If you operate or plan to form a U.S. business as a non-resident, you may encounter the D-U-N-S Number when working with certain lenders, suppliers, marketplaces, developers, or other organizations. It is a unique business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet, but it is not required simply to own or operate a U.S. business.
TL;DR – Quick Answer
A D-U-N-S® Number is a unique nine-digit business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet. It may be requested by certain companies, lenders, suppliers, or organizations for business identification, credit-related review, or vendor onboarding. It is not universally required to operate a business, and U.S. federal awards now use the Unique Entity ID (UEI) through SAM.gov.
A D-U-N-S Number may still be requested by certain lenders, suppliers, private companies, state or local agencies, international organizations, and business platforms. However, U.S. federal contracts and grants use the Unique Entity ID (UEI) issued through SAM.gov rather than the D-U-N-S Number.
Not sure what a DUNS number is or how it works? No worries! This blog will explain everything you need to know about DUNS numbers and their impact on businesses.
What Is the DUNS Number?
First, let’s define a DUNS number.
Simply put, a D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet. It identifies a specific business within D&B’s database and connects that business to a profile that may contain information such as its legal name, address, phone number, industry, employee count, corporate relationships, and available business credit information.
Dun & Bradstreet is an organization that compiles and distributes data about companies worldwide.
A company’s DUNS number represents the company’s uniqueness in the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud. This number helps distinguish a company from other organizations within Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud and connects it to its D&B business profile.
Understanding the DUNS Number
Dun & Bradstreet assigns D-U-N-S Numbers to distinct business locations to uniquely identify organizations within its global business database. In its database, these are assigned to a single business entity at each business location, which creates a business profile that includes a company’s name, phone number, postal address, number of employees, line of business, and other pertinent corporate information.
Dun & Bradstreet has issued D-U-N-S Numbers since the 1960s. The identifier was historically used extensively by the U.S. federal government, but that changed on April 4, 2022, when SAM.gov transitioned from DUNS to the government-issued Unique Entity ID (UEI) for federal awards.
D&B uses this specific reference to connect the information to a particular company. Using this DUNS number, other businesses can search for information, ask questions, and use D&B services related to that company.
The DUNS number makes your company searchable in the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud. Some lenders, suppliers, and business partners may use D-U-N-S information when reviewing a company.
3 Reasons a D-U-N-S Number May Be Useful
As a business owner, getting a DUNS number has many advantages. Here are three situations where having a D-U-N-S Number may benefit your business:
- You Can Confirm Your Company’s Identity Using a DUNS Number.
A D-U-N-S Number gives your business a unique identifier within Dun & Bradstreet’s database. This helps distinguish your company from other businesses with similar names or locations and allows organizations using D&B data to match information to the correct company. However, a D-U-N-S Number does not provide legal protection for your business name or prevent business identity theft.
- A D-U-N-S Number Connects to Your D&B Business Credit File
Some lenders and creditors may ask for your D-U-N-S Number so they can identify your business and review available D&B business credit information. That information may help them evaluate your company’s payment history, financial stability, or credit risk. The D-U-N-S Number itself is not a credit score and does not guarantee financing approval.
You may also provide your D-U-N-S Number when another company wants to verify your business or review available D&B information. Likewise, you can use a company’s D-U-N-S Number to identify the correct business before reviewing available business information about it. Similarly, you can ask for another company’s DUNS number to see if they are trustworthy. A strong business credit profile may help when seeking financing or trade credit, but simply obtaining a D-U-N-S Number does not improve your creditworthiness or guarantee approval.
- Some Organizations May Request It
Certain companies, lenders, suppliers, or non-federal organizations may request a D-U-N-S Number as part of their vendor, credit, or business-verification process.
The Use of a DUNS Number
A D-U-N-S Number may be requested by certain lenders, suppliers, companies, marketplaces, and non-federal organizations for business identification, vendor onboarding, or credit-related reviews. It also links a company to its D&B business profile and available business credit information. For U.S. federal awards, however, entities use the Unique Entity ID (UEI) issued through SAM.gov rather than a D-U-N-S Number.
