Home DUNS numbers How to Get a D-U-N-S Number for Your Business

How to Get a D-U-N-S Number for Your Business

A step-by-step walkthrough of getting a D-U-N-S Number from Dun & Bradstreet. It is free, it is issued once, and you request it yourself.

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Business owners can request a D-U-N-S Number from Dun & Bradstreet themselves. Here is how to get a D-U-N-S Number for your business, in order, with nothing to buy along the way.

Before you apply: check whether your business already has one

Start with the D-U-N-S Lookup tool on D&B's site. You can look up your own company or any other firm with it. A number may already exist for your business.

D&B says you can check whether your business already has a D-U-N-S Number using its lookup tool. If you find your number, you can skip the request step entirely and move straight to keeping your record current. If nothing comes up, go on to the request.

You can read more about how to check a DUNS number before you start.

Who can get one

D&B says businesses of many types can get a D-U-N-S Number. S-Corps, partnerships, and LLCs all qualify.

One rule matters if you run more than one site. D&B says a business with multiple locations should apply for a separate D-U-N-S Number for each location. Two shops in two towns means two numbers, one for each address.

The request process

The request goes to D&B, and D&B says getting a D-U-N-S Number is free.

It is issued just once, so the one you receive is the one your business keeps.

What it costs

Nothing. D&B is plain about this: getting a D-U-N-S Number is free, and it can be obtained at no cost. There is never a requirement to purchase any product or service to obtain, use, or maintain the number. Not now, not later.

If someone tells you a package is required, that is not accurate. You can read more about the DUNS number free policy on its own page.

Are you required to have one?

No. D&B says there is no requirement for a company to have a D-U-N-S Number. What the number does is establish your business in the Dun & Bradstreet database so others can confirm it is an active business. If you want the full picture of that, see what a DUNS number is used for.

After the number is issued

The number never expires and it never changes. D&B says this holds even if the business closes or is purchased. You will not need to renew it, and a new owner does not get a fresh one.

The record behind the number is worth your attention after that. U.S.-based non-public companies can view and request updates to their business information for free through D-U-N-S Manager. You submit a change, D&B reviews it, and it may be accepted after verification. All of this is free too.

For a wider view of the number and how it fits your company, see the D-U-N-S number for business page.

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