What is a DUNS number?
A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for a business created by credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet. Dun & Bradstreet is one of the three most common business credit bureaus. DUNS numbers have become the standard numbering system to identify businesses across the globe. The Data Universal Numbering System—or DUNS number—was created and copyrighted in 1962 by Dun & Bradstreet.
Just as your social security number reveals a lot about you—your bank accounts, tax returns, credit scores, residences, etc., your DUNS number reveals similar information about your business.
How can a D-U-N-S number help me?
Here are 4 ways a DUNS number can help you:
- Establish business creditworthiness. Your DUNS number is directly tied to the credit profile D&B builds on your business. In fact, to even have a D&B PAYDEX score, (you can check yours with Nav) you’ll need a DUNS number. need a When vendors or suppliers look up your business credit profile because they are considering doing business with you, or a lender who is considering lending to your business, they’ll want to see a credit history. Keep in mind that your credit profile won’t be much use to you (and can actually harm you) until you begin establishing a strong business credit history.
- Safeguard your personal creditworthiness. When you don’t have a DUNS number tied to your business credit profile, you’ll need to depend more on your personal credit for business purposes. This can harm your personal credit if you make late payments or keep high amounts of business debt.
- Bid on government contracts. Local, state, and federal contracting opportunities will likely require your business to have a DUNS number. Any contracting opportunity in the System for Award Management (SAM) will require a DUNS number to apply.
- Get longer terms with your suppliers. If you can prove to vendors and suppliers that you are a creditworthy business, they will be more likely to offer you longer trade terms, like net-30 or even net-90 day terms. The best way to do this is by establishing business credit history tied to your DUNS number.
Who is Dun & Bradstreet?
Your DUNS number only reveals credit information gathered by one credit bureau—Dun & Bradstreet. Originally known as the Mercantile Agency, Dun & Bradstreet is one of America’s oldest companies. Its founder, Lewis Tappan, created it in 1841 for the purpose of helping merchants establish the creditworthiness of potential customers.
Today, Dun & Bradstreet keeps track of over 265 million businesses worldwide. Over 100 million of those businesses have been assigned a DUNS number. The federal government adopted the DUNS number as its principal business identifier in 1994.
In 1998, the DUNS number was incorporated as the federal government’s contractor identification code. This means that companies without a DUNS number cannot do business with the federal government. This makes a DUNS number invaluable for many small businesses, since government contracts are often stable, lucrative sources of income.
Is a DUNS number the same as a Federal tax ID number?
A DUNS number is different from your federal tax ID (EIN) number. A DUNS number is used for business credit reporting purposes, whereas an EIN is issued by the IRS and used for tax identification purposes.
How do I look up my DUNS number?
Before you apply for a DUNS number, check to see if your business already has one. If you are a Nav customer, you can do this via the BusinessLauncher tool in your profile. Here, you’ll be connected to a lookup tool that search for your business using either your company name and address, or your company’s telephone number.
How to get a DUNS number
Apply here to get a DUNS number. Once you’ve applied, you’ll likely get a call from a D&B representative to help you through the process, and you’ll receive your DUNS number within 30 days. For quicker service, you can use DUNSFile to get it in less than five business days, but it will cost you $229.
Applying for a DUNS number is a simple process, but it does require you to first establish your business as a legal entity (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, etc) with your state. Inside the application, you’ll need to provide information like your legal name, the name of your business’ headquarters and address of your business, your telephone number, whether you’re a home-based business, and the number of employees at your physical location.
If you want your number fast, you can use the DUNSFile service to get it in less than five business days, but it will cost you $229.
The more you learn about business financing—including the importance of business credit cards and business tradelines and how reporting to the business credit bureaus is a key factor to the growth of your company—the more your DUNS number will work in your favor.
This article was updated on 02/15/18
Additional Business Credit Resources:
https://wp.staging.nav.com/business-credit-scores/faq/
https://wp.staging.nav.com/resource/what-is-bad-credit-score/
https://wp.staging.nav.com/business-credit-scores/insights/
This article was originally written on February 15, 2018 and updated on May 5, 2020.
I’m building up inventory for a Art’s and Craft’s home base business.
I’m looking forward to applying for a”DUNS”number in the very near future for”Raayas Art’s and Craft’s” in albany georgia soon.
Thank you.
Hi,
We are into automotive business and would like to expand our business operation s in US
I currently work overseas but am employed by the Federal government. We left the state of Virginia but do not have an address there until we return. Recently my spouse was hired for a job but needs a DUNS number because the job is an independent contracting job. How does she complete the DUNS application if we do not have a physical address in Virginia?
You do need a physical address in the US for your DUNS number. One alternative is to open a virtual mailbox with a physical address.