Lenders and potential business partners frequently use this to predict an entity’s dependability and/or financial stability. Some suppliers, lenders, and other trade references report commercial payment experiences to Dun & Bradstreet. When accepted by D&B, those payment experiences may become part of a company’s business credit file and may affect certain D&B scores and ratings.
Organizations enrolling in the Apple Developer Program generally need a D-U-N-S Number so Apple can verify their identity and legal entity status. Individuals do not need a D-U-N-S Number for individual enrollment, and Apple does not require one for government organizations.
Who Is Eligible for a DUNS Number?
Businesses of many sizes and legal structures can request a D-U-N-S Number, including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, sole proprietorships, nonprofits, and government entities. D-U-N-S Numbers are used internationally and are associated with specific business locations. Requests are subject to Dun & Bradstreet’s verification and acceptance process.
A D-U-N-S Number is a business identifier and is not issued as a personal identification number to individuals who are not operating a business.
Who Needs a DUNS Number?
A D-U-N-S Number is not required for every business. However, you may need or benefit from one if your company:
- Applies for business credit or financing with a lender that uses Dun & Bradstreet information.
- Wants to become a vendor or supplier for a company that requires a D-U-N-S Number.
- Works with business partners or creditors that use D&B data for verification or risk assessment.
- Bids on certain local, international, or non-federal contracts where a D-U-N-S Number is requested.
- Enrolls in certain business programs, marketplaces, or platforms that use D-U-N-S Numbers for organization verification.
- Wants to establish and maintain a business profile within Dun & Bradstreet’s global database.
Whether you actually need a D-U-N-S Number depends on the requirements of the organization you plan to work with.
Should I Get a DUNS Number?
To be honest, your business can benefit from the DUNS number. Whether you should get a D-U-N-S Number depends on how you plan to use your company. It can be useful if a lender, supplier, business partner, marketplace, developer program, or other organization asks for one to identify your business or access D&B information. However, simply obtaining a D-U-N-S Number does not prove creditworthiness or guarantee access to loans or credit.
Some platform and supplier programs may also require a D-U-N-S Number. For example, D&B currently identifies Walmart Warehouse Supplier and Drop Ship Vendor onboarding as use cases where applicants may be asked to provide one. Requirements vary by program, so always check the platform’s current onboarding rules.
How Do You Get a DUNS Number?
We know you may be thinking now about how to get this number. The very first step in this procedure is to be sure that D&B has not already created a DUNS number for you. If your business has an existing DUNS number, you can confirm your identity to gain access to your credit report and update your financial records.
Depending on the application type, Dun & Bradstreet may request information such as:
- Legal business name
- Business address
- Business phone number
- Name of the business owner, president, or CEO
- Legal business structure
- Year the business was established
- Primary business industry
- Total number of full-time and part-time employees
D&B may contact you to validate the submitted information. Once the information has been authenticated, the D-U-N-S Number is sent by email.
Benefits of Having a DUNS Number
The DUNS number brings many benefits to the customer, such as:
- A D-U-N-S Number identifies your company within D&B and can be the first step toward establishing a D&B business credit file.
- You can use your D-U-N-S Number to identify and review your D&B business profile and available business credit information.
- Your D-U-N-S Number connects to your D&B business credit file, but building a strong credit profile depends on the business information and payment experiences reported to D&B.
- Some lenders, suppliers, and potential partners may use your D-U-N-S Number to identify your company and access available D&B information when evaluating financial risk or a potential business relationship.
- Organizations enrolling in the Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program generally use a D-U-N-S Number as part of Apple’s legal-entity verification process. Individual Apple Developer enrollment does not require one, and government organizations are exempt from the D-U-N-S requirement.
