How to Get a DUNS Number for Your Business

Quick Take

Getting a DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System identifier) is free, takes about 20 minutes to apply, and you’ll have your nine-digit business identifier within 30 days. If you plan to work with government agencies, large corporations, or apply for business loans, you’ll likely need one — and the application process is straightforward once you know what information to have ready.

Before You Start

What You’ll Need

You’ll need your business’s basic information ready before starting the application:

Legal business name (exactly as filed with your state)
Business address (not a P.O. Box — use your registered address or physical location)
Mailing address (if different from business address)
Phone number associated with your business
Business type (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, etc.)
Primary business activity and industry
Date your business started operations
Number of employees (if it’s just you, enter 1)
Annual sales volume (your best estimate is fine)

If you’re applying for a subsidiary or branch location, you’ll also need the parent company’s DUNS number.

How Long This Takes

The application itself takes about 20 minutes if you have all your information ready. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) will create your DUNS number within 30 business days for the free application. You can pay for expedited processing, but most businesses don’t need to rush this.

Why This Matters for Your Business

A DUNS number is essentially a credit report for your business. Government contractors must have one to bid on federal contracts. Many large corporations require vendors to have DUNS numbers before they’ll work with you. Banks often ask for one when you apply for business loans or credit lines.

Even if you don’t need one immediately, getting your DUNS number early helps establish your business credit history. D&B uses this identifier to track your business’s credit and payment history, which becomes important as you grow.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Go to the Official D&B Website

Navigate to dnb.com and look for “Get a D-U-N-S Number” or search for “DUNS number request.”

Watch out for impostor sites that charge fees for what should be a free service. The official D&B application is free, though they’ll try to upsell you on credit monitoring services.

Step 2: Choose “Create a Free D-U-N-S Number”

You’ll see options for free and paid applications. Select the free option unless you genuinely need your number within 24-48 hours (which costs several hundred dollars).

Click “Get Started” on the free D-U-N-S Number option.

Step 3: Search for Your Business

D&B will first search to see if your business already has a DUNS number. Enter your:

Business name
Phone number
Business address

If D&B finds a potential match, review it carefully. If it’s your business, you can request access to manage that existing record. If not, continue with creating a new number.

Step 4: Enter Your Business Information

Fill out the application form with your business details:

Business Identity Section:

Legal business name (match your articles of organization or Incorporation exactly)
Trade name or DBA if different from legal name
Business address (physical location, not P.O. Box)
Mailing address if different

Business Details Section:

Business start date
Legal structure (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Industry/business type
Primary business activity description
Number of employees at this location
Annual sales volume

Contact Information:

Your name and title
Phone number
Email address

Step 5: Review and Submit

Double-check all information before submitting. Errors here can delay your application significantly because D&B may need to verify details that don’t match public records.

Pay special attention to:

Business name spelling and format
Address formatting
Phone number accuracy

Click “Submit Application” when everything looks correct.

Step 6: Confirm Your Application

D&B will show you a confirmation screen with a reference number. Write this number down — you’ll need it if you have to follow up on your application.

You should also receive a confirmation email within a few minutes at the email address you provided.

Verify It Worked

What to Expect

Within 1-2 business days, D&B will send you an email confirming they’ve received your application and begun processing it. This email will include your reference number.

Within 30 business days (usually much faster), you’ll receive another email with your nine-digit DUNS number. This email will also include basic instructions for accessing your D&B business profile.

How to Check Your Status

If you haven’t heard back within a week, you can check your application status:

1. Go to dnb.com
2. Look for “Check Application Status”
3. Enter your reference number and contact information
4. Review the status update

What to Do If It Doesn’t Work

If you don’t receive confirmation within 48 hours: Check your spam folder, then call D&B customer service at the number provided on their website.

If your application is rejected: This usually happens because D&B found conflicting information. They’ll email you explaining what needs to be corrected. Common issues include address mismatches with state business records or duplicate business names in their system.

If processing takes longer than 30 days: Contact D&B with your reference number. Sometimes applications get stuck if they need manual verification.