I need info on a net 30 or net 60 account
I need an organization DUNSnumber
It has never been clear to me why a Duns Number is FREE yet to ‘get it fast’ you need to pay for it. Not about the speed of delivery – per se’, but what about HAVING the Duns number requires any urgency at all? Is there any other value to paying? Is the number more special? Comes with more advantages if you pay? I have never understood this because there are SO MANY promotions offering the paid version of Duns.
Generally when people need one urgently it’s because they are applying for a government contract or grant with an impending deadline.(Or possibly for a business loan or business deal that requires it.) Otherwise, you are correct: no need to get it faster than the usual 30 days. We recommend business owners request a D-U-N-S number early on so it’s taken care of and they can start building business credit.
I am planning to import a food products from China,it is a well packaged brown sugar can use hot water to dissolve it & use as beverages for refreshment–individual square bar that is wrapped w/ sealed wax paper & store inside an aluminium cartoon that can contain up to 25 pieces of this square bars.
Would you please let me know how can I can DUNS number & the other prerequisite conditions that I may need before buying the products .
By the way I am also in the process of getting FDA approval for this product.
I also has a company registered under LLC since 2014 w/ EIN number as well.
You can get a D-U-N-S number through D&B or through your free Nav account. As far as other prerequisites, I’d recommend you make an appointment with your local SBDC or SCORE office for free guidance. Use the SBA local assistance locator to find your local office.
I need a D-U-N-S business number
Marcia,
You can either apply directly at the Dun & Bradstreet website or through your Nav account. If you have a Nav account and are having trouble with the process, you can reach out to our customer service team.
To whom it may concern,
Please itemize required steps to obtain a DUN Number.
I believe I have a DUNS number but my business is not showing up in the search. If I have the number, is there a way for me to search for it?
The D-U-N-S number lookup is by business name. You may want to try their live chat to see if they can help you find your business.
It only gives you 3 choices Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or Corporation to apply under. If I am a LLC which one do I apply under?
Hello. US Navy, local finance dept, says I need a DUNS number in order for USN personnel to attend a training session that is being offered by our 501.c.6 membership organization. My question is “do 501.c orgs need DUNS numbers?
It sounds like it’s required so I’d recommend you get one. Yes, non-profits can get a D&B D-U-N-S number.
Am I able to get loans with the duns number
When you build business credit, you may be able to get funding without using your personal guarantee. The most common type to start with is supplier/vendor credit. You’ll find examples in this article: 3 Vendors That Will Help You Build Business Credit
Thanks for the article! Do you know if I can get a DUNS for my business if I do not have a SSN, and I am a minor?
You don’t need a Social Security number and to my knowledge your age is not a factor as this is business credit, not personal credit.
Please help me
How can I get my D&B Number
We are a Mexican contractor
And a customer is requiring us the D&B number
Generally to get a D-U-N-S number in the US you need to have a US based business. If you do not, I recommend you request your D-U-N-S number through
Cial Dun & Bradstreet. Let us know how that goes for you!
I am looking to receive certification that I am a “WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS”.
My business was established as a LLC. i have been in business for 6 months with very credible sales.
I have an office established solely at home and have one women who is an independent sales contractor that does not work at my location. I do already have my EIN number, California Re-Sale Certificate, CA Sellers Certificate,/Permit , Department of Finance, Tax Collection and Licensing #, LLC 12 Digit Secretary of State Articles of Organization File Number, Fictitious Business Statement Business and Professions Code 17900 ET SEQ. What are my next steps to take in order to receive required Women Owned Diverse Certification. Numerous clients are requesting that I attain this certification along with a DUN #. PLEASE ADVISE!!
Proof for Fictitious Business Name Statements that has been published in the Daily Recorder.
Congrats Shelley on how much you’ve accomplished in a short period of time! For next steps, I’d recommend you:
1. Check to see whether your business is already has a D-U-N-S number. You can do this in one of two ways. If you have a Nav account (including a free account) you can see if there is a match for your business. If not, use Business Launcher (also free) to request your D-U-N-S number. Otherwise you can go directly to DNB’s site to search and request a D-U-N-S number.
2. Read our article How to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business. You’ll see both DIY and assisted options there. In addition, many Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free or low-cost assistance to become certified.
We wish you the best as you grow your business!
If I have more than one business starting should I use the same DUNS number or use a different one for each?
It depends. Are the businesses related? If so I would choose a primary business and establish credit with it. (For example you have several ec-ommerce businesses under the same legal umbrella with DBAs for each.) If your businesses share a similar address and you are the principal of all of them the credit reporting agencies will likely associate them.
On the other hand, if your business are completely different (a restaurant and an ecommerce business, for example), then I would recommend you establish credit separately for each.