- D&B currently identifies Walmart Warehouse Supplier and Drop Ship Vendor enrollment as examples of programs where applicants are required to provide a D-U-N-S Number along with other corporate information.
- Some certificate authorities may use D&B information as one method of validating an organization for OV or EV SSL/TLS certificates. For example, SSL.com states that providing an accurate D-U-N-S Number may help expedite its organization-validation process.
Can I Use a DUNS Number as an Alternative to My Social Security Number?
A D-U-N-S Number is not a substitute for an EIN, SSN, ITIN, or other identification that a lender may require. Financing providers establish their own identity, underwriting, guarantor, and documentation requirements. The D-U-N-S Number primarily helps identify the business and connect it with its D&B business profile.
How Does the DUNS Number Impact My Business?
Are you wondering now how a DUNS number impacts a business? A D-U-N-S Number can be useful when dealing with organizations that use D&B information for vendor onboarding, credit decisions, due diligence, or business verification.
Establishing trust with your suppliers and customers is crucial for your business’s reputation and success, which could help you negotiate better deals and save money. If your D&B business credit file contains strong scores, ratings, and payment history, lenders, suppliers, or vendors may consider that information when setting credit terms or evaluating your company. The D-U-N-S Number itself does not create those scores or guarantee favorable terms.
So it’s something to consider for levelling up your business!
If you’re still confused, you can talk to a business expert who can give you proper guidance and tell you whether it would be helpful for you to get a DUNS number for free. If you expect to work with an organization that requires a D-U-N-S Number, requesting one in advance may help you avoid onboarding delays. Otherwise, check the specific organization’s requirements before applying.
Key Takeaways
- A D-U-N-S Number is a free, unique nine-digit business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet and used globally to identify businesses and connect them to D&B business information.
- A D-U-N-S Number is no longer required for U.S. federal contracts, grants, or SAM.gov entity identification. Federal awards use the Unique Entity ID (UEI), while certain private companies, suppliers, lenders, marketplaces, and non-federal organizations may still request D-U-N-S Numbers.
- Businesses of many types can request a D-U-N-S Number, including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, nonprofits, and government organizations, subject to D&B verification.
- A DUNS Number is NOT a substitute for an SSN or EIN, they serve entirely different purposes.
- A standard D-U-N-S Number request is free through Dun & Bradstreet. Normal processing can take up to 30 business days, while D&B currently offers a paid expedited option with delivery within eight business days after successful submission.
FAQ on Everything You Need to Know About DUNS Numbers for Business
Q1: Who issues the DUNS number?
Answer: DUNS numbers are issued by Dun & Bradstreet.
Q2: What is Dun & Bradstreet?
Answer: Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) is a company that gathers and disseminates data about companies worldwide.
Q3: How much does a DUNS number cost?
Answer: There is no charge for a standard D-U-N-S Number request through Dun & Bradstreet. Optional expedited processing may be available for a fee.
Q4: How do I look up my DUNS number?
Answer: You can use Dun & Bradstreet’s official D-U-N-S Number Lookup tool to search for your company and retrieve an existing D-U-N-S Number.
Q5: How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
Answer: D&B states that standard processing can take up to 30 business days. A paid expedited option is currently available that can provide the D-U-N-S Number within eight business days after successful submission.
Q6: Do I need a DUNS number for my LLC?
Answer: Not simply because you have an LLC. A D-U-N-S Number is not required to form or operate an LLC. However, a lender, supplier, marketplace, developer program, business partner, or other organization may request one as part of its own onboarding or verification process.
Wrapping Up
In summary, a D-U-N-S Number gives your business a unique identity within Dun & Bradstreet’s database and connects it to its D&B business profile. It may be useful when dealing with lenders, suppliers, marketplaces, developer programs, or other organizations that rely on D&B information. However, the number itself is not a credit score, does not guarantee financing, and is not required for every business.
That’s all. If your organization requires a D-U-N-S Number, check first whether one has already been assigned and use Dun & Bradstreet’s official website for current application information.
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