Source: https://rivet.global/blog/duns-number Published: 2026-10-16 · Updated: 2026-10-16 · By William Sunjo M. # What is a D-U-N-S Number, and do you need one? A D-U-N-S Number is a free nine-digit business ID from Dun & Bradstreet. Apple and Google require one for company developer accounts. How to get one free. ## Key takeaways - A D-U-N-S Number is a free, nine-digit identifier for a business entity, issued by Dun & Bradstreet. - Apple requires one to enrol an organisation in the Apple Developer Program; Google requires one for organisation developer accounts on Google Play. - US federal contractors no longer need one; SAM.gov switched to the Unique Entity ID in 2022. - The legal name and address on your D-U-N-S record must match your official registration. - The free route can take up to 30 business days; paid options are faster but optional. 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? | Who | Why | |---|---| | Apple Developer Program | Required to enrol as an organisation, so the app shows the company as seller | | Google Play | Required for organisation developer accounts under identity verification | | Large companies | Supplier onboarding and risk checks | | Some marketplaces and B2B platforms | Seller verification | | Some state and foreign governments | Vendor registration | 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](/blog/proof-of-address-for-business-bank-account) and [KYB documents](/blog/kyb-documents-to-open-a-business-account). ## 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](/accounts) in their own name, so app store payouts arrive in the currency they were earned in. ## Questions ### Is a D-U-N-S Number free? Yes. Dun & Bradstreet issues D-U-N-S Numbers free of charge. It also sells expedited processing and credit products, which you do not need for the number itself. ### How long does it take to get a D-U-N-S Number? Up to 30 business days through the free route. Apple's developer lookup tool can request one for you, and Apple notes it can take up to five business days for the number to work with them after issue. ### Do I need a D-U-N-S Number for a government contract? Not for US federal awards. Since April 2022, SAM.gov assigns a Unique Entity ID instead. Some state and foreign government buyers still ask for a D-U-N-S. ### Can a company outside the US get a D-U-N-S Number? Yes. D-U-N-S Numbers are issued worldwide. Your company's legal name and registered address must match its official registration in your country.