D&B offers expedited processing for a fee, which it says delivers the number within eight business days; it does not list the price on its request page. Paying changes the speed, not the number. Apple notes that expediting through D&B does not shorten the time Apple itself needs to receive your details. Google warns that some third-party services charge "high administrative fees" for what is a free registration, so go to dnb.com directly.
DUNS number, UEI and EIN compared
| D-U-N-S Number | Unique Entity ID (SAM) | EIN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Dun & Bradstreet (private) | SAM.gov (federal government) | IRS |
| Format | 9 digits | 12 characters, letters and numbers | 9 digits, 00-0000000 |
| Used for | Business credit files, vendor checks, app store enrollment | Federal contracts and grants | Federal taxes, payroll, banking |
| Cost | Free; optional paid expedite | Free | Free |
| Public? | Searchable in D&B's lookup | Searchable on SAM.gov, unless the entity opted out of public search | No |
Does a DUNS number make my business official?
No. A business is formed by filing with the state, and its legal existence is on the state record, not in D&B's database. A D&B record is a commercial listing, not proof that the business is registered or active, and a new business may have no D&B record at all. To check that a business exists and is active, look it up in its state.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Facts checked 2026-10-26 against the official sources linked above; confirm with the state or the IRS before you file. How we check our facts · Report an error