How to get duns number for business

As part of their verification process, a D&B representative may contact you directly for more information (such as your business type or number of employees). Please have your business registration documents ready.

Receiving and managing your D-U-N-S Number

After requesting a D-U-N-S Number, please allow up to 5 business days to receive your number from D&B. Expediting your D-U-N-S Number creation process will not shorten this waiting period. If your application has taken longer than two weeks to process, please email D&B.

Once you receive your D-U-N-S Number, please allow up to 2 business days for Apple to receive your information from D&B. After this period, you may enroll as a company/organization in the Apple Developer Program.

To update your D&B profile, email D&B. Please note that it takes up to two business days for D&B to provide updated information to Apple.

During enrollment I received the message, "Your organization is not listed as a legal entity." What does this mean?

The business you entered is either listed in the D&B database with a different legal status (such as a sole proprietorship), or its legal status has not been verified. When enrolling, make sure to use the legal entity name of your organization, as Apple does not accept DBAs, fictitious businesses, trade names, or branches for enrollment as a company/organization. If your legal status is a sole proprietorship/single person business, enroll as an individual. If you believe your business should be listed as a legal entity, have your business registration documents ready and email D&B. Complete business registration documents are required to verify your organization’s legal status.

A DUNS number is a nine-digit number assigned to businesses by Dun & Bradstreet―a business credit bureau.

Your DUNS number is tied to your Dun & Bradstreet business credit profile. Lenders use your DUNS number to identify your business and check your Dun & Bradstreet business credit history and credit score (called your Paydex score).

What is a DUNS number used for?

When you apply for business credit, many lenders will want to check your business credit score and credit history. This helps them decide whether or not to lend to you.

So during your loan, credit card, or trade credit application, you may have to provide your DUNS number. That way, the lender can look up your business’s credit profile.

Lenders also use your DUNS number to report your borrowing activity to Dun & Bradstreet. Things like loan payments, credit lines, and other important credit activity will show up on your Dun & Bradstreet credit report.

Who needs a DUNS number?

If you have a small business, you probably should get a DUNS number for that business. You may not need business credit for something like a business loan right now, but you never know if you will need it in the future.

And since DUNS numbers take a while to get, it’s better to prepare for a potential credit need by applying for your DUNS number now, before you need it.

Does an individual need a DUNS number?

Individuals don’t need DUNS numbers, since only businesses get DUNS numbers―not individuals.

Do I need a DUNS number to apply for business credit?

You don’t always need a DUNS number to apply for business credit, but sometimes you will. Plenty of lenders, credit card companies, and trade credit providers ask for your DUNS number as part of your credit application.

That said, online lenders (like BlueVine) don’t always ask for a DUNS number. While you don’t need to have a DUNS number to get business credit, it definitely won’t hurt.

DUNS numbers vs. EIN

DUNS numbers and EINs (employer identification numbers) are both numbers used to identify your business. But they’re not the same thing.

Your DUNS number gets assigned by Dun & Bradstreet. It identifies your business within Dun & Bradstreet’s business credit bureau. That means it’s used to track your business credit activity.

Your EIN, on the other hand, gets assigned by the IRS. It’s mostly for tax reporting―but that still means that business lenders, the IRS, and other entities will ask for your EIN.

If you employ anyone, you need an EIN. But you don’t necessarily need a DUNS number for anything but business credit checks. That’s why most businesses have an EIN―but they don’t all have DUNS numbers.

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The takeaway

You can get a DUNS number by applying for one on Dun & Bradstreet’s website. The process can take anywhere from a few days to one month, so make sure you apply for a DUNS number well before you need one.

Once you have a DUNS number, you’ll use it to identify your business on business credit applications. Lenders will use your number to look you up, make lending decisions, and report your business credit activity.

So when you have a DUNS number, be sure to keep an eye on your business credit profile.

Once you’ve got your DUNS number, start building your business credit (and increasing your buying power) with one of the best small-business credit cards.

Related reading

• 7 Vendors that Help Build Business Credit 2022
• Best Small Business Loans of 2023
• Experian for Small Business Credit Scores Review 2022
• Business Credit Tiers: Ranges for Business Credit Scores
• Why Does My Personal Credit Score Matter to a Small-Business Lender?

DUNS number FAQ

How much does a DUNS number cost?

Getting a DUNS number doesn’t cost anything―but if you pay for Dun & Bradstreet credit monitoring, you can get your DUNS number sooner.

Is DUNS the same as an EIN number?

No, a DUNS number is not the same as an EIN number. A DUNS number is assigned by Dun & Bradstreet and gets used to track your business credit history. An EIN number (employee identification number) gets assigned by the IRS and is used for various tax reporting purposes.

Where can I find my DUNS number?

You can find your DUNS number on the Dun & Bradstreet website using the DUNS Number Lookup.

Can you get a loan with a DUNS number?

Yes, a DUNS number will help you get a business loan. Leaders may ask for other identifying information too, though, like your EIN.

Disclaimer

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

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Written by

Chloe Goodshore

Chloe covers business financing and loans for Business.org. She has worked with many small businesses over the past 10 years, from video game stores to law firms. Those years watching frustrated business owners try to sift through their many options gave her a passion for breaking down complex business topics. She wants to help business owners spend less time agonizing over their businesses so they can spend more time running them.

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What do you need to get a DUNS number?

What happens if I don't have a DUNS number?