Common Mistakes

1. Using Inconsistent Business Names

The mistake: Applying with a business name that doesn’t exactly match your state registration.

Why it happens: Many businesses operate under DBAs or shortened names, but D&B needs your official legal name.

How to avoid it: Use the exact business name from your Articles of Organization or Incorporation. If you do business under a different name, list that as your trade name.

2. Providing P.O. Box Addresses

The mistake: Using a P.O. Box as your business address.

Why it happens: Some businesses only have P.O. Boxes for mail.

How to avoid it: Use your registered agent address, your home address (for home-based businesses), or your actual business location. Put the P.O. Box in the mailing address field if needed.

3. Paying for “Expedited” Services You Don’t Need

The mistake: Paying hundreds of dollars for rush processing when there’s no deadline.

Why it happens: Third-party sites and D&B’s own upsells make it seem urgent.

How to avoid it: Unless you have a specific contract or application deadline within 30 days, use the free service. Most businesses can wait a few weeks.

4. Incomplete Industry Information

The mistake: Being too vague about what your business does.

Why it happens: New businesses sometimes aren’t sure how to categorize themselves.

How to avoid it: Be specific about your primary business activity. “Consulting” isn’t enough — describe what kind of consulting. “Digital marketing consulting for small businesses” is much better.

5. Not Keeping Records

The mistake: Forgetting to save the reference number or confirmation emails.

Why it happens: The application feels “done” once you submit it.

How to avoid it: Create a business file for important numbers and documents. You’ll need your DUNS number for future applications, and the reference number helps if there are any issues.

What to Do Next

Monitor Your Business Credit Profile

Once you have your DUNS number, D&B will start building a credit file for your business. Check your profile every few months to ensure the information is accurate. Incorrect data can hurt your business credit score.

Use Your DUNS Number for Applications

Now you can complete applications that require a DUNS number:

Government contract registrations (SAM.gov)
Large corporate vendor applications
Business loan and credit applications
Grant applications

Consider Additional Business Credit Steps

Your DUNS number is just the start of building business credit. You’ll also want to:

open business bank accounts in your company name
Apply for business credit cards
Establish trade credit with suppliers
Monitor your business credit reports from all three commercial bureaus (D&B, Experian, Equifax)

Keep Your Information Updated

If your business changes addresses, names, or structure, update your D&B profile. Outdated information can cause problems when others try to verify your business details.

FAQ

How much does a DUNS number cost?
Getting a DUNS number is completely free through D&B’s standard process. Avoid third-party sites that charge fees for this service. D&B offers expedited processing for a fee, but most businesses don’t need the rush service.

How long is a DUNS number valid?
DUNS numbers don’t expire, but D&B may mark them inactive if your business closes or stops operating. Keep your business information updated to maintain an active status.

Can I get a DUNS number before forming my LLC or corporation?
You should form your business entity first. D&B will verify your business information against state records, and the process goes much smoother when your business is already officially registered.

What’s the difference between a DUNS number and an EIN?
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) comes from the IRS and is used for tax purposes. A DUNS number comes from D&B and is used for credit reporting and business identification. You need both for most business purposes.

Can I use the same DUNS number for multiple business locations?
Each physical business location typically needs its own DUNS number. However, if you’re operating multiple locations under the same legal entity, contact D&B to discuss the best approach for your specific situation.

Conclusion

Getting your DUNS number is one of those administrative tasks that feels more complicated than it actually is. The application takes less than half an hour, it’s free, and having it opens doors for government contracting, corporate partnerships, and business financing opportunities.

The key is being prepared with accurate business information and using the official D&B website rather than paying unnecessary fees to third parties. Once you submit your application, the waiting period gives you time to focus on other aspects of building your business.

At TrustedLegal.com, we’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs handle the foundational paperwork that makes everything else possible — from filing your LLC or corporation with the state to getting your EIN and providing registered agent service. We understand that administrative tasks like DUNS number applications are just one piece of building a legitimate, compliant business that can grow and take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Our clients appreciate having expert guidance through the maze of business formation requirements, with transparent pricing and real support when questions come up. Get started today and let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on what you do best.