How To Get a D-U-N-S Number

Did you know that a D-U-N-S Number is the most widely used number for identifying companies in the United States? Did you also know that most suppliers and creditors alike pull a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) credit check on your business when you apply for credit?

Dun and Bradstreet (D&B), a business credit rating company, issues its own nine-digit number, called a D-U-N-S Number, to make it easy for it to track over 100 million businesses worldwide. You must obtain a D-U-N-S Number if you apply for a federal contract, grant, or an interest-free America;s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan from the Small Business Administration. You need a separate number for each physical location of your business.

How to get your D-U-N-S Number

To determine whether your company has a D-U-N-S Number already or if you need to obtain one, please use the D&B iUpdate service. iUpdate is Dun & Bradstreet's Internet-based service that allows business principals to view, print, and request updates for their company information. iUpdate also has a search function that allows you to search for and obtain the D-U-N-S Numbers of your business location(s).

  1. Access iUpdate here.

  2. If your company is already registered in iUpdate, login and you can access your location's or locations' profile(s). Your D-U-N-S Number will appear as part of the profile(s) on your company(s) and you can disregard the remaining steps in this guide. If you are not registered in iUpdate, please select "Get a D-U-N-S Number" in the bottom left corner of the page.

  3. Answer "No" when asked: "Are you currently attempting to do business with or receive funds from a U.S. Government Agency?" If you are a government contractor registered in SAM (formerly known as CCR), answer "Yes." You will be redirected to the application for businesses seeking to enter into contracts with the Federal Government to provide goods and services.

  4. The search function on the left-hand side of the page will allow you to search for your business location using its name, city, and state. A list of search results will appear on the right-hand side of the page.

If your company is already in Dun & Bradstreet&'s database, it will appear here. Select your company from the list and follow the on-screen instructions to register in iUpdate. You will be asked a series of questions to confirm your own identity and your connection to the company whose records you are accessing. Please note that Dun & Bradstreet does not own, collect, or store your personal data; Dun & Bradstreet uses commercially available individual identity matching technology to ensure that your identity is not being used fraudulently. Once you are registered in iUpdate, you will be allowed to view your location's D-U-N-S® Number and access and update your business's information.

How to Apply for a D-U-N-S Number

If your business did not appear in the list of search results, first check the information you entered into the search. If this information is correct and your business still does not appear in the results field, your company is missing from the Dun & Bradstreet database. Click on the "Get a D-U-N-S Number" arrow in the bottom left-hand corner of the page and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need the following information to obtain a D-U-N-S Number:

Your Contact Information

  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Title at this Business
  • Business Email Address
  • Business Telephone Number

Your Identity Validation Details

  • Physical Home Address
  • Home City
  • Home State
  • Home Country
  • Home Telephone Number
  • Home Zip

Your Identity Validation Details

  • Name of Business (Full Legal Name)
  • Business Address (Including Suite or Floor #)
  • City, State, Zip Code
  • Local Phone Number
  • Legal Structure of the Business (Corporation, Partnership, etc.)
  • Year Business Started
  • Executive Principal (First and Last Name, Title, Email Address)
  • Antecedents (Name, Year of Birth)
  • Select SIC/NAICS Code(s) (e.g. Drug Manufacturer)
  • Total Number of Employees (Including Principals, and Part-time)

You will receive a confirmation e-mail from Dun & Bradstreet with any additional information required to obtain your entity's D-U-N-S Number and may be contacted by Dun & Bradstreet to verify your information. There is no charge for this service.

If you experience problems with the iUpdate service, please call 1-800-234-3867. When prompted, ask about "getting a D-U-N-S Number."