What is a D-U-N-S Number, and do you need one?

If you have tried to publish an app under your company's name, you have probably been asked for a D-U-N-S Number. Many founders hear of it for the first time on that screen, and the number is free to get.

What is a D-U-N-S Number?

A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier that Dun & Bradstreet assigns to a business entity, sometimes to each location separately. D&B uses it to keep a profile of the business: legal name, address, industry, and, if available, financial and payment information. Other organisations use the number to check that a company is real and is who it says it is.

Who asks for one?

US federal contracting no longer uses it. In April 2022, SAM.gov replaced the D-U-N-S with a Unique Entity ID it assigns itself.

How do you get one for free?

1. Check whether your company already has one. D&B creates records from public data, so many registered companies do.
2. If you need it for Apple, use Apple's D-U-N-S lookup tool in the developer site. It can find your number or submit a free request on your behalf.
3. Otherwise, request it through Dun & Bradstreet's free D-U-N-S request page for your country.
4. Enter your legal name and registered address exactly as on your company registration.
5. Wait for D&B's confirmation. The free route can take up to 30 business days.

D&B will offer paid expedited service. It is optional.

Why do D-U-N-S applications get stuck?

Almost always a mismatch. If the legal name, address or company type on your D-U-N-S record differs from your registration certificate or what you entered with Apple or Google, verification fails. Common causes are a trading name instead of the legal name, an old address, or a registered agent's address for a US LLC being treated as the business address. Fix the D&B record first, then try again.

Does a D-U-N-S Number build business credit?

The number links to a D&B business credit file. Suppliers that report to D&B can add payment history, which builds a score that some lenders and suppliers check. Having the number does not create credit by itself.

What else do platforms check?

The same mismatch problem shows up with banks and payment providers. Your legal name, registered address and owners should match across your registration, your bank account and every platform. See proof of address for a business bank account and KYB documents.

Getting paid by app stores

Apple and Google pay developer proceeds to a bank account in the organisation's legal name. Rivet gives registered companies USD, EUR and GBP account details in their own name, so app store payouts arrive in the currency they were earned in.